Every Time I Wear These $90 Steve Madden Shoes People Think They’re from Hérmes
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TOTAL: 91/100
It’s been a hot minute since the last time I bought myself a pair of sandals. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking to yourself, Well, duh, it hasn’t been sandals season. But I’m talking years, people. Sandals have never really been my thing. (If you remember my review of the Hush Puppies Sunshine slides, then you know I cringe at the mere thought of showing off my feet.) Also, I’m of the mindset that there aren’t many affordable or comfortable flip flips, slides or sandals out there that really wow me, and you won’t catch me dropping hundreds on a designer slide either just for it to fall apart in two years. So, after a disappointing peruse in a department store, I called my sister for a long-winded debrief. She mentioned that she’d been eyeing the $90 Steve Madden Mayven Slides, comparing the striking style to that uber-popular Chypre sandals from French clothing brand Hérmes. That’s when I did the one thing a really good sister would never do: I bought them first.
Here’s my in-depth review of the affordable slides that landed me in hot water with my sister.
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What Do the Steve Madden Mayven Slides Look Like?
If you’ve ever laid your eyes on the Hermés Chypre slides, or are fortunate to own a pair, then you may recognize the familiar slip-on design in this pair from Steve Madden. The designer lookalike mimics the sleek, relaxed and sporty feel of the high-end footwear, featuring a concave, 1.25-inch heel, molded footbed for a comfy fit as well as both fixed and adjustable straps along the tops of the foot that you can tighten or loosen to your liking. Oh, and it’s less than $100. Considering that the Hérmes Chypre sandals run you $910, the Mayven slides offer considerable savings if you’re willing to sacrifice on the designer label, quality and make.
My favorite feature of these sandals is the geometric cutout design on the wide front straps (aka, the major detail tying it back to Hérmes). Well, that and the soft and suave nubuck leather, which feels incredibly chic and unlike any other sandal I spent hours trying on at the mall.
How Do the Steve Madden Mayven Slides Fit?
With my unfortunate luck finding sandals, it’s imperative that I try them on in person. As soon as I slid them on, my size 9, flat-ish feet were met with a comfortable molded footbed that is supportive and soft. And in a shoescape saturated with unsupportive, flat soles, this thoughtful detail was refreshing and made the weighted sandal that much more comfortable. The adjustable Velcro was a nice addition, too, since it let me fasten the straps to make for a more secure fit while I walked, minimizing the chances of the dreaded slip.
The break-in period differs for narrow and wide feet. I have wider feet than average (something I inherited from my dad), and the first time I wore my sandals, I experienced some slight pinching around my pinky toes and a bit of stiffness that softened up after about 24 hours. So, if you want shoes for wide feet that fit like a glove straight out of the box, these may not be at the top of your list; however, the sides of the sandals won’t dig into your feet forever. When I asked my narrow-footed sister—who bought the slides despite her annoyance with my purchase—if she experienced any discomfort or break-in period, she said no, finding the slides to fit comfortably from the get-go.
One thing we managed to agree on: The pre-fixed mold creates the occasional fart noise, but not often enough to make them unwearable.
The Bottom Line
Who knew that purchasing these $90 Steve Madden Mayven slides for summer would be fiscally responsible (especially if you’re into designer brands like myself)? They’re sleek, comfortable and oh-so casual, and they’d even pair well with straight-leg jeans, Levi’s shorts or with any one of the five versatile dresses I own. I recommend you snag these chic sandals in any one of the 16 colorways, though I’m partial to the tan nubuck finish that looks so much like an expensive suede.
If you leave here with one takeaway, I hope it’s this: Sometimes, it’s OK to break the unspoken sister rule and buy the damn shoes. (Sorry not sorry, Sam.)
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