Finding cute but comfortable footwear has always been one of my biggest challenges when it comes to fashion. Most shoes only offer one or the other.
Enter, Vivaia – an eco-friendly footwear brand known for its comfort. But, do they really hold a candle to other brands, and are they worth the price tag?
So… what’s Vivaia?
Though I hadn’t heard of it until recently (apparently, I’ve been living under some kind of rock), Vivaia shoes have been worn by just about everyone from Katie Holmes to Julia Roberts and Selena Gomez.
The brand launched in the US back in 2020 and quickly became known for its key philosophy – why can’t heels have a sneaker-like comfort? Now, they’re being sold in over 61 regions, including here in Australia.
What makes the shoes different?
Vivaia makes all kinds of shoes, from sneakers to boots and ballet flats. Though they all look different, they all represent the brand’s signature means of production and comfort.
The shoes are eco-friendly, made with recycled plastic bottles. These bottles are chipped into thread and knitted into the top of the shoe.
They also have a unique padded sole in each and every shoe which is reminiscent of yoga mat material, ensuring support in both the heel and the arch of the foot.
What are they like to wear?
I’ve been testing out Vivaia’s Margot Mary-Janes in the shade Ruby Red.
The shoes are square toe Mary-Janes, complete with an adjustable instep strap with a silver buckle.
One of the first things I noticed about the shoes was the sizing. I have narrow feet, which means I constantly have trouble finding ballet flats that fit without major gaping on the sides, and my heel coming out with every step.
Vivaia’s sizing on the Margot Mary-Janes is fairly narrow, meaning that my normal shoe size fit me perfectly. I would even feel comfortable wearing them without the strap.
For those with wider feet, however, they recommend going a size up, or purchasing one of the specific wide sizes, which are sold for some of the more neutral, popular shades.
As far as comfort goes, I would say that these shoes are winners. They’re incredibly flexible and though, like any ballet flat or Mary-Jane, they require some wearing in on the heel, they’re a lot easier to wear immediately than a lot of other shoes.
Should you buy them?
At $171, Vivaia’s Margot Mary-Janes are not cheap shoes. However, if you’ve been on the look out for a more comfortable shoe for work, or for every day, I’d definitely give these a go.
Cassidy Pearce
Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022.