Where to Shop for Designer Shoes in Oklahoma City

DSW, the Designer Shoe Warehouse chain, operates a location in Oklahoma City that serves as one of the primary destinations for discounted footwear and accessories in the metro area. This guide covers what to expect at the OKC store, how its pricing and selection compare to nearby alternatives, and whether the trip makes sense depending on what you're looking for.

The Oklahoma City Location and Store Format

DSW's Oklahoma City store is located in Bricktown, the downtown entertainment and retail district that anchors the city's central shopping corridor. The Bricktown location positions the store within walking distance of other apparel retailers and restaurants, making it feasible to combine a shoe shopping trip with other errands or dining.

Like all DSW locations, the Oklahoma City store operates on the warehouse model: a large open floor with organized brand sections, a self-service checkout component, and significantly marked-down inventory compared to department store pricing. The chain stocks roughly 10,000 pairs across men's, women's, and children's categories. Brands typically available include Nike, adidas, Cole Haan, Clarks, Naturalizer, Dr. Scholl's, and licensed designer lines such as Coach and Calvin Klein shoes at 20 to 40 percent below full retail.

DSW membership, called VIP, costs nothing to join and provides rewards points on every purchase (one point per dollar spent). Members accumulate points toward $10 discounts; non-members pay full clearance prices without accrual. The membership enrollment happens at checkout and requires only a name, email, and zip code.

Pricing and Discount Structure

DSW's appeal depends entirely on understanding its pricing strategy. The store does not mark down items uniformly; instead, it operates a tiered system where select clearance merchandise receives deeper cuts (up to 60 percent off original suggested retail) while newer or popular items sit at full DSW prices, which are typically already lower than department store prices but higher than online flash sales.

For context on OKC shopping costs: a pair of Nike running shoes that retails at $130 might sell at DSW for $85 to $95, depending on style and season. The same shoe during a DSW clearance event (which occur roughly every six weeks) could drop to $55 to $65. Comparable shoes at Payless, the discount chain that operated in Oklahoma City's Penn Square Mall until its 2019 closure, would have been priced similarly, but DSW's current absence of direct local competition in the discount shoe category gives it pricing control.

Selection Trade-offs: DSW Versus Direct-to-Consumer and Department Stores

DSW's Oklahoma City location stocks primarily mainstream athletic and casual brands. It carries limited high-fashion footwear; luxury brands like Prada, Gucci, or Valentino are not part of DSW's wholesale agreements. Shoppers seeking those categories need to travel to Saks Fifth Avenue at Saks OFF 5TH in The Galleria, located in north OKC near the junction of I-235 and I-44, roughly 15 minutes from Bricktown.

For athletic shoes specifically, DSW and Dick's Sporting Goods (with multiple Oklahoma City locations including Penn Square Mall and Quail Springs) compete directly. DSW generally offers more women's and children's shoe variety; Dick's emphasizes performance categories like basketball and trail running, plus it provides in-store fitting for specialty running shoes through its trained staff. Neither store undercuts the other significantly; the choice comes down to brand preference and whether you need fitting guidance.

Online retailers including Amazon and Zappos often undercut DSW's posted prices, particularly on clearance items. However, Zappos offers free two-day shipping and returns, which can offset any small price advantage DSW holds on final sale merchandise. For shoppers unwilling to wait for shipping, the Bricktown DSW location provides immediate inventory access.

Practical Considerations for Oklahoma City Shoppers

Parking at the Bricktown DSW is street-level or in nearby municipal lots; there is no dedicated store lot. Peak shopping occurs Friday through Sunday, particularly between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., when fitting rooms experience waits of 15 to 25 minutes. Weekday morning visits typically allow shorter fitting room lines.

The store's return policy allows 60 days for full refunds and 90 days for store credit, with the receipt or email confirmation required. This is notably longer than many retail chains and provides a buffer if shoes need adjustment time before final wear.

Size availability fluctuates significantly with season. Winter boot inventory peaks from September through November; sandals and lighter styles are most available June through August. The Oklahoma City location occasionally receives transfer stock from other regional DSW locations if an item is out of size; staff can check availability across the DSW network at the register, though transfers take 5 to 7 business days.

When DSW Makes Sense in Your Shopping Strategy

DSW's Bricktown location justifies a trip if you need shoes within one to two weeks, prefer to try on before purchasing, want guaranteed availability without shipping delays, or shop during a clearance event (which the chain advertises via email to VIP members roughly two weeks in advance). It is less useful if you are price-sensitive on full-price items, seek luxury brands, or can wait for shipping from online competitors.

For Oklahoma City residents in north or northwest areas near Quail Springs or Edmond, the travel time to Bricktown may make Dick's Sporting Goods a more convenient alternative for casual shoes, though DSW's broader women's selection often justifies the drive for that category. Parents shopping for children's shoes will find a wider size range at DSW than at most local competitors.

The store's value emerges when clearance inventory aligns with your needs. Checking the VIP email list before a trip, or calling ahead to confirm specific brands or sizes are in stock, converts a general shopping visit into a focused buying opportunity where savings actually materialize.