Best ballerinas?

[carrie74]

I think it's time to retire my old Boden ballerinas. I've had them for years, and they've worked v v hard for me, and resoled several times. Now though, they're getting harder to keep on my feet, and I actually stepped out of one of them the other day, plus am noticing that I'm doing that toe crunch thing to try to keep them on.

So, what are the best ballerinas in terms of comfort, longevity and fit?

I'll only be wearing them for work, but don't want to get something cheap that just hurt my feet and last 3 months. Equally, I don't want to spend mega-bucks and be frightened to actually wear them in the rain.

My budget is probably up to £75, but I can stretch to £100 for the perfect pair. Any recommendations?

Try French Sole, Repetto, or Bloch for ballet flats.

my Bloch ballet flats recently died :( they have covered a lot of miles though, so am hovering on your thread for something cheaper but possibly as long or longer lasting to replace them

I would not recommend French Sole. They look incredible in the shop, but v thin, wear through quickly and just generally feel shabby after three months wear. Lk Bennet much better for the price.

Personally, Blochs, I don't have good experience with French Sole either but a lot depends on fit. I find FS too big and Sam Edelman too tight. I like Just Ballerinas as well as Blochs. Got a brand new pair of Blochs on ebay for £55 recently, usually they are £110-£130 so worth keeping an eye out.

I also had some great ones from M&S a few years ago.

I have Blochs, found them in TK Maxx. I also have a Banana Republic pair for traipsing to and from work which are very good, and they have memory foam in the insole, so are very comfy. Think they are called Ashley.

This is really helpful, thank you all!

I have Blochs too, they are comfy but really not sturdy at all they look quite worn after only a few wears. For the price not worth it imo unless you can get them in sale/tkmaxx. I got some from pied a terre last year which have worn well.

NOT French sole. Look beautiful but are way to expensive for what they are, very thin soled and mine don't seem to be shaped for left and right you are just supposed to 'wear' them in apparently. For longevity go for Russell and Bromley or LK Bennet for cheaper but pretty Dune are nice.

how on earth do people keep these things on their feet??

French Sole are rubbish as others have said. They look great but are cheaply made and really uncomfortable IMO. Russel & Bromley flats are very good. I usually stock up by buying a few pairs in the sales and they last a several seasons. Pretty Ballerinas are also good.

Why don't you get a new pair from Boden?

The best ballerinas I have are accessorize. But then I find that none of the ballerinas I have wear that well so prefer to buy from monsoon cheaper and chuck when worn.

carrie i highly rate bloch,and there are some on the outnet for 50%off. tory burch flats are regarded as very comfy though i dont own one.but a friend does and she loves it.

I have Pretty Ballerinas, Blochs and J Crew. There is a trade-off in terms of comfort and longevity - the J Crew are comfy but rubber soled and quite thin - so may not last long (but got v cheap in final sale) this style. I have the pointy toed flats as well which are pretty durable but not that comfortable (hard patent leather).

The Blochs are also thin soled and not quite as comfy for me but got them cheap at TK Maxx. The Pretty Ballerinas are the thickest and the leather probably the most durable but they have needed breaking in. And I have another cheapy brand which rub my toes something terrible. The Bodens look quite good - agree why not try again?

Can I whisper Clarks? I have just bought a pair and they are really comfy and everybody is asking me where i got them from !

I have thought about Boden again, but my experience with the clothes in the last 18-24 months has been that the quality hasn't been up to much, while prices have stayed the same or crept up. So I'm reluctant to pay £60-£80 on shoes from Boden that won't live up to the ones I'm replacing.

I don't mind resoling, but I do want fairly comfy shoes that don't slip off my feet as I'm walking, or require me to curl my toes in the manner of an eagle to keep the shoes on . I think I need to go and try on, which means High St really, although can also try R&B and LKB. Will also try to see what pops up in TK Maxx, but it's v v rare for me to drop by there (live rurally, don't actually go bricks and mortar shopping v often).

I tried LKB and Hobbs today. Only patent in LKB but Hobbs had some with £30 off. I ordered some Boden ones for £44 with the mumsnet discount code. Don't know if they're any good yet, though!

I second Clark's. Very good quality and cheapish. Well worth a look !

Do any of you have wide feet & successfully wear ballerina shoes?

I would love a pair ... crossing fingers x

I've been lurking....LOVE ballet pumps but I've got v narrow heel cup & I've always been unable to keep non-strap shoes/lace-ups on my feet! Since DD3 my feet have got broader & I'd LOVE a pair. J Crew look lovely but I'm wondering how true the sizes are to UK sizes. They're £77 to ship here in the sale & are non-returnable so an expensive mistake for me....

I adore my Fit Flop Due ballerinas. Very very comfy. I had spinal surgery so was essential to have proper supportive soles, also have wide feet. I wear them for work and with skinny jeans. The mink colour is perfect neutral and now I'm wondering about getting a canvas pair in sunflower

Love russell & bromley
I had a pair of bloch ballet flats and unfortunately wasn't a huge fan as they had a leather sole and weren't very hardy. They got wet, i put them in the box, pulled them out after a week or so and they had grown mould!! Probably my fault for getting them wet but... These things happen.

Anpther vote for Clarks.

I bought some leopard print ones recently....sooooo comfy. Even though I am a bunion-ridden wide-footed old hag they look lovely, are well-made, and cost (iirc) £36.