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How to find leather womens flat shoes for walking in Paris?

How to find leather womens flat shoes for walking in Paris?

Old Feb 16th, 2011, 09:31 AM
  #21  
 
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I'm going to Paris in April, and like you I wanted something cute in leather that I could wear with jeans, slacks, skirts, and dresses, that wouldn't make me stand out as a tourist. I spent weeks looking, and felt that all the brands people usually recommend -- Sketchers, Ecco, Mephisto, Born, Clarks, on and on -- were all to thick and athletic looking for my taste, or else old and granny-ish. If I wouldn't wear them with a skirt here at home in southern California, why on earth would I wear them in Paris?

I ended up getting a pair of Neve black leather ballet flats from Gabriella Rocha, on Zappos here: http://www.zappos.com/gabriella-rocha-neve-black . They come in wide, which I needed, and have an ankle strap that keeps my foot from sliding around and hitting the end or popping out. I've been wearing them to break them in, but they have become my go-to shoe for everyday, with skirts, capris, jeans, and slacks. I ordered half size bigger than I normally would and got some drug store memory foam insoles and they're extremely comfortable. They've held up to full days at Disneyland even during the breaking in period, so I'm hopeful they'll do well in Paris, though I will be taking at least one other pair with me.

As for the "poorly shod American tourist" stereotype, I believe it 100%. Obviously not all Americans are like this, but living in SoCal it's pretty easy to pick out. I live near several high-end malls -- LV and ESL and Tiffanys stores along with Nordstrom and Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus -- as well as near Disneyland. What I see people wear in malls here is pretty close to what I've seen in photos of people on the street in Paris, if maybe a bit more colorful. But at DL, the chunky white sneaker with socks and shorts reigns supreme. I can tell by looking at someone's feet in DL if they are an American tourist, a Japanese tourist, or a local. If I can tell with my passing knowledge of fashion, I would bet people in Paris can tell as well. And while there's nothing wrong with being obviously from your home country, I personally prefer to look cute, whether I'm going to the grocery store or Disneyland or the Louvre. But to each their own.
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Old Feb 16th, 2011, 10:18 AM
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I have a pair of maryjanes from Sketchers that I really like. I haven't taken them to Europe yet, but I walked all over DC in them and have worn them on day trips to SF where I walked a lot. They are more substantial than ballet flats with a thicker sole, more arch support, and better traction (rain, cobblestones) - but they aren't at all bulky and look nice with a lot of clothes.
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