Customer Reviews French Sole Sloop

I am a dancer and hope to clarify some fitting questions about these lovely shoes. They are built like a literal ballet slipper, meant to wear like a little leather sock, but in this case the sole is rubber instead of suede, and the whole shoe is made to withstand more than a few rehearsals. The stretching and toe bumps are the result of the shoe's ability to conform precisely to your foot and the way you move, very like a dancer's shoe. The break-in time happens quickly in these shoes because a dance shoe needs to be usable right away, and the less it keeps its shape and takes on yours, the better. If you are narrow-footed, get your true size. I have long, narrow slippers that run between a 9½ and 10½ (with a half-size difference from one foot to the other), and am frankly astounded by the perfect fit of size 10 after only a day or so of wear. I have three pairs and wear them everywhere, including onstage. It is hard to choose, but my white naplaks are my favorites and I like patent leather that feels like it has been broken-in better than your favorite sneakers. They can take a little more wet weather, too. I live in my Sloops and now suffer less from awful foot cramps because my foot is not fighting a shoe when I walk. These are made to become uniquely yours as you wear them. I would not trade mine for anything!

I first thought these shoes were too small, but an earlier review - by a dancer - convinced me to give the fit another chance. Indeed, these "fit like a glove", but they also mold snugly and comfortably to my foot, like a good kid glove. I love them and will buy more. Does it help anyone to know I am 70, not 25?

I recently ordered these lovely shoes from Zappos, but based on mixed reviews was unable to decide which size to get. During a recent trip to New York, I decided to seek out the actual French Sole store to be properly fitted. I was very surprised to have more than one associate at the stores (there are 3 stores in NY) insist that I buy my normal size and NOT to size up as others have recommended. They say that all the time they see people go up half a size because that's what feels comfortable in the store, but that they are back within a month saying that the shoes are falling off their feet. That is because they are meant to STRETCH to accommodate your own foot, which is ultimately what leads to these shoes being the softest, most comfortable shoes in your closet. It does, however, take some break in time. I took them at their word and purchased my normal size 8. To be honest, these shoes were killing me for the first 3 days. The first day they dug into my heels necessitating moleskin. The second day my big toe still felt jammed into the toe box. By the end of the third day, however, I was able to slip them on comfortably and could finally envision these becoming my favorite pair of shoes. Personally, I preferred the wedge heel on the Zeppa to the flat sole of the Sloop, but that is a personal preference and does not reflect the comfort or quality of the Sloop. The Zeppa is actually the same shoe as the Sloop, but they've just added a small wedge heel for more support. If you love ballet flats, these will be your favorites, hands down. The beauty of Zappos is that you don't have to take a trip to New York to get them!

The manufacturer has changed the leather for the black nappa. It used to be a smooth, soft, luxurious Italian leather that just molded to your foot after you wore it several times. Loved it! I have several pairs of this shoe, and I just recently bought it for the third time in the black nappa. I was so disappointed when I received it because it wasn't the Italian leather I had known for years. It wasn't smooth and wasn't as soft. It had a texture to the leather and was totally different. If this shoe ever comes back with the smooth and soft Italian leather, I would buy it again, but because it had changed, I returned it. Again, so disappointed! Another issue was one of the shoes, had not been cut correctly across the toe area. It was noticeable right out of the box before I ever put it on. I just feel the manufacturer is cutting corners with the quality of this shoe now and also in production. PLEASE bring back the smooth and soft Italian black leather! BTW, this shoe should be ordered a half size larger than what you normally wear. It is NOT true to size.

I ordered the Black Napa in my regular size and I am very happy with the shoe! I read tons of reviews on these shoes before buying, and though almost all said to buy a half size larger (and even the company recommends this), I got my regular size because many people who upsized complained that once the shoe stretched out it lost its shape and got floppy on the sides. My shoes were snug at first, but after 2 wears they are like gloves for my feet and super comfy! Now, I do have relatively narrow feet, so this might not be the case for wide-footed ladies, but I think that when you size up in these, when they stretch (which they definitely seem to do) you end up with too much fabric, whereas if you had your normal size they start off small but stretch to fit perfectly. The shoe is like a dance shoe and does not have a stiff upper, so it really does mold to your feet. You can see the outline of my big toe through the shoe, which doesn't bother me at all, but might not be what some are looking for. I am really happy with them and will no doubt buy another pair in a different color!

I am a true size 7 (medium). My right foot is slightly bigger than my left foot. I was not sure what size to order for this flat. When I finally finish reading all the reviews and also find out the return policy of this product (return unworn item within 365 days/no extra shipping cost, thanks to Zappos' generosity), I decided to order one pair of Black Napa Leather in Size 7 and one pair of Bronze Metallic Suede in 7 1/2 at the same time. Black Napa Leather in Size 7 fits me perfectly. It was snug the first couples of days when I wore it, but felt incredibly soft on my feet. There is no heel and no arch support , but I do not mind at all. This pair gradually stretched out within a week. I have been wearing it every day for the past 25 days, and it is now a little loose. Bronze Metallic Suede in 7 1/2, however, was too big for me (what a surprise!). I keep the Size 7 Black Napa, and will re-order the Bronze Metallic Suede in Size 7. My past experiences (with other shoes/other brands) have told me that: even the company may use the exact same size measurements to make the shoes; however, not every pair (or model) turns out to be exactly the same. But thanks to Zappos' generous return policy, I got to try both sizes and found what worked for me.

I would not recommend these - as some reviewers had mentioned, they are tighter fitting at first. However, aside from that, the style and support is really not there for as much as these cost. They come too far back on the front of the foot - definitely NO toe cleavage here - and they unfortunately looked like sad orthopedic shoes on my feet. While I know that flats in general are not the most supportive, there really isn't anything there at all either inside or cushion in the actual sole of the shoe. I had tried these because so many had raved about them, but I will absolutely be going back to my Yosi Samra flats and saving some money as well! Photo: Yosi Samra Samara flats on the left foot and the French Sole Sloops on the right.

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.

I normally wear a 8.5-9 and went with the 9 because of previous reviews. No regrets. They do run a little small. I haven’t “broken them in” yet so I assume they will loosen a little in the toe bed which will be perfect. They’re like wearing nothing. I’ve been looking for a good flat forever. Rothys didn’t feel good to me so I tried these. I’m so glad I did!

I was happy to find a brand that would work for me and I would be able to wear on an all day at work kind of thing. I came upon french soles via looking up flats on here, and went by the most positive and neutral comments left here, but I did not expect that after wearing the shoes on and off for 3 days this would happen. 1. That the shoe would strech out (I normally wear between a 9 and a 9.5 saw the recommendations of going up half a size) and now I feel like am wearing shoes a whole size up than my normal . 2. That the padded footbed would come undone as it has (shown on pictures) from 3 days of wearing and that that I take turns in wearing other brand name flats to work. I hope that Customer Service works with me and these shoes are replaced for a 9.5 or am giving full credit for them. They are cute as hell and comfortable too.

Not cut right for my foot - You'd think soft suede ballet slippers would be super comfy, right? I wore these for the first time and walked around a lot- shopping, errands, etc. I got home, took them off and had terrible red welts diagonally across the base of each of my big toes right where the shoe cuts across the vamp. The next day I noticed my big toes were both numb. It's been 2 weeks now, and I'm only starting to get the feeling back. It's really weird because these have a wide looking toe box. I guess there just isn't enough height to the vamp. It's not a width issue, it's a height issue. Also, I ordered the gold and they are really sand with a subtle gold shimmer. Not gold enough for my taste. I would return them but I already wore them. Unfortunately, what I found out couldn't be found out by trying them on at home and taking a few turns around the room.

Love this shoe -- comfortable but also stylish. Goes with almost anything, skirt or pants. Too bad it didn't fit. I wear a 6.5 but the Sloop in this size was much too small for me. I wouldn't be surprised if I need a 7.5.

They felt too tight at first but I wore them for about an hour and they molded to my feet and felt perfect. My only issue is after only 2.5 months of wear, the insoles detached from the bottom and slide around in the shoe, creating uncomfortable bumps in the footbed. I have removed them and resituated the insoles multiple times and they continue to slide around making the shoes uncomfortable. I purchased a pair of $15 Dr Scholl’s gel insoles, removed the French Sole insoles and slipped in the Dr. Scholl’s and now the shoes are wonderful once again. I do feel like the price of the shoes is a bit high to expect to have to invest additional money in new insoles. Also, I’m 39 years old and have never once had to buy insoles before so this is not a common issue for me to blow out shoes! :)

Not as comfortable as I expected from all of the reviews - no support or cushioning. Toe scuffed on very first wear plus more over time :( for this much $$ that is not acceptable

I now own four pairs of the Sloop and here’s how it goes. They do feel a half size small initially but quickly stretch to fit your foot. The first two pairs I bought 4 years ago for comfort while traveling, and I bought 1/2 size larger than normal. Great strategy until they stretched out and they now bag and slop on my feet - but I still love and wear them. This time I ordered my too-snug actual size. It was a bold move as the cost isn’t cheap, but I read the reviews and drew on my own experience with the larger size. They are stretching to fit my feet quite nicely and I don’t regret the size change at all. Looking forward to more years with these beautiful comfort shoes!

I just got this shoe yesterday, and only took them off to sleep last night. I really love this shoe. The style is really cute, and despite all the reviews suggesting that I buy a size up, I bought my regular size and it fits perfectly. The shoe is intended to fit like a ballet slipper, which is snug, and that's how it fits. They do need a little breaking in, particularly in the top front edge that goes over the foot, but otherwise it is perfect. Also, with regard to the arch support complaints, I just want to point out that if your feet are normal and healthy, you do not need arch support. Shoes with arch support actually weaken the muscles in normal, healthy feet.

Gourgeous flat, very comfortable and really cute on. Not a walking shoe but fantastic for work.

I absolutely love these shoes. I have a narrow size 8 foot and am always on the look out for perfect ballet flats. These shoes are as soft on the inside as they are the outside. I ordered true to size and they fit perfectly, with a ballet flat this style, with a rounded toe box your feet should completely fill the shoe. I have them in 4 colors...love them, love Zappos.

I love the French Sole Sloop. I have a foot problem called Mortons Neuroma. I have been wearing the same two pairs of tennis shoes with an orthotic (an intersole which was very expensive) for about four years. All other shoes were painful even when I would just try them on. I have no pain when I wear the French Sole Sloop. I do not even need to wear the orthotic in the shoes. I feel like I have won the lottery. So far I have bought seven pairs. They do not hurt and they are so cute. How could anyone not get the leopard or the red? I have had to return several pairs because they were too tight on one foot. I buy my regular size 10 and if they feel a little snug, within half an hour they are fine. I tell every one about these shoes. I should also mention that my podiatrist recommended Zappos because of the variety of shoes that I could try. I have ordered many shoes from this wonderful company and have had to return them because of the Neuroma but wow did I hit the jackpot with these shoes. I ordered them based on the reviews.

This is my second pair of FS/NY and I'm very happy with these ballet flats. They are stylish and basic, just as a ballet flat should be. There is no support, so long distance walking could be a problem. If you're zipping around the city, these are great!

This is my second pair of sloops. Went a half size up. I have foot issues and always need lots of padding so I cannot figure out why these shoes with no arch support and no padding are so comfortable, but they are. I love that they are so roomy in the toe area. And so cute. I have not been able to find another ballet flat that measures up!

The reviews on these shoes were mixed as to what size to order. The best review that I would hold to is the one from the ballerina. Just like her, I have two different sized feet; usually between 10 and 11, and I have narrow feet. 11 almost never work for me because they also make them far too wide for my feet. I ordered a 10½ and an 11 just to be safe. I will be keeping the 10½. So all that to say that you should order your true size, and know that they will stretch quickly even if they feel a little snug.

Cutest, most comfortable ballerinas I've ever worn! Definitely recommend going up a half size from your normal size, because I'm normally a 9 and it was way too tight, even taking into account the possibility for stretching. Even the 9.5 was a little snug when I first put it on, but it stretched out and fits perfectly now. Normally these types of shoes rub in one place or another on me, but these didn't, they required no real break-in period. I was a little hesitant at first to spend this much on a pair of flats, but after spending money on another pair a few months ago, and that pair completely wearing out (it was Lucky Brand Emmie) way faster than it should have, I figured it was worth it to get this pair, because I don't see these wearing the way my others did. There is definitely a quality difference there.

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 my new flats! I waited 2 months before Zappos had them in stock, because I felt they were worth the wait! They totally were! I love how soft and comfortable the shoe feels on my foot. I get compliments on them all the time at work. I am typically a size 7.5 and I ended up getting a size 8 as was suggested by other customers. Take heed to this advice, the 8 fit like a glove. I love my shoes!