French sole...worth it?

[whatwouldnigellado]

Not that fashionable but I love a ballet slipper shoe (still mourning the metallic ones I had from office a decade ago ).
Has anyone purchased french sole ballet slippers and found them worth the painful price tag (planning a post-lockdown purchase as there’s no way these are essential!)

I don't own any but I have been tempted for a long time! Would love to hear some feedback also.

I have slightly wider feet and I know it says they aren't ideal for this, but I still wonder if I'd get away with it.

They are certainly very pretty so I'd say go for it, it will be something to look forward to :)

There seems to be a half price sale on, I would order now.

I bought some years ago and would say they are not worth the price. They weren’t uncomfortable but certainly no better than the Clark’s ones. There is also no left or right but one shape and your feet are supposed to mould the shoe. I didn’t find this massively comfortable at first and not sure they ever really fitted properly. The soles are also very thin so probably not great if you have a Hugh instep. If they’re half price then maybe go for it but I never bought another pair as, for me, they didn’t live up to the hype.

The soles are really thin and insubstantial and you have to have very narrow feet to wear them. I felt like an elephant when I had a pair! I barely wore them and gave them away in the end.

I bought a pair from TK Maxx and paid about £35.

I like them, but I only wear them on light walking days as they aren't very substantial. I like mine, but wouldn't pay full price for them.

They are ok, but wear out very, very quickly. They aren’t at all supportive either, even for a ballerina.

Pretty Ballerinas are better if you’re in that ballpark.

I had a few pairs as managed to get them for a heavy discount through an acquaintance.

I have wide feet, a high instep and fallen arches. They were awful for me, I could barely manage to walk in them. I persevered for a while and then gave up!

Ah such helpful comments, thank you. Looks best to leave it, I’m community nhs (thus the wanting something to look forward to) so need a decent sole even in pretty shoes. On with the search!

I’ve had a pair before. No better or more special than a standard leather mid range version from somewhere else. No padding underfoot.

@whatwouldnigellado

I think I mourn the same Office ballet shoes!
Slightly wider and more rounded at the end than typical ballet shoes?

I had gold and silver, and I loved them so much. I was gutted when they bit the dust x

@bookish83 that sounds like them! I had two- metallic green and purple. They went with so much and were so comfy! It’s strange the things we miss isn’t it!

Really flimsy uppers that sort of sag at the heel and the sole is simultaneously too thin but absolutely rigid.

I have two pairs bought at same time and refuse to throw them out because £££ so I wear them very occasionally and get angry about how awful they are