Those awesome shoes are rather expensive, but they do start rather small. My first pair were sandals, and I wore them until it was seriously snowing, and then I put a serious crimp in my budget in order to get a pair of closed sports-type shoes.

I have five pairs now: the sandals, the sports shoes that have not one single shred of leather in them and are hence nicknamed 'the veganskis', sensible black shoes with laces, winter/hiking type boots, and mary janes. I bought them over the course of the last three years, when my budget allowed it. But they've made a world of difference for me, so they're worth every Euro I could not spend on books.-