LONDON: Keira Knightley has found a novel way to weather the global economic crisis — the actress has taken to renting designer shoes instead of buying new pairs.

The Love Actually star is wary of spending excessively during the ongoing recession, opting instead to save money by borrowing expensive footwear.

Knightley, 23, explains, “I think when I was very young and I suddenly started earning a bit of money and I could actually afford to buy shoes, I got very excited and bought a lot. I mean a lot! I haven’t bought any in quite a while. Now I just rent them for the day. They give them to me for the day and I give them back in the evening, which is good.”