Monday started like any other day. Get up, drink coffee, fight traffic, go to work. But when I got there, though, it turned out to be anything but a typical day.
I checked my email, and found that dear Pugly had put me in touch with Danielle at Solestruck. A pair of shoes was on its way for me to review!
I chose the Gentle Souls Gabby, in Pewter metallic. Quite the departure from my usual Keens and Danskos, and a much-longed-for one at that. Not only have I wanted a ballet flat for-like-ever, but I’d seen these at Nordstrom and a couple other places and thought, “maybe if they go on sale.”
You see, my feet are picky. Most flats absolutely kill, due to the lack of arch support. Additionally, most non-Keen, non-Dansko shoes are too narrow and do not have enough give for my stubby, wide, high-arched feet. I was *so* excited to get the chance to try these long-coveted shoes, risk free!
Solestruck’s description:
Sweet flat with ruffled elastic strap
The Gentle Souls Gabby presents possibly the most comfortable reinvention of the mary jane to date. Its deerskin lining and flaxseed footbed pillows cushion every step with revolutionary technology. A modern silhouette is enhanced by an elastic strap with ruffled edges, and rubber grips on the sole ensure a firm stride. Padded footbed. Leather upper. Nonskid outsole.
After exchanging emails with Danielle, I knew it wouldn’t be long before my feet actually met the shoes, since Solestruck ships FedEx. Sure enough, mid-day today, the FedEx guy rang me up at work, and there they were.
1. FedEx Home, 2-3 Day Delivery, 2. A Letter!, 3. Anticipation…, 4. Magic Shoes!!!
The afternoon hours dragged by, while I waited for the day to end so I could go home and try them on. After nearly an hour of traffic, I scored a primo parking space right out front and scurried indoors to open the box. Inside was a personal letter from Danielle, which I thought was a wonderful touch.
I wish the Internet came with feel-o-vision, because I don’t have the words to describe how soft that leather is. Or how soft that deerskin lining is! Like little pillows for the soles. These are like wearing slippers, only with arch support. With my high arches, I tend to have a lot of danger zones where shoes rub painfully, but these shoes pose no – uh – danger of that.
In addition to the fabulousness of the shoes themselves, I have to give a shout out to Danielle for her sizing knowledge. I tend to shop for shoes by European sizes, in which I take a 36. With US-made shoes, I can be anywhere from a 5.5 to a 6.5. Danielle recommended a 6, and sure enough, these are a perfect fit.
This is clearly the beginning of a beautiful friendship, with both Solestruck and the Gentle Souls line. In fact, the minute my size is back in stock in black, I’m stopping by for a second pair!
Comfort:
Looks:
Support:
Overall:
July 18, 2008 at 7:36 am
wow, lucky you! those shoes look amazing and i also have wide feet with high arches…i should look into a pair! love love love the colour.
July 18, 2008 at 7:54 am
Yay! I’m glad they fit! They look fantastic!!
July 18, 2008 at 8:50 am
They look gorgeous and sound so comfy. Isn’t that shine irresistable?
For me, I think the only way I can wear ballets is to go the way of the elasticated back (ongoing search). Can’t keep them on without some help and while the strap across front does the job, I don’t like the way it messes with the thing ballets do so well: lengthening the leg with that visual sweep of uninterrupted skin from mid-leg to toe.
But that’s my problem!
July 18, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Oooh, flats with arch support! That someone sent you for free! It’s the Impossible Dream! I really like those shoes (although I’m not entirely convinced about the wide strap), and I’ll have to see if any of my local shoe stores carry them. I’ve been looking for supportive flats for a long time, too — I bought some Clarks a few weeks back (which I can’t find on the Internet) that seem to be fulfilling that purpose.
July 18, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I literally LOL’d when I read your “feel-o-vision” — that would be remarkable!
I remember you blogging about Gentle Souls several months ago. They look absolutely darling on you.
July 19, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Those are sweet! They sound wonderful — thanks for the review.
July 21, 2008 at 6:01 am
Oooo! Those are very, very pretty. They look a little like Campers, but more feminine. How’s the toe box? Do they pinch at all?
July 21, 2008 at 8:41 am
“Feel-o-vision” … I love it! If you ever invent it, I want in on the patent
Those Gabby flats look adorable on you. I’ve tried on a few Gentle Souls myself and I agree, that deerskin lining is amazing! Oooh and the flaxseed pillows on the footbed … so comfy. Glad you’re lovin’ the shoes, and thanks for the linkage; you’re being added to my blogroll too!
September 14, 2008 at 11:31 pm
[...] print sneaker that looks darling on her She-Hulks (as she so lovingly refers to her wide feet). Marielle at Chez Shoes features the Gentle Souls Gabby, a comfy and pretty metallic flat that looks just perfect on her petite size 5.5/6 feet [...]