I am 100% obsessed with shoes from B.A.I.T Footwear! A few months ago I bought a couple of pairs of the Ione style and I love 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 you are not surprised that I am back with new styles and colours! I am nothing, if not a woman who keeps her word. Especially, if it means buying shoes because that’s gonna happen! You should probably head over and have a read of my first review but I’ll 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 review too.
I adore my Ione shoes but the Australian summer is so very hot, sandals are a must! And if you can borrow a chihuahua with a super long tongue to photo bomb you, you surely should! This is my Sisters dog Tinks and she spends a fair bit of time here while my Sister has to go to work! Tinks loves hanging out with my Mums fur boys Zac and Reg. Anyway, I decided to invest in some proper sandals this year because the jelly shoes and cheap sandals I’ve worn in the past just don’t cut it anymore. I need something more substantial, with a bit of support. After the success of the Ione style, I was thinking I’d check out what B.A.I.T had on offer. But before I got there, I was checking out Zulily and spied both the Kira and Kali styles listed there, so I did what any shoe loving bargain hunter would do and ordered a pair of each! Two beautiful B.A.I.T sandals for the bargain price of $57.93 AUD delivered! What marvellous luck!
They came pretty quickly and were packaged in their signature boxes, neatly wrapped and stuffed with a dust cover too. As usual the rustle of paper and boxes drew the attention of the resident felines! My Pyjamas is lord of incoming packages and when needed, he will bring his assistant Jean-Luc. I’d chosen the Kira in yellow and the Kali in pink. They both have the same style of sole/base, a platform that is ½” or 1.25 cm at the toe and 2” or 5 cm at the heel. Both share the same signature polka dot lining and gold hardware. The Kira has a criss cross front and t bar with an ankle strap and the Kali slip on has two buckles over the toe and laser cut diamond detail on the upper. This time I got both in a straight size 8 US (rather than the 8.5 US I chose for the Ione style) because I find open toed shoes more roomy. For reference, most Australian size 8 or Euro 39 shoes fit me perfectly.
I could not wait to try them on! I was really worried that going down that half size might have been wrong but both fitted perfectly! I was very relived. I wasn’t so sure about the Kali style when I bought them, the pictures on the website make them look a bit sort of clunky and orthopaedic (is it just me?) and I was hoping that the musk lolly pink would help counter balance that. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are simply gorgeous on the foot! They have a really nice shape to them and they look much more streamlined and elegant in real life. They are just such a cute shoe, I am going to wear them so much! What worried my about with the yellow Kira, is the ankle strap. I have so very much trouble doing and undoing the straps by myself but somehow these are kinda easy? I think that maybe they are nicely reinforced so that when you are poking the strap at the buckle it just goes in! It may be some sort of shoe sorcery but it is a life saver!
I’ve worn both pairs multiple times and they are so comfy! Like walking on pillowy clouds. Even though the platform is completely flat at the sole, they flex enough to allow you to walk comfortably on uneven ground. I’ve worn them for long days of shopping, swimsuit and jean shopping, that meant we had to go to every store on earth so that all three of us could find bathers. I’ve stood in long lines and outside of change rooms, wrangled wonky trolleys and dodged through crowds. Definitely field tested in harsh conditions! I found that the edge of the open toes on the Kira scraped a tiny, tiny bit but only on the first wear, after that nothing at all. The side of the Kali also scraped a bit but I stopped mid shop to readjust the buckle and after that they were fine. I think that I was too excited to wear them and didn’t adjust them first, so that pinch is on me!
To summarise, it’s love all round! I am really glad I had the chance to try these sandals because they are perfect everyday wear for most of the year in this climate. And if you can get shy Reggie to amble into your pic, you should. I love that they aren’t really heels but are just enough to look stylish. And finally, I have some real sandals (read: not $10 jelly shoes) that are gorgeous and comfortable. How much do I love them? Well, my gorgeous Mum offered to buy me some B.A.I.T shoes for my Birthday and I have a pair of red Kira sandals (plus teal & pink Iones) winging my way. You’re just lucky you can’t hear my squeals of excitement….
Thank you, B.A.I.T for making dream shoes! It has been a super glowing review, so I could understand if thought it might be sponsored but sadly, it’s not!
Edit: I have also added the Emmie & Sabean styles to my wardrobe – review here!
Other Outfit Details
Plain Black Skirt – Tutorial
Rows of Ric Rac Skirt – Tutorial
Pink Tee – Cotton On but altered
Black Tee – Designed by Me, buy here
Black Basket – Sun Jellies
Sunglasses – Tempt
Both Earrings – eBay
Both Headbands – Kmart Australia
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