So while returning a pair of shoes at Neimans the other day I stumbled upon a new obsession....
I was waiting for the sales associate to process my transaction and had decided to randomly try on shoes as I normally do. I had seen these Chloe Flats before and didn't think much of them truthfully. Simple design, basic colors and I'm not overly familiar with the brand itself but I had glanced at these during previous visits and were always intrigued with how buttery soft they were. I never thought they would be something I would consider purchasing (especially given the price, but I'll get to that later) but I thought 'what the heck I'll try them on just for fun'...now we all know how that goes! (lol. jk - a lot of times it just confirms how much I dislike the shoe)
I put them on and it was like a magical moment from a movie - I kid you not. I did NOT expect these flats to be THAT comfortable!
**please note that after reading this you may not have that magical moment because you will expect them to be as they are. I went in with no real expectations.
**please note that after reading this you may not have that magical moment because you will expect them to be as they are. I went in with no real expectations.
They are a little less structured than I have come to expect from a shoe but truthfully that is one of the aspects that makes them SO comfortable - they are formfitting.
It is a FULL leather shoe (I have come to really appreciate the difference a leather sole can make) and the lambskin is ridiculously soft. I don't even own anything else that I can really compare it to. It's softer than my Balenciaga City Bag and any other bag I have for that matter so unfortunately I can not really give you a good comparison but they are soft! (Like so soft that I wouldn't even want my skin to feel like that because I think it would rip if someone were to grab my arm. lol)
Overall the shoe just molds to your foot when you put it on and then just continues to get more comfortable as the leather warms up with your body heat. They conform even further.
*magic*
The shoe itself is very light weight and flexible which I definitely appreciate. It does remind me a bit of ballet slippers but much more comfortable and 1000000x more high end haha but the fit is similar to me. It's that same secure but not too snug feeling.
It also features a very small heel and although it does not give you any additional height I think it helps with overall wear and durability of the shoe.
I'm sure the scalloped edges are one of the things most people like about the shoe but truthfully I wasn't that into the design. When I tried it on I didn't think it looked bad but to be honest I was more concerned on how delightful they felt on.
One thing I do like about the design is that there isn't a lot of bulk. It's a very minimalistic flat and I actually appreciate that aspect of them. I find it to be a very flattering style for my foot and I am not typically a fan of flats on me. They even have approval from the boyfriend!
The scalloped edges, while I am still not obsessed with the design, do add a little interest to the shoe. I figure if they were totally plain with just a straight edge they would look rather matronly and also the detail in the scalloping is part of the craftsmanship you are paying for. (The edges of the scalloping are actually sewn all the way around and very close to the edge so I don't think you will need to worry about it separating or peeling back over time.)
I have not had these for an extended period of time so I can not say how they will wear with normal use but I would suggest exercising a little caution with them. Of course if you are spending this much on a pair of flats you obviously don't want to be wearing them in the rain, hiking (not sure why you would wear them hiking but ya know, #justsayin) but I think in normal every day situations these will wear just as you would expect any soft leather item to wear. Of course these will be subject to scratches etc. since they are so soft, just as any lambskin handbag or jacket would be but, it's just a pair of shoes. No one is really getting down to ground level to inspect them so I wouldn't stress about it too much.
Shoes are made to be worn and enjoyed!
For me these fit true to size. For reference I am technically considered to have a narrow foot and heel (although to me my foot does not look narrow - I'd say more average or on the smaller side of average)
I normally take a 36.5 -37 (6.5 - 7) in European styles and 6.5 -7.5 in US brands but I would say usually I am a 7.
* For reference most people say that European sizes run small for them and they go up about a 1/2 size or so. European sizes actually fit me better than their US counterparts - there is usually less gapping along the sides of the shoe and overall just a more secure and better fit.
The sales associate said that these do stretch a bit (same for most leather shoes but these are especially malleable so I don't doubt these will stretch) but I have not had mine long enough to say how much they will stretch. That being said, I still think this was the correct size choice for me. They fit pretty perfectly now and I think if they were to get broken in, conforming to my foot even further they would be fantastic still.
I did choose black for my first pair (yes - I plan on saving for more!) because I felt as though they would wear the best over time out of all the colors. I am however also in the market to buy a pair of Nude and possibly a Taupe. They have a few other fun colors - a blue, yellow, green, coral, etc. but hey - I'm not rich. I can't collect them all Pokemon style.
I know that the shoes I wear most are Nude and Black (or any variation of neutral I suppose) so I will just stick with those.
Now for the part that's going to hurt your wallet (and how you can totally justify it! lol maybe?)
...I'll give you a moment.
At first I was really having second thoughts because of the price but they were just so amazing I had to splurge! I can never find flats that I think are really comfortable and these felt better than if I was just wearing socks.
(Can you tell I really love these flats? You can imagine what my poor boyfriend had to listen to the first few days I had them haha. Luckily he doesn't mind. If it interests me it interests him. Plus he likes to show off his knowledge to others, I think he likes the shock factor. lol.)
When you think about it, a pair of Tory Burch Flats are about $255 and up for one pair and many of us have a couple of those. They have kind of become the standard for midrange flats. These are less than 2 pairs of Tory Burch flats! So think of it that way. Personally I love Tory Burch products - I have so many of her flats and accessories but truthfully all of my Tory Burch flats feel like they are made of hard plastic by comparison. So I would GLADLY give up two pairs of Tory Burch flats to own ONE pair of these. I think they are worth it.
IF of course you are in a position to do so. Obviously I'm not saying don't eat lunch for a month to afford these shoes but if you are someone that would buy flats in the $250+ range don't pass these over just because they seem like they are (about) double the price. I think these will be one of the MOST comfortable flats you will ever own. (I can't say they will be THE most because I haven't tried every brand of flat out there but personally I have never had anything so comfortable.) They are a flat you will LOVE to and WANT to wear.
Chloe Flats can be found a number of places - I purchased mine from Neiman Marcus.
They come in Full AND 1/2 Sizes depending on the store and I am told these are a permanent style for the brand, one of their classics.
They come in Full AND 1/2 Sizes depending on the store and I am told these are a permanent style for the brand, one of their classics.
Chloe London Lambskin Flats - Style CH19170
Here are a few colors I found online:
Here are a few colors I found online:
Thank you for reading. Let me know if you enjoy seeing posts like this so I can do more in the future.