Customer Reviews Aravon Provence Portia II

I wrote a previous review about this shoe and the issues I was having with the velcro closure. I finally received my third shipment, no velcro issues (yay!) and wore them for the first time today. Bottom line? They are OKAY, not great, like my previous Aravon shoes (Tonya) that I wore ***straight out of the box*** with ZERO issues(!), loved & wore until they fell apart. This 3-star rating is partially due to my high expectations and partially due to my hard-to-fit feet. I had purchased a 7.5 W previously (perfect fit) so I ordered the same size this time as well. While I think a 7 would have been too snug, the 7.5 was a tad big = planning on purchasing some heel pads. Secondly, the shoe opening is cut lower than my previous Aravon (Tonya) so it's hitting right where my bunion is, necessitating a need for a band-aid (to act as padding). Thirdly, instead of an across-the-foot Mary Jane strap, the Provence Portia II has a modified Z-strap and the strap portion that crosses over along the inner foot rubs against the skin. These are not "stomping around the city all day" shoes - at least not for me. But I'm keeping them because they are OKAY and I can wear them in the office.

Quite comfortable, good fit, but I wish the hook-and-loop contact patch was a little larger. Hope it stays on.

I LOVED my last pair of Aravon shoes (Tonya) - they were comfortable right out of the box, which is RARE for me because I have terrible feet (flat, wide, bunions too, ugh) and I live in NYC (which means I walk a lot). They were my favorite transition shoe from summer to fall, when I need a closed shoe but it's too hot to wear socks. I wore the Tonya until they fell apart, like literally, the sole blew out. Aravon has come out with other Mary Janes but they often look clunky. This one, while not sleek, was not terrible either - although I wasn't happy with the "faux buckle with velcro underneath". (Tonya had an actual buckle closure) EXCEPT(!!!) there has been some MAJOR issues with the velcro! Velcro comes in two parts - hook, the hard side & loop, the soft side. I had to return my first pair because the velcro on the right shoe did not stick (hook & loop was sewn as hook & hook). I had to return my second pair because (once again) the velcro on the right shoe was defective (the "soft" side was half hard making it not stick well). I just placed my THIRD order after returning the other two. Keeping my fingers crossed. Otherwise the Provence Portia II felt comfortable when I tried them on (although I have not stomped around NYC in them).

Shoe looks great but the ankle strap rubs on the inside of my arch.

Great shoes! Worth the price. Fit perfect right from the box.

I have not worn them yet, but I am looking forward to wearing them with either slacks or a skirt.

SHOE KEPT FILLING LIKE TOO BIG EVEN WITH SMALLER SIZES

The shoes looked great out of the box. Unfortunately for the 9.5W ordered, they felt as if the wrong size was sent. Much bigger than expected. Was hoping tightening the strap would be enough - nope. The heel height felt great, definitely all day wearable. Sent them back because just too big.

I usually wear a 6.5 but probably need a 6 in this shoe. I had about 1/2" at the back of the shoe. The style is decent, and the shoe is very comfortable. Toe box is roomy, arch support is quite good for a heel. The only real disappointment is that the pair I received squeak - a lot! - when walking on hard floors. I am going to order these in the 6 and see if the fit is better and perhaps that pair won't squeak.

I like these but they are very noisy/squeaky when walking on hardwood floors, so I'm returning them. I tried two different sizes (the W was a better fit than the WW), and they both made so much annoying noise I know I would avoid wearing them just to avoid hearing the sound.