Tieks – My Review on a Popular Shoe

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I was on the hunt for a great looking pair of flats that I could wear with almost anything. They had to be comfortable, easy to wear, and a little different from the norm.

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I have a pair of Rothy’s that I love and wanted to find something similar in a leather version for fall and winter.

After breaking my ankle last winter, it’s sometimes tough to find shoes that fit and are comfortable as I am still healing and deal with swelling.

tieks seemed to fit the bill.

These opinions are my own. I was not compensated by tieks in any way.

What Are tieks?

tieks by Gavrieli are handmade Italian leather ballet flats with signature split turquoise rubber soles, that fold into a small package for travel. Available in a rainbow of colors, textures, and patterns, Oprah made them a household name when she put them on her O’s list of favorite things in 2011.

People LOVE These Shoes

I first heard about tieks from a co-worker who has a pair in hot-pink (so cute!) Eight years after the Oprah list.

Better late than never I guess.

After a little online research, the tieks ads followed me around the internet as they’re supposed to; teasing and taunting me to give in to my impulsiveness. Hello, remarketing. You little devil.

What Others Are Saying

The online reviews are alll about how comfortable these shoes are and how you can wear them with almost anything.

Lots of people say they have multiple pairs in a variety of colors. At a minimum of $175 per pair. You go girls!

That’s a lot of dough for a ballet flat. There must be something to them if so many people are saying the same thing, right?!

There are a bunch of young moms out there saying they have even worn them to Disney and beyond. Whoa.

Now that’s an endorsement. My feet hurt just thinking about a trip to Disney filled with standing and walking miles, let alone actually wearing anything other than an athletic shoe with a ton of support and padding.

A Slight Case of FOMO

Yes, I definitely have the fear of missing out syndrome. shrugs

After reading about tieks shoes and how much people love them and the idea that they were touted as the equivalent of the LBD (little black dress) but in shoe form, meaning I could wear them almost anywhere and with almost anything; jeans, dress pants, skirts, etc.

I had to try them.

But, since the price is a lot more than I would usually spend on shoes, especially a simple flat, and I had already splurged a bit on Rothy’s washable shoes earlier in the year, I abstained.

Until I didn’t.

My curiosity got the better of me. Hey, I tried, ok?

My Take / Review

Colors

When I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a pair of tieks, choosing a color in their Boutiek (cute play on words) was daunting.

There are soo many color options, plus patent leather, textures, fabric, etc.

But, being that I was spending a bunch of money, I wanted a color I knew I would wear a lot.

So, I chose classic matte black in plain leather. I know, I know. Boooring aka practical.

Sizing

The website and reviewers online share that since there are no half sizes offered, it’s recommended to go up a size when ordering.

My regular shoe size is 8.5, so I ordered a size 9 to try.

Once I decided on the color and size, the buying process was easy and user-friendly.

Shipping

They shipped quickly and free. You can’t beat that. I was surprised that they were mailed to me via the US postal service priority mailing instead of a shipping carrier such as UPS or FedEx.

But, after some research, the consensus is that anything under two pounds will ship faster and cheaper going through the post office.

The shipping box is white and has no mention of tieks on it. I was grateful for this as I wouldn’t want others to know what is in the box.

Inside the box

After opening the white shipping box, you’ll find another turquoise box and a hand-written thank you note from someone at tieks.

I found this to be a nice touch. So few companies, or anyone really, hand writes anything, especially thank you cards.

Around their signature turquoise box was a little band with a fabric flower and a rhinestone center. In my favorite color coral. How did they know?

Inside the turquoise box was tissue and the flats folded so the soles were showing. It’s really impressive how these shoes fold up so small.

Also included in the box were two sets of black satin shoe covers; one for the flats and one sized big enough for a pair of heels. And a little booklet about tieks.

Fit

When I tried on the size 9, they seemed floppy, even at the end of the day when my feet had swollen.

Don’t get me wrong, the elastic hung on, but the shoe itself had too much room in the middle of my foot and the toe box.

They are definitely flats. There is no arch support at all in these shoes.

While the leather on the footbed is quality, it is also hard with no cushion and has little flexibility.

Also, my big toe seemed to rub against the top of the toe box. (see pic above)

This is something that is noted in almost every review and comments online: The area where the big toe meets the leather wears out the quickest.

More research online uncovered that there is a breaking-in time of about a week or two, you have to go through before tieks are really comfortable.

Customer Service

I called the customer service number and the rep was very nice and accommodating.

She offered to send me a size 8, free of charge, to try on to determine which size was a better fit. And included a return label for the one that didn’t.

She even offered for me to call back and talk through the fitting once I received the other pair. Gotta love great customer service.

Exchanges/Returns

Note: The rep asked me multiple times if I had worn the shoes inside only. The return/exchange rule is that you can do so as long as the soles look new. Meaning you cannot wear them out of the house at all and expect to return or exchange them.

I received the size 8 in about two days. While they fit better than the 9, they still weren’t comfortable. The toe box seemed too tight, and the elastic around the top of the shoe did too.

As promised, I was able to return both pairs of shoes with the one return label and was refunded for the one pair they had originally charged me for. It was an easy transaction.

All I needed to do was box up the two pairs and add the label to the box and drop off at the post office.

tieks is definitely one of the easiest and nicest companies to do business with, in my experience.

My takeaway

I really wanted to like them. I really did.

There’s basically a cult following on Instagram and Pinterest and I wanted to be a part of it. Everyone looks so cute in their fun colors and easy to wear flats in the #tieks thread on Instagram.

What’s comfort got to do with it? While Tieks are well-made shoes, they just aren’t for me. I prefer shoes that don’t need to be “broken in” before I can wear them.

The older I get the more I am about comfort and cuteness, and I don’t have the time or patience to wait around to have my shoes become comfortable.

I prefer they do this as soon as I put them on.

What about the turquoise soles? That’s one of the things that drew me to these shoes. The signature soles. They’re different, without being obtrusive, with just a small pop of color.

How about the split soles? Honestly, I didn’t even notice they were split when walking,

tieks have a lot going for them; the leather is wonderfully soft on the outside, they are cute with a signature split turquoise sole, and are perfect for travel since they can fold in half.

I really wish they were for me. But, unfortunately, they’re not. I’ll stick with my Rothy’s for now.

By the way, if you use this link, you can get $20 off your first pair of Rothy’s sustainable and washable shoes and I will get $20 off another pair. Love them!

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Have you tried tieks? What are your thoughts on them; yay or nay? Tell me in the comments.

Do you have any suggestions for a great leather ballet flat? I’m still on the hunt. If you have a brand you love. Shoot me an email at info@discoveringmidlife.com or let me know in the comments. Thanks!

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