If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, trend-setting designers like Jimmy Choo, Balmain, and Christian Louboutin should give themselves a pat on the back.  Each season, after the runway collections debut and the newest shoe designs are unveiled, shoe companies across the world scramble to produce similar, but more affordable versions of the newest styles.  Retailers like Topshop, H&M, and Forever 21 thrive on the knock-off: clothes, shoes and accessories for women and girls with discerning eyes but shallow pockets.  Of course, there's much debate about this practice – is it shameless copying of a true artist's vision or the democratization of overly exclusive fashions?  No matter the argument, there's no doubt that shoe companies take "inspiration" from high-end designers' work.  Behold seven styles that will have you seeing double – or, in this case, three times the fun.

Whether they're worth $1,265, Christian Louboutin's Adona flats are clearly the muse for Pour la Victoire's and Topshop's pairs.  The Louboutin's juxtapose multiple buckles against a girly, ruffle detail; Pour la Victoire's Ella T-strap Sandal, at $225, uses a very similar shape, but in faux-snakeskin.  Topshop's Frill-Front Gladiator Sandal is the cheapest of the bunch at $80, but we've lost some ruffle (and cut down on the number of buckles, too).  The Louboutins clearly have quality on their side, but can that make up for the astronomical price difference?

Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain's Tassel Ankle Sandals are chic, trendy, and gorgeous.  They're also $750.  At that price, we have to wonder: just how long will these summer shoes last, and when will fringed ankle cuffs go out of style?  Candela's Fieco Sandals, at $149.90 on sale, are a less risky purchase, and with a thong rather than a t-strap, are a fairly convincing take on the original pair.  Once again, Topshop rounds out the pack with the Hugo-Fringe Stud Sandal.  These are red, studded, with a wrap-around fringed ankle cuff and a toe loop.  Still, at $40 for 100% leather sandals, these are a sound investment with or without the resemblance to the original Balmain shoes.

Multiple skinny, metallic snakeskin straps give Jimmy Choo's Glenys Watersnake Sandal a glamorous, gladiator-inspired look.  Those of us with younger siblings probably can guess how Choo's designers felt when they saw these DV by Dolce Vita Claire Sandals, which at $99.95, are a whopping $1,100 less than Choo's original price.  Dolce Vita loses the metallic finish but maintains a zipper front; Steve Madden veers in the other direction with their Merriee Sandal at the same low price of $99.95.

From the 1 ½ inch platform to the teetering stiletto heel, Louboutin's $1,495 Metallic Multi-Buckle 'Differa' sandals are inimitably show stopping.  But that doesn't stop other designers from trying to capture their special brand of magic.  Nine West's 'Vivacity' Boutique 9 Sandal borrows the multi-buckle look for a more casual, $109 sandal in matte black or tan leather.  Topshop's 'Paradise' Platform Sandals offer another daytime riff in delicate peach leather – with a (relatively) painless $180 price tag.

We don't know which designer debuted their geometric t-strap sandals first, but Dior's Klimt T-Strap Sandals and Valentino's Geometric T-Strap Sandals must have looked similar on the drawing board.  Dior uses stone and subtle chain links to create this sleek, black $454 (on sale) shoe, while Valentino completes his look in soft red leather.  Regardless, Gwyneth Shoes has a passable take for just $134.95 with the Women's Quest Gladiator Sandals. How different would this "generic" geometric t-strap look on the foot?  Try them in black, silver or gold to find out.

Randall's $415.90 (on sale) flat brown Greco-Roman sandal with gold studs has ushered in a parade of copycats.  Take BCBGMAXAZRIA's studded leather Tiones sandals in sand: would all but the most discriminating viewer ID these $225 zip-front look-a-likes?  The Women's Charrger Studded Gladiator Sandal has a less self-enclosed design but with gold studs on brown leather, has a similar overall appearance.  Steve Madden's take is just $67.90: a bargain for ladies seeking a standard gladiator flat.

We're not sure which genius decided that a thong sandal could use an ankle cuff, but whomever it was, the idea spread like wildfire.  Dolce Vita Women's Aries Sandal comes in an assortment of seasonal colors, from hot pink suede to metallic gold ($125).  Boutique Nordstrom's version, at $69.95, comes in earth tones and leaves the heel open (perhaps that accounts for the price difference).  Mia's Harem Sandal, available in black and khaki, adds a silver buckle and comes in just behind the pack at $65.

Whether you're shopping for high-end footwear or the discount imitations, now's the time to buy!  Shoes are on sale across the board, and only you'll ever know how much you paid for them.