If you are a regular reader, you will know I am 100% obsessed with shoes from B.A.I.T Footwear! It all started a year ago when I bought a couple of pairs of the Ione style and I loved them so much! I have a huge review post all about them and all about B.A.IT shoes too. In that review, I said that I was determined to own all the colours and try all the styles. So I’m sure there is no surprise that I went back to get a few more of the same Ione style in more colours. And also bought a pair of pink Kali sandals and three pairs of Kira sandals. If you want a review of the Kira and Kali styles, you can read about them here. As a girl who loves a comfortable and glorious cute shoe and I am nothing, if not a woman who keeps her word. Especially, if it means buying all the shoes because that’s just gonna happen! I will bring you all the reviews! If you are new to B.A.I.T shoes, you should probably head over and have a read of my first review and maybe my second sandal review to get the scoops. I will do a quick recap here because B.A.I.T (But another innocent tale) Footwear are the answer to my colourful, matchy matchy, vintage loving footwear prayers. Plus you probably want some info if you haven’t come across B.A.I.T shoes before.
So here are the B.A.I.T basics! B.A.I.T make lovely, colourful, vintage inspired shoes. There are a few higher styles but many have a lower heel, which is goddamn fantastic! They are based in the US and prices on their website are quoted in US dollars. I’m pretty sure that most, if not all, their shoes are vegan leather which I prefer. The prices aren’t bad, starting around $60 US and up, depending on style. I would expect to pay that for a quality shoe. Local shipping is quite cheap and free over a certain point but international shipping starts at $35 US (for one pair) and is worked out checkout for multiple pairs. Shipping has been really speedy, even US to Australia. The sizing is in US sizes too, I think fit depends on style so check my other reviews too (Ione here and Kira/Kali here). They often have a few selections on Zulily, which are more like sales prices and the shipping to Australia is far more reasonable. Of course the sizing and styles are limited but if you keep your eye out, you might just find a bargain!
I have realised that I just can’t wear cheap shoes. That rubber coated cardboard is not enough to properly support my foot! I carry extra weight and I am getting older and those flimsy Kmart shoes just leave me hurting – I know because I tried the other day and suffered so bad! Bait shoes are actual, proper, supportive shoes in all the styles I’ve tried. Someone commented that they were shocked that I was wearing flats and I was shocked they thought I wore heels! Every Bait shoe I have has a little heel or platform. I don’t ever really feel like I am wearing a heel in them at all. But a girl does need a few good flats that support their feet and let them run though Target like greased lighting! So I decided I needed some cute flats that I could wear with jeans that would look smart, cute and pulled together. A good flat can elevate the most simple of leggings/jeans looks. I loved the quilted look of the Sabean loafer flats and thought the piping and bow added that smart and sassy element I wanted. I picked up a pair in size 8.5 from Zulily for the super low price of $17.99 plus shipping – Yay!
I always go up a half size (I’m usually an 8) in closed toe Bait shoes and I found these a tiny bit big. That said, smaller might be less comfortable and these Sabean shoes are so comfy! I have worn them so much more than I expected. From chucking them on for a quick trip to the shops to meeting for drinks or attending meetings. They are just right with any jeans based outfit and I love that they look so quality and just nice! In the sewing world there is a concept of sewing ‘frosting’ (the super fun, more crazy stuff) and not enough ‘cake’ (the basics you need and use every day). These are my perfect ‘cake’ shoes and I’m tempted to buy a back up pair.
I have been seeing so many cute saddle shoes around on Instagram! I’m such a history nerd, so I have to tell you that the saddle shoe was THE choice of shoes for everyday, especially for the collegiate set. They are called saddle shoes because of the shaped coloured section and its visual resemblance to a saddle and they are a form of the Oxford shoe. They were hugely popular in the 40’s and 50’s and while most were white with a black ‘saddle’; red, green or tan ‘saddles’ were also popular. They were worn with socks and without, with jeans and skirts and by men and women. If you want a better history, you should check out this post from Vintage Dancer.
No surprise that I wanted my own saddle shoes! I know black and white is the classic standard but I had my heart set on a teal or green. I just liked the idea. The Bait saddle shoe style is Emmie and like all their styles, it comes in loads of colours. I was super excited to find a seafoam pair of Emmies on Zulily in my size of 8.5 for $46.99! The fit is just perfect for me and similarly to the Ione style, they are quite sturdy on the first wear. I’ve worn mine a few times and they do break in quite easily. There was no foot soreness at all, just some resistance to bending. And these shoes look so cute with jeans or a skirt! I feel like I should be dancing!
In summary, it’s love all round – again! I swear I’m not getting paid or in any way compensated. I think it’s hard enough to find a shoe that is supportive, comfortable and looks cute, let alone vintage/ retro inspired. I can be hard to please and hard to part from my limited cash. I WANT reviews like this! I need to know if I can trust a brand and what size to get and all the info before I buy. I am bit of B.A.I.T fan girl but it’s only because I’ve found my shoe place. My Sister has kid sized shoes, a Euro size 34, so her shoes are much harder to find. I found her a tiny shoe place (Charles & Keith) and she just keeps buying from there. If you want some tiny shoe reviews, let me know! But for now – thank you, B.A.I.T for making dream shoes!
Owned B.A.I.T Shoe Tally:
- Ione Black
- Ione Red
- Ione Rose
- Ione Teal
- Kira Yellow
- Kira Black
- Kira Red
- Kali Pink
- Sabean Black
- Emmie Seafoam
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