This post was originally published on December 6, 2015.
You never want something until you can't have it. So, each week in The Sell-Out, we're getting the scoop from your favorite retailers on what's selling like crazy. Watch this space to find out what everyone's buying, sign up for wait lists, and keep tabs on restocks.
It's no longer a surprise when a killer, limited-edition clothing collaboration sells like crazy — we've seen it time and time again, with everything from Lilly Pulitzer for Target to Balmain for H&M. But nothing could have prepared us for the frenzy that surrounded Rihanna's creeper collection for Puma (the first for the celeb in her new role as the brand's womenswear creative director and global ambassador for women's training) — and it's partly because they're not quite like anything we've seen before.
While the stacked platform sole has been a popular trend for a while now, combining it with all the comfy benefits of a sneaker (and in some pretty sick colors, too) is what makes this shoe genius. Shoppers definitely agreed: According to Bad Gal RiRi herself, the first drop of the shoe sold out in just three hours. And when more became available last month, they were completely wiped from Puma's website by the next day.
While Puma told us there won't be any more restocks of the current creeper collection (heartbreaking, we know), there's definitely more exciting product to come. And even though the shoe is sold out on the brand's site, it's still available at the link ahead — for now. If they're 86'd by the time you're reading this, we've found six almost-as-rad alternatives to hold you over until Rihanna's next big thing.
Alert: Shopbop still has most sizes available in gold.
Puma Creeper Metallic Sneakers, $110, available at Shopbop.
Everyone needs a metallic shoe.
Puma Basket platform metallic-leather trainers, $91, available at Selfridges.
Skip the laces altogether for a slip-on variation.
Opening Ceremony Cici Platform Sneaker, $295, available at Nordstrom.
Superga's canvas version has an Insta-worthy rope-wrapped sole.
Superga 2790 Cotropew, $89.95, available at Superga.
The same look for less than $70? Sign us up.
Zara Chunky Sole Leather Sneakers, $69.90, available at Zara.
If you're down for a splurge, contemporary brand Sandro's got its own take on the sneaker-creeper.
Sandro Camille Trainers, $375, available at Sandro.
Get your hands on this new colorway while you still can.
Puma By Rihanna Creepers, $121.54, available at Farfetch.
What's left of the must-have sneaker-creeper could be yours.
Puma By Rihanna Creeper, $120, available at American Rag.
Black and white are all you need (that, and an extra four inches).
Ash Suede Platform Sneaker, $83.40, available at Neiman Marcus Last Call.
Let a big velvet bow seal the deal.
Marc By Marc Jacobs Oxford Creeper, $253.26, available at Nordstrom.
Why not go patent?
Purified Creepers, $285, available at MatchesFashion.
Close, but not quite as sneaker-like.
Karl Lagerfeld Suede Creepers, $168, available at The Outnet.
Give your outfit a little shine with a metallic silver pair.
Acne Studios Platform Sneaker, $299.98, available at Nordstrom.
The classic Converse gets a little added boost.
Converse Chuck Taylor Platform Sneaker, $106, available at MyTheresa.
If you missed the boat on the RiRi version, these Steve Madden kicks come awfully close.
Steve Madden Holly Platform Sneaker, $89.95, available at Nordstrom.
The all-white Pumas may be hard to come by, but these have the same effect.
Superga 2790 Linea Platform Sneaker, $80, available at Urban Outfitters.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
30 Cool Beanies For The Non-Hat Girl