The Ballet Slipper Miracle

I have never owned a pair of ballet flats that have not done a grievous violence to my feet. That is, until now.

I had heard of the brand Sambag, known for their ballet flats, but I had not tried them on before. Ballet flats, a classic shoe shape, by rights ought to be comfortable enough to walk around in all day. However, with my past experience in mind – ballet flats that pinched excruciatingly and had me hobbling rather than dancing on air – I would have been extremely reluctant to part with the $165 retail price tag that was attached to this pair.

Ballet flats … by rights ought to be comfortable enough to walk around in all day.

But when I stumbled across these pretty patent slippers in a charity store, I was willing to give them a chance. They were still in their original box, barely worn, and when I tried them on, remarkably they felt immediately comfortable. The leather was quite soft, and I had room for my toes. It was a footwear miracle. I also loved the colour, ballerina pink, although on my feet they could legitimately be called ‘nude’ – they make me look like I am traipsing about in bare feet, which is amusing.

When I took them to the counter, the staff informed me they were charging the comparatively high price of $30 ‘because the soles are leather’. I refrained from replying that simply meant they would wear out quicker, and also it would make them dangerously slippery. (Slippery slippers!) I merely smiled acquiescence and bought them.

These shoes turned out to be a brilliant purchase, for I’ve worn them so many times in the last month or so since I bought them. My only regret since is that they have become a little scuffed because I have worn them so much!

Photo: April 2016