The Look for Less: The Roger Vivier "Pilgrim" Shoe

In 1967 Catherine Deneuve slipped them on to trek to afternoon assignations in Belle de jour. The “Pilgrim” pump by Roger Vivier, designed to be worn with 60’s Mod fashion, quickly achieved iconic status. Four decades later, Inès de la Fressange makes them look fresh and chic again.

I’ll confess, the first time I saw these shoes, they were sitting on a department store shelf, uninspiring in color (navy?) and devoid of context. I dismissed them out of hand as frumpy and outdated, something for the wealthy birdlike matrons who tottered around Neiman Marcus on weekday afternoons. But recently I’ve been seeing them worn with more updated ensembles and they’ve grown on me.

Roger Vivier at ShopStyle

However, icons don’t come cheap. These shoes now retail for over $500 US per pair.

Maybe someday I’ll crack open my piggybank and purchase a pair, but not this year, not in this econony. Bien sur, these “inspired by” styles will never have the cachet of the real thing, but some are quite cute and all can be had for a fraction of the price les vrais.

Kenneth Cole:

Kenneth Cole at ShopStyle

Franco Sarto:

Franco Sarto at ShopStyle

Franco Sarto at ShopStyle

Stuart Weitzman:

Stuart Weitzman at ShopStyle

Me Too, Talbots and Vaneli:

Hey Pilgrim!
Hey Pilgrim! by deja pseu on Polyvore.com

More Vaneli:

VANELi at ShopStyle

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21 Comments

  1. I really like the Cole and Vanel versions, shoe needs a bit of heel to lift it from stodgy. And needs to be worn with narrow jeans (like Ines’) or sexy pencil skirt, not too seriously. Isn’t this also like those classic Ferragamo shoes? Thanks for all the choices, great scouting job!

  2. I wore the knockoffs decades ago. That leaves me still satisfied today, meaning I’ve had enough. I have trouble with functionless embellishments that are identical to pieces that normally do function.

  3. Whoot! The Cole and Sarto shoes are way on sale, at $87.50 and $66.75. But only up to size 9 and 9.5. I’m a 10 or 10.5 so will keep looking in stores here.

  4. I’m surprised to find that I like these — The Roger Vivier ones, that is. Like you, I previously would have found them a bit too matronly. Now I can see how they would be great to wear with a shift dress that’s above my knee enough that I don’t want to wear a high heel but that I want a bit more than a flat with. The kind of dress I wear flat chunky boots with through the winter, but need something else for when the weather gets a bit warmer. Like you, though, I’m not spending in that direction right now, but the inspiration’s fun, thanks!

  5. I am holding out for the real ones. I have had copy cats and I still want the real ones. I will save for them and hope that soon your shopping mojo will lead us to a sale shoe at Neiman’s.

  6. You have found a convincing selection of Vivier look alikes! Somehow I need a bit of adjusting to this model, maybe it is a bit too sixties, maybe a bit too `mature´to my taste. The height of the heel is sensible though.

  7. Vildy – normally the non-functional embellishments bug me too, but with most of these (and of course with the original) they’re simple enough be a nice accent without being distracting. Don’t get me started about bags with non-functioning zippers, outside pockets too small to fit anything bigger than a credit card…

    Duchesse – the Kenneth Cole shoe also comes in a grey patent. I like most of these better than the classic Ferragamo because of the square toe. Hope you find something that works for you!

  8. Northmoon – aren’t they fun? I love the purple suede and the futuristic take on the buckle.

    Rita – I think a small heel really is more comfortable than most flats.

    Dana – oui, c’est vrai.

  9. I bought two different pair last year – – knock-offs, of course. While they are cute, I find them uncomfortable and I feel clunky when I wear them. The heel is too “in-between” for me. I either want flats or a heel. But I do like the purple, wedge style you posted. I think I could do those.

  10. materfamilias – it seems as though a cute shorter heel is so hard to find these days!

    Sal – they’re insanely on sale…
    😉

    LBR – I’m trying to summon up all the Sale mojo I can.

  11. metscan – probably not a style for everyone. I think these have a certain sensibility that can easily cross into matronly territory. The trick, I think is to mix with more casual, modern pieces.

    Nancy – those are cute, aren’t they? I’ve been really tempted all day.

    Bonjour Madame – have you checked ebay for the sunglasses? It seems like there are so many really large ones available both retail and resale right now.

  12. Couture Allure – in the clip I posted, toward the end the other call girls and the male customer all make over her dress, how beautifully it’s cut, how well made. Only in France!

    Sher – Gucci definitely makes some fabulously classic shoes too.

  13. I loved Belle de Jour! Deneuve’s wardrobe was designed by a young Yves St. Laurent, and Vivier’s shoes worked beautifully with it.