French Sole
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About French Sole
For over 25 years, French Sole Shoes, a tiny store in New York City's swank Upper East Side, has been home to the world's largest collection of ballet flats. From New York's social elite to movie star icons and even royalty, all have flocked to French Sole's unpretentious haven for the best ballet flats found anywhere. Via its iconic store and globally through its FS/NY brand, French Sole sells a wide array of ballet styles in over 300 treatments, ranging from animal prints to its own exclusive materials. Fusing true fashion with cozy comfort, French Sole puts the emphasis on proper fitting.
The design of the shoes is what makes French Sole stand out from the plethora of companies that have sought to emulate their formula for success. Only French Sole combines a true ballerina fit (each shoe molds to the wearer's foot) for the ultimate in comfort with cutting edge fashion and a selection that is unmatched – qualities that clients come to expect and appreciate from French Sole Shoes. But aside from the myriad variety of ballet and other shoes available, it's the people behind French Sole that have really made it a success.
French Sole Shoes is owned by Randy Ochart, who has passionately focused on designing, manufacturing and marketing the hottest ballet flats in the world from Spain, Italy, France and Brazil. When asked about the future of ballerinas as a category, Ochart explained, "In a phase when it seems that everybody feels the need to re-invent the ballerina, we stand alone as specialists. The extraordinary factories we have worked with for so many years understand the distinction between a ballerina and a flat shoe with a string attached." The fit, look, and hand of a ballerina is what French Sole is about, not just a hot trend.
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French Sole Reviews
The shoe ran true to size for me. I ordered a 1/2 size larger than I normally wear and it was too big. Also, the shoe is unstructured so if feels a little flimsy.
Love these shoes. I am "toning down" the heel height of my shoe inventory and these are perfect for casual and work. I wear a 7, but went by the recommendation of a size up - right on the nose. Perfect fit! My husband even commented on how nice they look. Thanks, Zappos, for the review feature of your site, which is immeasurably vital to buying shoes online!
I love these. They broke in completely after the first 2 wears, I believe (and there were places to break in -- they just adapt really well). They're higher in the back than most of my flats, and between that and the complete toe coverage, stay put exceptionally well. The toe has ample room, so no crowding in there. The sole is thin, but thick enough to walk on even cobbles (you'll be aware you're walking on cobbles, but not painfully so). If you're wearing them on a cold day, though, the cold will penetrate eventually. I bought my usual size in these, and I have no regrets. I've been wearing them for about 2 months now, pretty often, and I can't say they've noticeably stretched at all. When these wear out (which won't be anytime soon), I'll replace them with an identical pair. Great flats.
I love these shoes. A little tight when I first wore them but they molded to my feet and were my go to shoe.
Why didn't I believe all the reviewers who expressed the shoe being too large? It is by 1/2 size. I wear a 9 and in this color (black) and style (PassportR) I fit an 8 1/2.
I ordered these ballet flats to wear with leggings and tunics, and they are really cute. I have other shoes in this brand, and it is one of the most reasonably priced brand of shoes made in Italy. The only problem with these shoes is that there is no arch support, and they could use more cushioning. I put an insole pad in them, and they're fine. They also tend to run about a half-size smaller than I normally wear.
Lovely shoes; just too large and I will exchange for a smaller size. I normally wear a size 9.5 or 10 depending on the shoe. I ordered a 9.5 and definitely need a size 9. I haven’t worn a size 9 in many years! It’s worth the bother of exchanging these shoes.
I bought this in 8.5 Black Napa because I didn't want to have to worry about getting the suede wet. I normally wear an 8.5 and these fit perfectly. I hope they don't stretch out too much. The only ballet flats that Ive had that I loved were by jeffrey campbell and they were from 2006. I like the french soles, the leather is really soft. Unlike the other flats, these come back slightly farther on my foot, covering all of my toes. THe only thing I don't like about these shoes is that my big toe pokes the top of the leather because it's so soft. I will live with it since they are so comfortable. They are about 20% old lady-ish. I'll set a reminder on my phone to update this review in six months and let you know if they stretched out too much.
Had to return this because everyone said by a half size larger, so I did and though one felt sort of okay, I could tell they would stretch, so I would just buy your size. They look beautiful and are really soft and comfy even though I haven't worn them all day, but I wanted to warn people about the sizing.
Very well made. Comfortable, cushioned insole, beautiful navy color. Sized smaller than normal, by 1/2 size.
Shoe is narrow. If in-between sizes, size up. I'm usually a US size 8.5, slightly wide foot. Size 39 is snug but I think this shoe will stretch with a few wears. Size 40 is loose on me, if it stretches with wear it will be too big and seem sloppy on. I got the size 39.
My red suede Sloops just arrived and I think they are the cutest shoes that I have ever owned! In fact, I have a crush on them. This might be the beginning of a new romance. I wear a size 7 so I ordered a 7½ and they fit perfectly. I love them. I love Zappos.
Nice quality beautiful shoe, good support. Looks stylish and work appropriate. True to size lengthwise. I wear an 8.5 and the 39 fit well. Unfortunately the last is narrow and top cuts uncomfortably across the ball of my medium-width foot.
I'm just looking at the bottom of the shoe you can see that it is narrow. lived up to my hunch when I put it on my foot. I suppose my feet are a little wide in front, but this also seems more narrow than most shoes. Too bad, b/c it's a beautiful shoe.
This is the cutest little flat shoe ever! I received the leopard print today and want this shoe in every color! I am between a 6.5 and 7. I ordered the 6.5 and it is pretty snug, but I think the shoe will stretch and don't want it to look sloppy, so I'll keep these and work on them a bit. You may want to consider ordering a half size up. These shoes defy cuteness...flattering, well made - love them!
I was so excited when I placed my order for the French Sole Sloop flats. I love the look and the simplicity of them. With that said, I was very disappointed when not even a month after received them the insole became loose and eventually came out of the shoe. I have had to use inserts to replace the soles ever since. For the price and a company called French Sole, I didn't think that I would be having a problem with the sole of the shoe.
Overall these shoes are very cute. Soft flexible fabric, nice shape. However, these shoes were way too short and too narrow for my feet. I usually wear a size 7 and ordered a size 7 1/2. I thought about ordering a size 8 but I think they would still be too narrow. So I'm returning them.
Love these shoes, but they just didn't work with my fat feet. They run very small, a full size, and they are really tight across the toe. Otherwise they are a beautiful shoe that needs no breaking in. They just didn't work for me, so I had to return them. Zappos is such a wonderful customer service based company!
I love the French Sole Sloop. One size larger. Always. They are what they are, so if you want or need support' look elsewhere. If you want an elegant little flat that looks expensive, then this is your shoe.
