LifeStride

Parigi

Women's

I used to have a wide foot (8.5 W), but since my pregnancy my foot has gotten shorter and wider (8 WW). I also have a slight bunion but it isn't a bad one. I have struggled for many months to find a basic black pump that doesn't squeeze and pinch my foot. I do a lot of walking and standing in my job, and I refuse to wear shoes that hurt or mutilate my feet. I also refuse to wear shoes that look orthotic or like they belong on a grandmother (I'm 30 and I like to consider myself as relatively stylish). At last, I have found a pump that fits and looks good. My husband joked that Zappos should fire me as a customer because I ordered and returned like 10 pairs of pumps (Seriously. It was a lot of trips to UPS.) looking for a black pump that fit. I wish I'd tried the LifeStride Parigi a long time ago, but I didn't think that the shoe in the photo was stylish enough or the brand cool enough. However, in person this is a very pretty, classic shoe. Like another customer mentioned, it makes you feel like Kate Middleton. It isn't trendy, but it isn't dowdy. I think it's the perfect all around pump, the kind that every woman should have in her closet. It's not like walking on a cloud, but it's not uncomfortable. I'll be ordering it in another color.

In my quest for the perfect nude pump, I tried five different brands: LifeStyle Parigi, Naturalizer Michelle, Rockport Seven to 7 Low Pump, Bandolino Lantana, and Chinese Laundry Palace. LifeStyle was the winner, with Naturalizer a close second and Rockport in third place. I wear 8.5 medium in just about every brand of shoes. LifeStride Parigi: The first time I tried this on, I actually said Wow! out loud. I didn t expect a pump to be so comfortable. I thought I wanted a little higher heel, but after wearing these to teach all day I m glad I went with a lower heel. I found these true to size and width with a creamy nude color that has the slightest hint of pink. Great choice, and the winner of my comparison. 5 stars. Naturalizer Michelle: I love the color on these it s a little more tan whereas LifeStride and Rockport are creamier/paler in color. They also look very professional with a slightly higher heel and a little bit of a platform. These Naturalizers were very comfortable, but slipped off my heel and squeaked as I walked. 4 stars. Rockport Seven to 7 Low Pump: Looks similar to the LifeStride and comfort is pretty good. Unfortunately, it slipped off my heel too much and didn t fit as snugly as the LifeStride, so they won t work for me. 4 stars. Bandolino Lantana: A small toe box, too-tight grip around the heel, and a slightly lower cut at the toe area turned me off of these. They are a little more gray in color, but still attractive with a 3 heel. 2 stars. Chinese Laundry Palace: No doubt about it, these shoes look sexy. But the toe box was too small and my foot kept slipping forward. I had trouble with the stiletto heel and prefer a more solid heel for comfort while walking and standing. 2 stars.

These shoes look exactly as you see them in the photo. However, they are vinyl and not leather. They may say "kid" but inside the shoe it says 'all manmade materials.' They are simple shoes, which is exactly what I wanted and super comfortable. The nubs on the sole are great for stability and the heel is just right.

It's impossible for me to find heels that fit my extremely wide, flat feet plus overgrown bunion. Honestly, these are the first pair I've ever found in 20 years that even come close to fitting. I ordered them in a 6.5 WW. That being said, it's still a little narrow for me in the toes, but I'm going to put a shoe stretcher in them to help out with that. My heels slip out, but a couple leather-pebbled heel inserts (try Tacco or Pedag brands -- they are the best; I've tried out of all of them) solve that problem. One last thing -- they could definitely use more cushioning. Not so comfy on the bottom of your feet.

This pair of heels did not hold up well at all. By the second or third time I wore them, the color was chipping off. Loved the shoes. Loved the fit. But I did not expect the leather to compromise so quickly.