Perhaps you can tell from the previous post that I am incredibly picky with footwear. That notion is only going to be reinforced in this one, dear readers! 😉
I am utterly picky with fold-up ballet flats. I dislike ones that are made of synthetic materials, as most of them smell like vinyl/plastic/something horrid (eww…) and my feet can hardly breathe in them! (I’ve tried CAZZ flats, a Canadian company that no longer seems to be around –and my feet couldn’t breathe. Ever since, I’ve checked labels obsessively) What is the point of toting around foldable flats to spare your tootsies from heels if you are going to face a new set of problems and pain?
Lately, my go-to pair has been the GAP’s city flats ($40.00 a pair) and they’ve done the job, but with a few complaints. First off, the leather is very, very easily scuffed –as in, the top layer is easily removed. Yikes. I walk gingerly in them. Secondly, though they are more cushioned than the average fold-up flat, they aren’t very firm, so there’s little support. Other than that, they’re lovely… even though I don’t like the faux leather used for the carrying pouch, but at least I’m not putting my feet in that. I’m not the only one discussing the fragility of these shoes, either!
The Gap’s City Flats…
I knew I was still on the hunt for the perfect pair of take-me-anywhere flats, so when I came across the Yosi Samra fold up flats in two-tone white at Revolve Clothing, I had to have it with the coupon code I was saving just for such an occasion item. They came yesterday in the mail, and I am now a YS devotee.
The Yosi Samra flats come in the cutest little black box and bagged in a durable fabric pouch. Fabric pouch means you can throw it in the wash when it gets far too dirty from the shoes, something you can’t do with PVC bags.
For a few more dollars than the Gap City flats, these Yosi Samra flats are made of leather that is meant to last, and quality rubber soles. They fit well, true to size, and are both comfy and stylish. They feel like proper shoes, as opposed to a ‘temporary solution’ in the footwear department.
I was a bit surprised at the ‘raw edge’ finishing inside the flats, but they seem to be stitched well, and now I think it gives the flats a rugged look… they don’t cause any discomfort when worn, not on my feet at least.
Some modeling pictures… aren’t they just adorable? They’re like a foldable version of my favourite Bloch flats!
I strongly recommend these flats to anyone looking for such a pair! You’ll be seeing mine often as I’ll be finding plenty of excuses to wear them. 🙂
Have a prettyful day!
xoxo,
-Miss Cathie
I’m very particular about my shoes too. It’s gotta be leather and it’s gotta be well made. I’ve heard of YS but since I already own so many flats I don’t think I’ll buy there for a while. They do look gorgeous though and I’m sure you’ll use them a lot as they go with everything.
These look great! I have a pair of foldable flats – mine are Coco Rose – but they are soooo uncomfortable to walk in because they have ZERO support. These sound like proper shoes, which is much better!
Hello Cathie
My name is Sarah and I live in Australia I am trying to find some foldable ballet flats for travelling in a few weeks, I have ordered an Australian Brand that look similar to YS, and are really well made but their sizes are on the larger size and they don’t sell European size 36 – please could you advise before I purchase a pair of these lovely shoes whether you think they are really true to size or if they are slightly bigger or smaller than true size, thank you this would be a great help as the site I want to order from is in the States so a lot of hassle to send back if they don’t fit.
Many thanks and I think the YS shoes look great on your feet 🙂
Best wishes
Sarah (Perth, WA)
Author
Hi Sarah! I hope this reply gets to you in time, and that you have a fantastic trip! As for YS ballet flats, I think they run a bit snug. If your 2nd toe is not longer than your first and you have narrow to average width feet, you should not feel it too much. However, if like me, you have a ‘Greek foot’… consider sizing up half a size. 🙂 ♥
Hi Cathie, many thanks for your response this has been really helpful, I shall go on line and purchase thanks again
Best wishes
Sarah
hi i have exatly the same pair and have been wearing them everywhere hence, it got all dirty. can u give me tips on how i can properly clean them without ruining the leather?
Author
Hello Jamie,
Thanks for writing in. (I’ll be emailing this to you as well, in case you didn’t sign up for a reply notification!) I gave Yosi Samra a ring, and the representative informed me that just using a regular leather cleaner should do the trick. But be sure to stay away from alcohol-based cleaners! They’re never good for leather and will dull/crack the leather and make colours fade.
Hope this helps! ♥
thank you so much for the info. i will try that out.
Author
You’re very welcome. 🙂
since i couldnt find a leather cleaner that wasn’t black or brown, i went back to the yosi samra store and the salelady told me to use baby wipes. they actually worked. just wanted to share this info. 🙂
Author
Thanks so much for writing back and sharing this information with us! I might do an updated post in the future with this tip, and will be sure to credit you!
You can also try tieks.
Author
Hello Donna,
tieks has been on my wishlist for a LONG time. Sadly, they’re a bit out of my budget at the moment, so my YS flats are a nice compromise although I would definitely like some ballet flats with teal coloured soles sometime soon!
Hi Cathie, I saw this post when I typed in “how are fold up flats supposed to fit?” because I got my Yosi Samra charcoal flats in the mail last week and I can’t decide what to do. I am usually an 8.5 but lately have been sizing down to 8 for most shoes. YS doesn’t have half sizes it seems but the 8 does feel really really snug, I mean my toe is clearly at the very very tip of the shoe. This is the first pair of this type of flat so I am not sure if these are they way it’s supposed to be, or if they’re going to stretch with wear since they are leather. I got them on sale from Saks and they don’t have a 9 so I’m on the fence if I should order one from YS’s site to try. They are darling, though, the answer I’ve been looking for if they’d only fit just right. You’ve had yours for a while, do they stretch?
Thanks, Audrey
Author
Hello Audrey,
Thanks for writing in! Charcoal is a lovely shade!
I usually reserve my YS flats for travel, and so haven’t worn them as much as I would like to be able to brand myself an ‘expert’. However, I wore them for one week straight (only pair I brought, accidentally) and they didn’t seem to stretch much, so my ‘Greek toe’ hurts after a long while in them! Even if they do stretch after repeated use, it is definitely not fast enough in my opinion to justify the discomfort and pain. Having toes at the very, very tip wears shoes out a lot faster as well, so I would just size up, especially if you mean to be wearing them a lot.
Hope this helps! ♥
P.S. I’ll be sending this via email as well so you don’t have to check back in case you didn’t subscribe to comment replies.
Hi Cathie, Please post more about comfy shoes for a Greek toe! Im a fellow Greek toe and in addition to having a very high arch, Im also shoe model…so I am VERY careful about which shoes I buy and not destroying my feet by wearing poorly fit shoes when Im running all around NYC to castings. Ive found that I do well with open toed or peep toe heels but I always buy 1/2 to 1 size up and stuff them with Dr. Scholls. What other brands have done well for you?
Author
Hi Lauren,
Thanks so much for visiting –and you have a lovely page yourself! It’s quite nice to get a visit from a model. 🙂 I will definitely post about more comfy shoes for fellow Greek toes — just waiting for summer to pop by because I’d love to throw some sandals into the mix!
Cheers!
— Cathie
hello there! i was going to purchase a pair of YS flats online from nordstrom, but i wasnt sure if it runs on US or UK sizing! could you advise?
thank you!
Author
Hello Cindy! 🙂 YS is a US based brand, and I believe Nordstrom is an American department store –I think it’s safe to say that the sizing will be US. Happy shopping! ♥
Hello. I am wondering how wide of a toebox do these flats have. If possible Gould u send me a pic showing the front top part of the shoe. I have a problem with bunionnettes and I can’t seem to find cute wide toebox shoes
Thanks for this review. You really helped me decide on which ones to buy.
Author
I’m glad it helped! 🙂
I know this is an old post but have you tried Ballasox as well? I believe I’d seen a pair of Tieks on your IG once. I’d love to get a pair of foldable ballet flats but I can’t seem to make up my mind. :/
Author
I’ve heard amazing things about Ballasox, but haven’t owned a pair! Tieks are the best so far out of all the ones I’ve tried. I noticed French Sole/London Sole have added foldable flats to their repertoire, and so has Tory Burch. The options are growing! 🙂
Which ones are you looking into?
Since you have owned these for a bit now, how much have they stretched? – I just received mine in the mail and they fit well but if they stretch they likely wont stay on my feet, I know a size below will be too small. I wish they had 1/2 sizes….
Author
Kimberley, they barely stretch. I would say by half a millimeter –i.e. not very noticeable. I do wish they had half sizes as well!
Do you think these shoes are suportive enough and comfortable enough to be worn all day, say walking around a museum and streets. I’m going on a RTW trip so trying to pack smart. Thanks
Author
Hello @disqus_E10qdyz7Zz:disqus, I would have to say these are only good for up to two hours wear. Noting the fact that my feet have never troubled me, so for someone with the occasional/constant foot problems, the time may be even less. While they feel like a substantial shoe with some padding, the split sole means that there isn’t much arch support. I would suggest if you are looking for a foldable pair due to travelling, you could use arch support insoles along with these, but you would most definitely have to size up. Otherwise, Tieks is a far comfier (if also pricier) alternative, but depending on where around the world you’re going, they may still get uncomfortable after a while. Please note I went almost a whole day in Tieks while running around for my wedding in Victoria, BC, and was fine! But again, it depends on your feet. Good luck! I’d love to hear more about this RTW trip, and also which shoes you decide on… 🙂
Hi… i bought another 2 pairs of YS 2 weeks ago.. the orange YS i bought now got leather damage on the upper sole portion of the shoes.. sometjing different with my other pair of YS flats.. im kinda not happy with it was worn it twice palang.. i have my other pair of YS that ive been using frequently for almost a year now but iddnt experience the same prob.