The BY FAR look comes down to three shapes — a slim pointed kitten heel, a square-toe mule and a narrow ankle boot — and all three can be found in vegan versions for under $95. What you will not get at that price is BY FAR's leather or its exact models, and you should not want a copy anyway. What you can get is the same proportions: low heels, sharp toes, minimal hardware, a little bit of the 1990s.
The pages ranking for this search are mostly 2019–2022 roundups with prices that have since changed, and none of them mention that BY FAR is a leather brand with no vegan line. On its own euro store, BY FAR's shoes were listed from about €195 to €630 when we checked in September 2026. Below: who the brand is, what it does well, and an alternative for each signature shape.
Who is BY FAR?
BY FAR is a Bulgarian label founded in 2016 in Sofia by three friends — Valentina Ignatova, Denitsa Bumbarova and Sabina Gyosheva. It started with shoes, added leather bags in 2018, and later fragrance and clothing. It sells mainly online and through hundreds of stockists including Nordstrom and Net-a-Porter, with stores in Los Angeles, Shanghai and Beijing. The name comes from the initials of the founders' sons. The look is consistent: pared-back 90s shapes, low heels, pointed or square toes, in leather, suede and croc-embossed finishes.
BY FAR vs vegan alternatives at a glance
| BY FAR signature | What defines it | Vegan alternative | Our price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pointed kitten heel | Very narrow toe, low slim heel | Violetta Pointed Toe Kitten Heels | $74.99 |
| Slingback heel | Open back, sharp toe, mid heel | Mirelle Slingback Heels | $72.99 |
| Square-toe mule (the Tanya mood) | Open toe or square front, single strap, backless | Belvra Buckle Mule Heels | $58.99 |
| Pointed western-ish ankle boot | Slim shaft, sharp toe, stacked heel | Cassidy Pointed Toe Western Boots | $82.99 |
| Minimal ankle boot | Clean shaft, no hardware | Sabra Square Toe Ankle Boots | $92.99 |
1. The pointed kitten heel
This is the shape most people picture when they say BY FAR: a long, narrow pointed toe on a heel so low it is almost a flat. It works because the point elongates the foot while the low heel keeps it wearable for a full day. Wear it with straight jeans and a white shirt, or under a slip skirt with bare legs.
Violetta Pointed Toe Kitten Heels
Tapered toe, low refined heel and a clean black upper — the 90s kitten heel without ornament, EU 35–39.
Violetta Pointed Toe Kitten Heels
From the side the heel line is the point: low enough to walk in, slim enough to look dressed.
2. The slingback
BY FAR's slingbacks lean sharp and slightly severe. The vegan version to look for has a high-cut vamp, a strap that sits on the heel bone rather than below it, and a heel with some character. Ours uses an hourglass block heel, which is steadier than a stiletto and still reads sculptural.
Mirelle Black Slingback Heels
Squared toe, deep V vamp, crinkled patent-look finish and an hourglass block heel — sharp, but built to stand in.
Margot Mary Jane Slingback Pumps
A square-toe slingback pump with a soft elastic strap and a cut-out heel — the playful side of the same idea.
3. The square mule
The backless mule with a single strap and a low heel was one of the brand's breakout shapes. The things that matter in a lookalike: a squared front, a strap wide enough to hold the foot, and a heel low enough to walk without curling your toes. Wear it with wide trousers so only the front shows, or with a midi and bare ankles.
Belvra Buckle Mule Heels
Open square toe, one wide buckle strap and a low block heel — the minimal backless mule.
Vex Lace-Up Heel Mules
Pointed patent mule with a lace-up cage and a cut-out heel — for when you want the mule with more attitude.
4. The pointed ankle boot
BY FAR's boots tend to be slim through the shaft with a pointed toe and a stacked heel — part western, part 90s minimal. That combination makes a straight jean look tailored. A creased or slightly distressed finish adds to the lived-in effect.
Cassidy Pointed Toe Western Boots
Pointed toe, V-notched topline and a slanted stacked heel — the western line drawn thin, EU 34–40.
Sabra Square Toe Ankle Boots
Blunt square toe, slim tapered heel, no zip pull or buckle — the quiet minimal boot, EU 34–39.
Are BY FAR shoes worth it?
If you want leather, a specific named model and a design-led brand at the €195–630 tier, BY FAR is a credible choice: it built a real point of view on a small set of shapes and has been consistent about it for a decade. It is worth knowing what you are paying for — the leather, the brand and the exact last — and what you are not, which is a lot more wearability than a well-made shoe at a lower price.
If what you want is the silhouette and you prefer animal-free materials, a vegan alternative at a third of the price is the more sensible buy, especially for trend-driven shapes like the mule.
Sizing: what to check before you buy
| Shape | Fit risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pointed kitten heel | Toes squeezed by the taper | Measure in cm; if between sizes, go up |
| Slingback | Strap slipping off the heel | True to size; add a small heel grip under the strap if needed |
| Mule | Foot sliding forward | True to size; the strap should sit snug across the widest part of the foot |
| Pointed ankle boot | Length used up by the point | True to size; size up if you plan thicker socks |
Most of our styles run EU 35–40, with Violetta, Vex and Sabra ending at 39 and Cassidy and Sabra starting at 34. Match the centimeter figure on each product page rather than converting from US.
Care
- Smooth and patent-look vegan finishes: wipe with a damp cloth, dry away from heat.
- Creased or crinkled finishes: the texture is intentional; do not try to buff it flat.
- Heels: replace heel tips before they wear down to the block.
- Storage: keep pointed toes stuffed with paper so the tip does not collapse.
BY FAR, Miista and us
BY FAR is often mentioned alongside Miista as the two independent European labels that defined the off-beat, slightly retro shoe of the late 2010s. Miista leans more sculptural and costs more, roughly $225–940 on its US store in 2026; BY FAR is cleaner and more 90s. Both work in leather, and both are good at what they do — BY FAR particularly for a sharp low heel that people actually wear.
We are not either of them, and none of our shoes copies a named model. We make the shapes this aesthetic is built on — pointed kitten heels, slingbacks, mules and slim boots — in vegan materials between $58.99 and $92.99, with free shipping from $90. For more lookalikes in this lane, see brands like Miista.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a BY FAR shoes dupe?
There are many shoes with BY FAR's proportions — pointed kitten heels, square mules, slim pointed boots. Look for the shape rather than a copy of a named model.
Are BY FAR shoes vegan?
No vegan line was found. BY FAR describes itself as a leather goods brand and uses leather, suede and embossed leather.
Where is BY FAR from?
Sofia, Bulgaria. The brand was founded there in 2016 by three friends.
How much do BY FAR shoes cost?
On its euro store, shoes were listed from about €195 to €630 in September 2026, including sale items. Prices vary by store and currency.
What brands are similar to BY FAR?
Miista is the most common comparison for independent, slightly retro designer shoes. For vegan shapes in the same spirit, our kitten heels, slingbacks, mules and boots are under $95.
Are kitten heels still in style in 2026?
Yes. The low pointed heel has stayed in rotation because it is practical as well as sharp.
Read next
- Brands Like Miista: Sculptural Heels Compared by Price (2026)
- How to Wear Kitten Heels in 2026: Outfits for Work, Weddings and Weekends, With a Heel-Height Guide
- How to Style Mules in 2026: 11 Outfits for Buckle, Lace-Up and Jelly Mules (Plus How to Stop Heel Slip)
See every low heel in kitten heels and pumps, the open-back styles in mule heels, and the slim boots in boots.