This Hyde Park shoe store is sexy and spunky, showcasing designer styles against a backdrop of cherry-red walls. Alise’s shoes are imported from Europe, and men and women can sink their tootsies into leather treasures from Italy (hint: python is huge for spring.) The shoe selection at Alise’s is complemented by belts for men, jewelry and handbags.

The Designer Shoe Warehouse offers just what you’d expect: a huge array of shoes at what-a-steal prices. Find shoes for both men and women, in styles that range from espadrilles and canvas flats to sneakers and sandals—merchandise is updated constantly. A self-service format allows shoppers to find their size right on the floor.

This popular Lincoln Park shoe shop is touted as "the sole of Chicago," and with good reason. Ladies flock to Lori's to dress their feet for any occcasion, and find everything from MIA's strappy, marigold-hued sandals to Kate Spade's black and white sandal stilettos (perfect for summer weddings.) The store's famously reasonable prices—sale prices can drop $175 pumps to $50—are also good for the sole.

O&I recently added men's shoes to its collection of "lifestyle" footwear from European designers. Formerly catering to women and the wee ones, the shop now has kicks for the whole family. Look for styles from designers like Alexander McQueen and Repetto.

This Lincoln Square shoe boutique offers the city's most extensive selection of Cydwoq shoes (a brand well-loved for its luxury-meets-comfort MO). If there's a Cydwoq style you want but don't see, the owner can order it for you. Also find styles from designers like Camper and Giraudon.

A downtown outpost of the Bucktown-based Akira, this spacious shop stocks nothing but shoes (OK, and some accessories, too). Find afforable, trendy styles like open-toe pumps by Jessica Simpson. The in-house Akira brand puts out fun, colorful kicks ranging from metallic flats to ornate wedge slides. Men's shoes are available, too; you might find slip-on, checkered Vans or camo-printed lace-ups from Reebok.

Adorning famous feet is Jimmy Choo's specialty; Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham and Beyonce are all fans of the London-based shoe company. In February 2007, Chicago's first Jimmy Choo boutique opened in the posh Oak Street shopping strip. The boudoir-inspired shop is filled with the sexy stilettos, sweet flats and dizzying price tags (classic black leather pumps will run you $455) that make the brand famous.

Sisters and Josephine co-owners Nicole Shockley and Danielle Rego named this Old Town boutique after their stylish grandmother. The "shoe salon" is steeped in old-fashioned glamour, with marble floors and crystal chandeliers. The shoes are just as swanky, with styles from Christian Lacroix, Missoni and Givenchy.

It's all about getting the latest trends for less at this Gold Coast accessories boutique. A DIY format allows customers to grab their own shoe size from a stack of boxes waiting on the floor (no waiting for a salesperson to fetch it for you from the back!). Clippings from Elle and Lucky adorn the walls, lending some style inspiration as you slide into shoes by Soho Lab and Me Too.

Located within the 900 shops, Stuart Weitzman caters to the designer shoe lover with a North Michigan Avenue bank account (many fall in the $200-$375 range). Women can slip on everything from casual flats to bridal shoes and dressy heels, all boasting the designer's trademark, eye-catching details. Be sure to check out the window display, which oftentimes features unique shoe instillations.

Exclusive European shoes line the shelves of Marky Bielat's upscale boutique. Though she welcomes foot traffic (har, har), Bielat encourages customers to make appointments for personal consultations. If you're in the market for a Cinderella-worthy splurge, slip on Baldinini's diamond slippers: $699 and with the bling to prove it.

Two shoe stores under one roof, City Soles and Niche offer fashion-forward styles for men and women. In the more casual City Soles, find purple ballet flats from Ted Baker and men's brown leather sneakers from Bronx. Niche's designer footwear, which easily hits $300 a pair and more, includes Mark Nason's rock-inspired, cross-adorned boots (for men) and black T-strap heels from Yin.

Pink ribbons trim the walls of this Division Street shoe boutique. Owner Maureen Longua, a true shoe savant, fills her shop with flirty styles from the likes of Michael Kors and Betsey Johnson. It's hard to choose one style, so it's a good thing Pump's reasonable prices allow shoppers to pick up a few at a time.

This tiny Wicker Park shop is devoted to the sneaker-loving dude, but this ain't your average Foot Locker. Styles here include collector's-item, limited-edition kicks and styles from hard-to-find lines like Tokyo's Visvim.

A very girly shoe store on West Division Street, Steelo is owned by two former shoe buyers for Nordstrom. Look for on-trend styles (offerings include metallic wedges and patent leather platform heels) from designers like Faryl Robin and Baci. The store also carries baby gifts and accessories.

South Side ladies get their kicks at Sole Lounge. Wrapped in blush-color walls, the shop is a perfectly girly place to slip on stilettos, wedges and flats from designers like J-Lo. For the chance to win a free shoe party (it involves champagne and discounts, which should be all you need to know), drop your card off in the shop's "magic martini glass."