with my favorite ballet flats in Tuscany.
a great ballet flat is hard to find.
so when i discovered the chic ballet flats by French shoemaker Arche several years ago, there was a hallelujah moment. a woman stopped me on the shoe floor at Saks once, exclaiming over my Arches. she thought they were Lanvin.
the brand is still a bit under the radar and not typically featured by bloggers, so here's my review:
the materials: buttery and thick leather uppers and lining with a substantially cushioned insole and latex outsole. i say 'substantially' because 98% of ballet flats that are stylish happen to have a paper-thin sole that wears out quickly. the Arches have a mini 0.5" heel, and the grippy latex outsoles are sturdy and practical for rain or shine.
the fit: these run a bit small lengthwise, so size up (i take a US 6.5/occasionally a 7, and need a EU 38 in these). as anyone who loves ballet flats knows, fit is tricky to get right. i have somewhat narrow heels, so finding shoes that don't slip in the heel is a never-ending quest. the moderate elastication ensures a flattering fit and no heel slippage. unlike some other ballets that are overly elasticated, the Arches don't dig or rub or give me blisters.
the comfort: comfy right out of the box, and i'd rate these an 11 out of 10 for all-day walkability and actual arch support. a definite travel essential – i always pack mine as an easy chic walking shoe. these have taken me all around NYC, Tokyo, and the cobblestone streets of Rome.
walking around in Tuscany with my Arche ballets (also here and here) / favorite denim jacket / trusty trio bag
worth it? absolutely. they rarely go on sale and are not inexpensive, but are much more affordable compared to the ever-inflating prices of designer shoes these days. and i love that they're still made in France by a small, not flashy, family-owned company that specializes in making shoes.
i hope this is helpful! do you have Arches? what are your ballet flat go-tos?
P.S. the closet edit continues: just updated the shop with new Dieppas here and here.