The closest Reformation shoes dupe is not one shoe but a formula: a simple ballet flat, a square-toe slingback, a low kitten heel and a slim black boot, all in clean shapes with almost no decoration. You can find that formula at Sam Edelman, Dolce Vita and Madewell for about $100 to $140, and in vegan versions for under $95.
Reformation's shoes sit at roughly $228 to $278 for flats, mary janes and slingbacks and about $448 to $478 for boots, based on retailer listings we checked in October 2026. They are mostly animal leather, so the brand is not a vegan option. Search for alternatives and you get clothing lists, or reviews from 2019. This guide is only about shoes, with dated prices and a style-by-style match.
Reformation shoes vs the alternatives
| Brand | Typical flat or low heel price | Main material | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reformation | About $228–278; boots about $448–478 (Oct 2026) | Animal leather | Minimal ballet flats, slingbacks, slim boots |
| Sam Edelman | About $120–140 | Mostly leather | Classic flats and mary janes |
| Dolce Vita | About $97–140 | Leather and some non-leather styles | Trend-led flats and boots |
| Madewell | About $98–110, often on sale | Mostly leather | Everyday flats |
| Lil Cacti | $48.99–92.99 | All vegan | Ballet flats, mary janes, slingbacks, split-toe tabi |
Prices for other brands are approximate and change often. Check the retailer before you buy.
What makes a shoe look like Reformation?
Four things. A low or mid heel rather than a stiletto. A clean toe, either softly rounded or square. A plain upper in black, brown or cream with at most one detail, such as a thin strap or small buckle. And a vintage reference, usually the 1960s or the 1990s. If a shoe has three of those four, it will sit comfortably next to a Reformation dress.
8 vegan alternatives, matched by style
1. If you like the ballet flat: a strap ballet flat
Reformation's flats are low-cut and unfussy. The closest match is a smooth black flat with one fine strap for hold.
Vivra Strap Leather Ballet Flats
Smooth black vegan leather with a delicate strap. Clean lines, nothing extra.
Wear with straight jeans and a white shirt, the outfit these flats were made for.
2. If you like the heeled ballerina: a patent kitten pump
A ballet flat on a small heel is the most Reformation shape of all. Brown patent makes it look vintage.
Cerise Patent Ballerina Pumps
A rounded toe in crinkled brown vegan patent with a hidden elastic topline and a slim kitten heel.
Cerise Patent Ballerina Pumps
From the side, the heel is low enough for a full day.
3. If you like the mary jane: a pointed buckle flat
A pointed toe keeps a mary jane from looking too sweet, and it lengthens the leg under a midi dress.
Buckled Mary Jane Flats
A pointed toe and an adjustable buckle strap in black, wine red or leopard vegan leather. Sizes EU 35–42.
The wine red is the one to choose if you want the vintage feel.
4. If you like the slingback: a square-toe slingback heel
Reformation's slingbacks are simple, with a neat toe and a mid heel. Ours adds a sculpted silver heel, so the plain upper has a point of interest.
Mirelle Black Slingback Heels
A squared toe and deep V vamp in a glossy vegan finish, on a silver hourglass block heel.
5. If you like the kitten heel: a pointed kitten pump
For work and evenings, a pointed black kitten heel is the piece that goes with every dress in the wardrobe.
Violetta Pointed Toe Kitten Heels
A tapered toe, a low refined heel and a clean black upper.
6. If you like the mary jane heel: a square-toe mary jane pump
An elastic strap means no buckle to fasten, and a small bow softens the square toe.
Margot Mary Jane Slingback Pumps
A smooth black vegan upper with a ruched elastic strap, a cord bow and a cut-out heel.
7. If you like the ankle boot: a slim square-toe boot
Reformation boots are narrow through the ankle and plain. Look for the same restraint: no visible hardware, a slim heel.
Sabra Square Toe Ankle Boots
A blunt square toe and a clean shaft on a slim tapered heel. The shape is the detail.
8. If you like the tall boot: a knee-high riding boot
A knee-high black boot under a floral midi is a signature Reformation outfit. A riding shape with a block sole makes it walkable.
Larkin Knee High Riding Boots
A smooth black shaft to just under the knee with buckle straps and a lugged block sole.
Are Reformation shoes worth it?
They can be. The designs are restrained and age well, the leather is good, and the brand publishes more about its sourcing than most. If you wear one pair of black flats four days a week, $250 spread over two years is a fair cost per wear.
The case is weaker for trend colors and occasion shoes you will wear a handful of times. That is where a lower-priced alternative makes sense. And if you avoid animal leather, the decision is already made, since most of the range is leather.
Are Reformation shoes vegan?
Mostly no. The shoes are primarily animal leather. The brand has experimented with plant-based materials in limited releases, but it does not describe itself as vegan, and you should check each product's material list. Everything we make is vegan.
How does the sizing compare?
Buyer reports on Reformation shoes vary by style: some find the boots narrow at the toe, and some size down half a size in loafers. Read the reviews on the exact shoe.
Ours are in EU sizes, and the range depends on the style:
| Style | Size range | If you are between sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Vivra, Cerise, Mirelle, Margot | EU 35–40 | Size up in pointed or square closed toes |
| Buckled Mary Jane Flats | EU 35–42 | Size up; the pointed toe needs length |
| Violetta | EU 35–39 | Size up |
| Sabra boots | EU 34–39 | Size up if you wear thick socks |
| Larkin boots | EU 35–40 | Usual size with thin socks |
Caring for vegan flats and heels
Wipe smooth and patent finishes with a soft damp cloth and dry them away from heat. Do not use leather conditioner, wax or oil; they sit on the surface of vegan materials and attract dust. Stuff the toes with tissue between wears, and store patent pairs apart so the finishes do not stick. Step-by-step instructions are in our guide to cleaning vegan leather shoes.
Reformation, Sam Edelman, Dolce Vita, Madewell: who should buy what?
Choose Reformation if you want leather, a design you will keep for years, and you are comfortable at $230 and up. Choose Sam Edelman for a classic leather flat at about half that. Dolce Vita is the pick for trend shapes and boots, and Madewell for an everyday flat that is often on sale.
Choose us if you want the same clean, vintage-leaning shapes without animal leather and at $48.99 to $92.99, or if you want something the others do not make, such as a split-toe tabi version of the ballet flat. We do not copy anyone's designs; these are our own shoes in the same style family.
Frequently asked questions
What brand is similar to Reformation shoes?
Sam Edelman, Dolce Vita and Madewell make similar minimal flats and boots at about $100 to $140. For vegan versions under $95, see the styles above.
How much do Reformation shoes cost?
About $228 to $278 for flats, mary janes and slingbacks and about $448 to $478 for boots, from retailer listings in October 2026.
Are Reformation shoes real leather?
Most are. Check the material section of each product for exceptions.
Do Reformation shoes run small?
Reports differ by style, so read reviews for the specific shoe. Boots are often described as narrow at the toe.
Is there a dupe for Reformation ballet flats?
Look for a low-cut, plain black flat with a soft toe. A strap version adds hold; a kitten-heel version gives the heeled ballerina look.
Does Lil Cacti offer free shipping?
Yes, on orders over $90.
Read next
- The Row Ballet Flats Alternatives: 7 Vegan Lookalikes Under $70 (2026)
- Toteme Shoes Dupe? Vegan Alternatives to the Ballerina, Loafer, Slingback and Boot
- aeyde Shoes Dupe? Vegan Alternatives to the Uma, Moa, Loafers and Boots (2026)
Start with our ballet flats.