Why This Comfy, French-Inspired Ballet Pump Is My Closet Staple

Fast Facts

• Material: nappa leather
• Size range: US 3.5 to 14
• Available widths: medium, narrow, wide
• Colors: 4

How I Tested the Shoes

I’ve owned and worn the Ada for about a year and have done extensive research on sizing, fit and comfort. My first pair ended up running small, prompting me to do an in-store try on before deciding on a new size. Since then, I’ve logged miles in New York City, where I commute primarily by walking and taking the subway. I evaluated the shoe on the PW100 for five attributes: quality, versatility, comfort, durability and value, for a total score out of 100 points.

Slightly dressier than a traditional flat

There are two things about the Ada that makes it feel updated and dressier than your run-of-the-mill ballet flat. First is the square toe box, which feels slightly unexpected when I’m used to seeing either round or pointed iterations. The second is the 1-inch heel. It doesn’t seem like a lot of height, but it’s enough to feel like wearing jeans is an occasion, or to be paired with a more formal outfit without seeming out of place.

Soft, pliable leather

The Ada features Sacchetto construction, which means the shoe is made to fit like a glove—no stiffness right out of the box. Of all my Margaux flats (and I own many), the Ada is the most pliable. After a few wears, the leather was able to stretch slightly to the shape of my wider feet.

Adjustable cord

The self-tying bow is adjustable, so you can customize the fit. It’s best used to tighten the toe box; the grosgrain is rather inflexible and won’t do much in the way of expansion.

Toe box is snug

Despite the square toe box, the shoe has a higher vamp than many of the brand’s other ballet flats, which negates any roominess it may have provided. I found it felt tighter across the top of my foot, right over the bone of my second toe. These shoes did need breaking in, and I found applying a bandage to my blister-prone areas was the best way to help ease my feet in. Eventually, I ditched the bandages and applied lotion before putting on my shoes, which provided enough slip to prevent chaffing.

Inconsistent sizing

The Ada really sent me on a wild goose chase when it came to sizing. My normal size with this brand is 36W (US 6W). That proved too small. While I suspect the leather could have stretched, the grosgrain ribbon and higher vamp prevented the shoe from stretching where I most needed it, which was across the top of my foot. The shoe also can vary in sizing between colors—the second time around, I tried on a 36.5M in a red (now discontinued); I ended up getting a tan pair which felt more snug, but not unbearable.

Leather can be delicate

I haven’t had this particular problem with The Ada, but something I have noticed across my Margaux flats is that the leather can be delicate. I’ve chipped off the color on a few pairs and had to take them to the cobbler to get patched up. They’re good as new, but it was slightly disappointing. The first time this happened was with a fairly new pair of shoes, and the price is an investment, so I would have expected them to be a bit more durable.

Try the Ada on before buying, if you can. Customer service is also top notch, and I’ve never had a problem with a return or exchange.

I’d personally recommend you start by going up a half size in length and size down in width. For example, if my normal size is 36W, then I would do 36.5M. If your feet are wide like mine, I’d go up a half size and keep your width (so I would have done 36.5W). I was able to stretch out the 36.5M fairly easily, but I know I would have preferred the extra room of a 36.5W right out of the box.

Margaux shoes are an investment, and I’ve seen the prices go up significantly over the last few years. That being said, they are some of the most durable shoes in my closet—despite the few chipping incidences—and I write that as someone who walks much more than the average person. (On a given day I can easily walk two miles just running errands in the neighborhood.) These shoes are also built to be repaired and cared for rather than tossed at the end of their life. I’ve taken many shoes to the cobbler and gotten them fixed up like new for about a quarter of the cost (per shoe) it would have been to replace them. And I’ve only done it once every three or four years.

The Ada is a great choice for anyone who wants to feel a little dressier in their everyday without putting in too much effort, and who prioritize comfort over fashion. The great thing about The Ada is that you can have both.