Vince 'Blair 5' Slip-On Sneakers

I've upped my slip-on sneaker game this summer and splurged on a pair of Vince 'Blair 5' Slip On Sneaker while Nordstrom was running a sale. They're perforated leather and I got them in the taupe color ("Woodsmoke"), which acts as a great neutral - particularly in the summer with bare legs (even better for someone who, unlike me, has actually managed to get a tan this year). The shoes typically go for $195 and I got them for a cool $130, which seemed like a steal when compared to the original price but still feels ridiculous to admit spending on a sneaker.

I must say though - they have been well worth it. As you probably know, shoe shopping is an endless battle for me (dead sesamoid bone removed December 2013), so I was pretty overjoyed when these fit the bill. The leather interior felt amazing from the first moment I slipped my foot in the shoe, and the shoes have become my go-to throughout the summer for commuting to work and hanging out on the weekend. Never a break-in period, never a blister - even in the sweaty summer heat. I bought them in May and they're still going strong. And they've only gotten more comfortable with time.

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It's hard for a sneaker to be sleek, but these somehow manage to do just that without sacrificing comfort. I like the stiffness (sturdy but with just the right amount of give) and thickness (about 1") of the sole combined with the softness of the leather upper (like buttah!). For someone with my foot issues, these are just what the doctor ordered - and they're darn cute, to boot!

Reviews say to size down. I am not sure I agree. I wear a 9 and I have these in the 9, and they fit like a dream - though I do have pretty unique feet. Everywhere I recommend below offers free shipping and free returns (without the annoying labor of having to log back in online and print out a shipping label), so order two sizes and return what doesn't work.

They work great with almost any look - jeans, dresses, shorts, even suits... I am particularly digging the slouchy dress-with-sneaks look right now (like the Nordstrom one shown above)... and I'm heavily considering investing in a pair of the black version of these sneaks for fall.

Where to Buy
You can buy these shoes lots of places, but not all online sellers are created equal. The below three are my favorite online destinations for good quality (nice packaging with tissue paper!), customer service and fast shipping with free, easy returns). Shopbop in particular, if you're an Amazon Prime member, is a dream. You're paying a lot for these shoes, and the purchase experience should be an enjoyable one.
Nordstrom, $195
Saks, $195 (use code 'FREESHIP')
Shopbop, $195 (2 day free shipping with Amazon Prime)

Happy Sneaking!
KK

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