Elphie II Lace-Up Flatform Shoe (Women)

Words fail. These exceeded expectations for style, fit, price, and comfort. Happy surprise #1: the Pink leather has a subtle pearl/rose-gold sheen that the website images don’t capture; it’s disarmingly pretty. The sole’s thinner than the classic Dr Marten boots and oxfords, more like the flexibility of the non-platform version of T-bar & Mary Janes. Laces are long enough to tie in lots of ways and wrap around ankle. The almond toe & soft pink with the yellow-stitched lug sole is surprising but not absurd; I feel like Glinda trying out a Goth phase while wearing these with unremarkable jeans. The shoes alone ARE the outfit. The loop behind the ankle will totally rub/chafe at first, I can already tell. The other touch points don’t seem to be presenting a problem, after just wearing them around the house a few hours. Socks or bandages or some macgyvered solution might help the back loop thing; either way, it’ll be worth it. As they say, you don’t break in your Docs. Your Docs break in YOU. (For size reference: I wear UK6. These feel to me as though they fit the same as 8065 Mary Janes. In other brands, I wear US8, occasionally US8.5 from narrower brands like Frye & Tory Burch, for extra toe box space)