If you love NEOUS for its sculpted heels and clean, geometric toes, look at aeyde and BY FAR at a slightly lower designer price, Toteme for a quieter version of the same minimalism, and vegan brands under $110 if you want the shape without the leather or the price. The key is to shop for the heel, because that is what makes a NEOUS shoe recognizable.
NEOUS is a London label founded in 2017 and made in Italy. Its own UK store listed styles from £295 to £1,085 when we checked in September 2026, and US retailers sell most flats and heels at roughly $500 to $850. Most "similar brands" lists online are general designer roundups with old prices. This one is about shoes only, with dated prices, fit notes and a vegan tier.
Brands like NEOUS at a glance
| Brand | Base | Why it is similar | Typical price (dated) | Vegan? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEOUS | London, made in Italy | Carved, geometric heels; square and almond toes | £295–1,085 on its UK store (Sept 2026); about $500–850 at US retailers (Oct 2026) | No — leather |
| aeyde | Berlin | Sleek almond toes, slim kitten and block heels | €175–995 on its own store (Sept 2026) | Mostly leather |
| BY FAR | Sofia, Bulgaria | Sculpted heels, playful shapes, slingbacks | €195–630 on its own store (Sept 2026) | Mostly leather |
| Toteme | Stockholm | Minimal slingbacks and kitten heels | About $450–700 for flats and slingbacks (Oct 2026) | No vegan line found |
| Lil Cacti | Independent | Sculpted heels, square toes, split-toe tabi | $58.99–$108.99 | Yes — all vegan |
Prices are shown in each store's own currency and are not converted; they change often, so check before you buy.
What makes a shoe look like NEOUS?
Three things. First, a heel that is a shape in its own right: a cylinder, a carved curve, an hourglass or a cut-out. Second, a geometric toe, often square or a sharp almond. Third, almost no decoration on the upper, so the heel and toe do all the work. Any brand on this list delivers at least two of the three.
Sculpted heels under $110
These are the shoes in our range that come closest to the architectural feel, all vegan.
The hourglass heel
A heel that narrows at the waist and flares at the base reads as sculpture before it reads as a shoe. A silver finish makes it the focal point of a plain black outfit.
Mirelle Black Slingback Heels
Polished silver hourglass heel under a square toe and deep V vamp — the closest thing we make to a carved heel.
Mirelle Black Slingback Heels
From the side, the heel's curve is the whole design.
The arched heel
A heel that bows backward changes the profile of the whole leg. It works best with cropped trousers or leggings, so the line is visible.
Nerissa Slingback Sandal Heels
An arched heel bowing back like a comma, with a square open toe. Sizes EU 34–44.
The cut-out heel
Heels with a hole through them look impossible and carry weight perfectly well. This is the most direct answer to a "statement heel" brief.
Margot Mary Jane Slingback Pumps
A sculptural cut-out heel on a square-toe mary jane with an elastic strap.
Vex Lace-Up Heel Mules
A pointed patent mule on a heel with a hole through the middle.
The sharp minimalist
For the quieter side of NEOUS, a pointed toe on a low heel with nothing else on it.
Violetta Pointed Toe Kitten Heels
A clean pointed kitten heel in black, for the days the heel should whisper.
The architectural toe
NEOUS shapes the heel; a tabi shapes the toe. If what you love is a shoe that looks like an object, a split toe on a slingback heel does the same job from the front.
Claudia Tabi Slingback Heels
A split-toe slingback heel that runs to EU 43.
Are NEOUS shoes worth it?
If you want Italian leather and a design that will still look distinctive in ten years, NEOUS is a fair luxury buy. The shapes are original, and the brand has stayed consistent rather than chasing trends. The question is how often you will wear them: a sculptural heel is often an occasion shoe, and at around $500 to $850 the cost per wear adds up. Many people buy one NEOUS pair and fill the rest of the rotation with lower-priced shoes in the same shape family.
How does NEOUS sizing compare?
| Brand | Sizing system | General fit advice |
|---|---|---|
| NEOUS | Italian (EU) | Generally true to size; between sizes, size up in closed styles and down in sandals. Some customers mention a tight instep. |
| aeyde | EU | Usually true to size; slim lasts |
| BY FAR | EU | Fit varies by last; check each style's chart |
| Lil Cacti | EU, most styles 35–40 | True to EU size; size up for closed heels if between sizes. Nerissa runs EU 34–44, Claudia to 43. |
Measure your foot in centimeters in the evening and compare with each brand's chart rather than converting from US sizes. For our split-toe styles, use the tabi sizing guide.
Caring for sculptural heels
- Metallic heels: wipe with a dry microfiber cloth; avoid abrasive cleaners that can scratch the finish.
- Patent and glossy vegan uppers: wipe with a damp cloth, then buff dry.
- Storage: keep each pair in its own bag so heels do not knock against each other, and stuff the toes to hold the shape.
- Heel tips: replace worn tips early; a cobbler can do it in minutes.
NEOUS, aeyde, BY FAR, Toteme and us
NEOUS is the most purely architectural of these brands: each design starts with the heel, and its Italian manufacturing shows in the finish. aeyde is the most wearable, with slim lasts and a broad range of flats and low heels. BY FAR is the most playful, with bold shapes and colors at a lower designer price. Toteme is the quietest, ideal if you like minimalism without a dramatic heel. All four work mainly in leather, and NEOUS does not offer a vegan line.
We make vegan shoes from $58.99 to $108.99, with sculpted, cut-out and arched heels plus split-toe tabi shapes none of these brands make. The finish is a vegan upper rather than Italian leather, and the trade-off is a fraction of the price. Free shipping starts at $90.
Frequently asked questions
What brands are similar to NEOUS?
aeyde, BY FAR and Toteme are the closest designer-level options. For vegan shoes with sculpted heels under $110, look at independent labels like ours.
Where is NEOUS from?
NEOUS is a London brand founded in 2017, with its shoes made in Italy.
Are NEOUS shoes vegan?
No. NEOUS works in leather and does not have a vegan line.
How much do NEOUS shoes cost?
Its UK store listed styles from £295 to £1,085 in September 2026. At US retailers most flats and heels sit around $500 to $850.
Do NEOUS shoes run true to size?
Generally yes, in Italian sizing. Between sizes, many retailers suggest sizing up in closed styles.
Is there a NEOUS dupe?
There is no exact copy, and there shouldn't be. Look for the same shape language — a sculpted heel and a geometric toe — from brands with their own designs.
Read next
- Brands Like Miista: Sculptural Heels Compared by Price (2026)
- aeyde Shoes Dupe? Vegan Alternatives to the Uma, Moa, Loafers and Boots (2026)
- BY FAR Shoes Dupe? Vegan Alternatives to the 90s Kitten Heel, Mule and Boot
See every sculpted heel in kitten heels and pumps.