Last night, I was sitting through hour 12 of my 15 hour traveling ordeal when I noticed a spicy, stylish AARP-aged lady in front of me with the greatest shoes ever. Here is a faithful transcript of our conversation.
Belle: Ma’am, where did you get those flats? They are divine.
Lady: Saks.
stops, pauses, looks at my shamefully beat-up DvF flats, which I commute in…
Lady: (whispering) They were kind of expensive.
Belle: (seeing the scalloped edges) Oh, so they’re Chloe.
Lady: (mildly impressed, as if I have just redeemed myself in some way, then like she’s congratulating a vexious Malti-Poo) Good girl.
You win some, you lose some. These are the shoes I’m talking about.
Chloe Perforated Leather Ballerina Flats ($595)
I really love them. And they look like they would go with my entire wardrobe. But $595 is a lot to spend on shoes. On a cost per wear theory, by the end of the year the $595 would probably come out to $2.5o per wear. But still not cheap.
I may order them, see if they’re comfortable or if they’re stiff and blister-inducing. If they don’t work out, then I can just send them back.
I did find them on a mild discount on FarFetch, but $416 isn’t exactly comforting. For something similar in a lower price point, I found these.
Neiman Marcus Selena Flat in Cork ($119)
The style is similar, but the cork isn’t as versatile. They would be a good summer shoe though. I also found these $69 perforated Naturalizer shoes that looked promising. And for a total cheapie, these NY & Co. perforated flats for $15.
32 comments
sherry @ save. spend. splurge. says:
I’ve been eying Chloe flats for years but with the way I abuse my flats, I cannot justify more than $200 on a pair. I’ve burned through so many…… Cost per wear doesn’t exist in the world of flats for me unfortunately.
Molly says:
I have a pair of JCrew pink perforated flats from a couple years ago that are great after breaking in — i see some available on ebay under “jcrew perforated flats”. Looks like most are in the Nora or Cleo style.
SSC says:
Do those run true to size? I’ve seen a few pairs on Poshmark and ebay but I know J.Crew shoes can run small so I’ve been reluctant.
SNP says:
I bought these last summer. They’re not as delicate, but still comfortable, stylish and great for travel and sightseeing: https://www.barneys.com/loeffler-randall-cap-toe-mara-espadrilles-503794330.html
I had to take them to a cobbler after a couple months to get the sole re-attached, but I love them so much. I might buy another pair just in case.
Jo says:
I have done this type of negotiation when I really want something too but as someone else commented- I don’t think flats are worth extra money because I commute in them and they fade fast.
Michelle says:
Call your Nordstrom Rack stores!! I just tried them on in black at the Rack, for I think $250. The leather was super soft and flexible- really comfy, but ran a bit small like most designer shoes.
SM says:
Maybe it’s just me but they look a bit old lady to me. for that price, I’d rather buy the ferragamo flats.
Belle says:
The Vera’s with the bow? If you like them, good on you. But it’s a little funny to choose the shoe of old WASP ladies everywhere, and say these look old lady.
SM says:
They’re both a bit grandma but the ferragamo are at least iconic.
Belle says:
I accept that.
Lucy says:
Rude.
Lynn says:
A little. But also legit.
RMR says:
I want them so bad. They look awesome. My last foray into expensive flats did not end as well as I’d hoped though (AGL).
PSP says:
I also had a terrible, terrible AGL shoe experience which has turned me off from expensive shoes forever. $350 flats quite literally fell apart after only a few months. I’m admitedly rough on my feet and work/walk in Manhattan.
GRA says:
The cheaper pair look … cheap. I’d go with the Chloe, which are, for sure, divine.
Amanda says:
French Sole has a similar pair, sans scallops: vhttps://www.amazon.com/French-Sole-FS-NY-League/dp/B00GFLFKT4/ref=pd_sim_309_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41KvU%2Bpo2lL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR320%2C320_&refRID=0GG8MDW4H2X432KG93AZ
Amanda says:
sorry I screwed up the link: https://www.amazon.com/French-Sole-FS-NY-League/dp/B00GFLFKT4/ref=pd_sim_309_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41KvU%2Bpo2lL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR320%2C320_&refRID=0GG8MDW4H2X432KG93AZ
Valerie says:
^These- I saw them on Gilt also earlier in the year, but they’ve sold out there. They look very similar to the Chloe pair, and should be decent quality if they’re real leather.
KC says:
I love these from MeToo, I have a pair of red patent which are my traveling shoes: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lacey-flat/4242411?origin=coordinating-4242411-0-3-PP_3-Data_Lab_Recommendo_V2-also_viewed2&recs_type=coordinating&recs_productId=4242411&recs_categoryId=0&recs_productOrder=3&recs_placementId=PP_3&recs_source=Data_Lab_Recommendo_V2&recs_strategy=also_viewed2&recs_referringPageType=item_page
m says:
My mother in law wears chloe flats exclusively- she loves them for her wide, low feet. My feet are somewhat “taller” and they just aren’t comfortable on me.
Anyone have experience with the neiman marcus house brand shoes?
DSmith says:
I don’t have any experience with their flats, but I bought a pair of Neiman Marcus brand suede pumps about 2 years ago and they remain the most horrible shoes I’ve ever wasted money on. The suede fell apart within 2 wears and they caused a few oddly placed blisters on my feet. Though I loved the basic style (hence my purchase), I was not pleased with the quality of materials or the ergonomic design of the shoes. Hopefully they have improved by now, but I for one will not be taking a chance on any more NM brand shoes!
c says:
My god, those look uncomfortable. I’d rather wear 4-inch heels, personally.
Sarah says:
Ha! Love the conversation you had. I can’t imagine spending that much on a pair of flats though, or any shoe really.
Kristie says:
Cute flats, they look comfy!
https://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
https://www.fashionnotfear.wordpress.com
Lauren says:
I love your conversation! When I was growing up, my mom would always compliment strangers and ask them about different clothing or items they had. I always got so embarrassed by it- and now, if I see something I love, I usually do the same.
It can be so fun to compliment a stranger on something, even if it’s shoes – I bet you made her day!
I couldn’t possibly afford that type of shoe, but love and appreciate a great flat. I used to wear heels constantly- now, at 33, I’m almost exclusively flats!
Helena says:
The Chloe flats feel as good as they look. I have 2 pairs, walk a lot and it amazes me that such soft, buttery leather is so sturdy as well.
Anna says:
No idea about the comfort level, but I actually like the cork ones even more than the Chloe. Perforated has always seemed weird to me on shoes.
Lucy says:
Check out the Sam Edelman Augusta flat…you can buy them on Amazon even (https://www.amazon.com/Sam-Edelman-Womens-Augusta-Ballet/dp/B00QWOTG1W) and I have them in every color! They’re very comfortable.
Pam says:
I have these nude perforated flats from Franco Sarto. Very comfortable and look sharp! I’m about to buy them in black too. Very similar to the Chloe
https://www.dsw.com/shoe/franco+sarto+hakira+flat?prodId=dsw12prod8060067
Jilly says:
Can’t help but picture Meryl Streep from The Devil Wears Prada.
Lauren T. says:
The Naturalizers look great for the price and they look pretty comfy. Thanks for the recommendations!
CB says:
I similarly fell in love with those shoes. In the end I couldn’t bear to pay the Chloe price but found two comparable pairs.
First, French Sole has a shoe with very similar perforation but no scalloping (Gilt had them a while back): https://www.frenchsoleshoes.com/flats/league.html
Ciao Bella makes a pair with similar scalloping but different perforation which I bought in rose gold:
https://www.dsw.com/shoe/ciao+bella+fanny+ballet+flat?prodId=327372