Customer Reviews ara Bel

I purchased the Bel cap-toe ballet flat in Navy leather with patent toe in size 7M. While the style was very nice the toe box was simply too tight; since the patent cap-toe was stiff I doubt there would be much softening with wear. The length was perfect and the heel was snug fit which is great. I must return these flats due to the small toe box (I'll search for another style of ARA that has a square or wider toe box).

The shoe is stylish, but the shoe ran a half size larger on me, and the shoe comes up too high on my heel to be comfortable.

The toe box was too shallow and felt like it pushed down on the big toe nail. Very uncomfortable for that reason.

I've worn out two pair of these shoes. They were great, comfortable, stylish. I tried to reorder a new pair, the 7.5 was much too narrow/short in the toes, the 8 was too long. What happened to ARA shoes? Quality and sizing used to be right on, not so much anymore.

These look great but were initially tight in the toe box. Pressing a little on the top of my toes. Did not hurt but not comfortable. Looks like this might change after a few wears but I prefer shoes that do not require breaking in. Lack of arch support was disappointing. Totally flat sole.

Very cute and stylish, but the sides come up too high. They hit my ankles, which is never comfortable. I have several other pairs of Ara shoes, which do not have the same problem.

The fit seemed smaller than the 8M I ordered. I never did get my foot in one of them, so I can't determine whether or not the width or length was not true to size. Leather uppers were very stiff. Style is just ok. They're plain without much styling.

These run small! Could barely fit my foot in it.

These shoes run at least a full size large. Perhaps the pair I got was sized incorrectly, as they did not come in a shoe box. Other than the size, which made them impossible to consider keeping, the style was cute.

Bel lacks the edging of Bella that keeps the shoe from gaping. Love the look, but the shoes lack structure to look polished. The rubber sol of Bella just isn't all that noticeable. I'd choose Bella instead.

I have four pair of Ara shoes - Rachel I believe - so comfortable I bought them in black, brown, navy and gray. More of a wedge than these. I wanted something a little more dressy , so thought I would try these. I have a high arch and these are flat, flat, flat! No support at all - I tried adding my custom orthotics, still doesn’t fit. I must also add that I am 82, so my days of high heels are over! Sadly, I will be returning them. They look great - just not for me.

Had to return these due to how cramped my foot felt. The leather is hard and squeezed my bunions. Beautiful shoe but not comfortable enough.

I've been buying these shoes for years because of the hand-made quality, fit and good look. Right out of the box I could tell that things have changed. The leather inner liner is now some man-made fabric and the soles are different. I've always worn a size US 8/ Euro 5.5 and they always fit perfectly, but these are big and wide and do not have any contour. These feel like $29 shoes from Payless. They are going back (thank you Zappos for the return policy) and I am mourning the loss of my favorite, go-to shoes.

Had purchased another pair of ARA shoes in UK size 7 1/2 and they fit perfectly. This shoe was the same size and was at least a full size smaller. Disappointing.

Very nice looking shoe, but the toe cover is too low for my toes!

The shoe looks and fits great -- but the sole fell off on each one within a month of wearing. I took it to get reglued at a shoe repair place, and it again started falling off within two months. Bad quality for an expensive shoe!