My Gen X Mom Has Super Wide Feet and Can't Stop Wearing These Ballet Flats

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 5 to 11
• Widths: A-C (standard), D-EE (wide)
• Colors: 10
• Materials: recycled plastic
• Machine-washable: yes

How We Tested the Vivaia Margot Walker Flats

I sent my mom a pair last year, and she’s incorporated them into her daily footwear rotation. From grocery shopping and walking with my grandma to dinners out with my dad, she evaluated them on our PureWow100 scale, scoring the shoes for comfort, design, durability, versatility and value, for a total out of 100 points.

The Margot Walker flats have a square toe that gently tapers off for a slimming effect. “I love the Achilles heel cushion on the back [that prevents the shoe from slipping off your heel when you walk], and the style makes my wide feet look slimmer,” my mom tells me. “The fabric is soft and the footbed is cushioned; pretty comfortable, but the wide size was just a bit narrow.” Though they weren’t incredibly roomy, the fabric stretched to accommodate my mom’s feet without chafing or blisters. The flats have Vivaia’s signature herbal insole with light arch support. The only way I can think of to describe the sensation when I walk in my own Vivaia flats is buoyant.

Durable and Easy to Style for All-Day Wear

One of my favorite aspects of Vivaia’s shoes is that most styles are machine-washable, including the Margots. My mom tells me that her shoes are scruffy, so opt for a darker color or be prepared to throw them in the wash. (FWIW, my own pair of flats have held up remarkably well after a tumble through the machine.) The material will hold its shape, but, as I noted above, will give when needed.

As for styling, my mom says, “I feel these shoes are good with jeans, slacks or shorts.” Her style is more casual, and those pieces of clothing make up the bulk of her wardrobe. “They can be worn all day to run errands,” she adds.

While my mom maintains that the flats are comfortable (no blisters or rubbing), the shoes could be wider. The stretchy upper is accommodating, but if it didn’t have this feature, then the shoes would be too narrow.

Additionally, they are a bit pricey given their ultra-casual design and materials. I can buy reasonably comfortable dress shoes for about this price, which is something to keep in mind.

The Bottom Line

Vivaia’s Margot Walkers are low-maintenance, easy shoes that are comfortable enough for everyday wear. Though made from recycled plastic, the fabric is buttery and doesn’t cause blisters, stretching to fit the foot. My mom and I both love that you don’t have to be precious with these shoes, and can toss them into the washing machine when needed. Now that we’ve got her shoes nailed down, it’s on to the next part of her wardrobe makeover.