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Best Parisian Shoes On The Champs-Elysées Reviewed
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Brand
While talking about the best of Parisian shoes, we are obviously considering only Parisian brands, either by origin or assimilation. We have some of the biggest French fashion houses included here because the best of Paris comes from some of the most renowned names in the business.
Boutiques are aplenty and there are so many little shops to be considered, however, consistency and quality are hard to find in this day and age. We looked at brands such as Lanvin, who has a rich history of quality and style. We wanted houses such as Dior and Balenciaga because they have made a name for themselves as creating aesthetics that never go out of style.
Style
The styles here are completely unique in their own right. No two of our shoes here look alike, and that is because of part of the wonder of Paris. There is an uncountable number of inspirations that come into play for designers in the City of Lights.
Whether inspired by modernist sculpture, or the ballet, French designers have an eye for innovation unlike anywhere else in the world. This is nothing to scoff at and Parisian brands are often looked to when the world needs a new trend.
From completely original heels to remarkable silhouettes, Paris is the origin of looks unlike anything else. With faceted gems or delicate lines against the foot, you can find an element of design to fall in love with no matter the fashion house you choose. Get ready to fall in love with Paris.
Value
If you didn't know already, Paris can be expensive. Considering the luxury nature of many of their products, you can imagine haute couture is a whole different price point altogether. For much of the footwear like the picks on our list, you are looking in the thousands.
We understand here at Nicer Shoes that thousands of dollars for an accessory may not be in your budget. We want consumers with any budget to be able to find something they love with our choices. To make that possible, we hunted down styles that are a true value and steal from their original price.
You can look good without going broke, so pick up a pair of these gorgeous Repetto flats and hit the town with looks to kill. Stepping out in the Dior Infinity pump will have you feeling confident and sexy, without taking out a second mortgage. Have fun with your fashion, and we'll ensure in any way we can that you shop responsibly.
Materials
This list consists of a whole lot of Nappa leather. Nappa leather can be made from a variety of animals such as goat, calf, cow, or lamb. These picks tend to lean towards mostly calf and lambskin.
The remarkable thing about Nappa leather is its softness. Made through the process of tanning, the material that the process results in is baby soft and super luxurious. If your shoes look elegant, they should be elegant. Quality natural materials are a must for standing apart from other shoes.
The casual Raffia sneakers by Robert Clergerie are another natural pick. Sourced from tropical Raffia Palm, this fabric is sturdy and is coveted for durability. The way it is woven into a current and cute shoe makes it perfectly unique for a nice summer day.
Comfort
Every single shoe on our list has a padded insole. With dress shoes, the final product is generally bare bones and thin-soled. We believe in something more. If you're going to be spending premium prices on premium shoes, you bet your butt they should be comfortable.
The high heels here all have a specific heel position, or if not, a chunky heel, to alleviate pressure on the foot and make for a more functional wear. France, specifically Paris, is mostly cobblestone streets, so shoes being worn in the city must be able to hold up to those more difficult treks!
Top 10 Picks
1. Roger Vivier Suede Pumps
You have probably heard of the Moulin Rouge. As it turns out, Roger Viver was quite the regular. In fact, his first custom shoes were made for two lovely performers by the name of Mistinguett and Joséphine Baker. You could call these women his muses, even. Seven years later, he is designing for some of the largest Fashion Houses in the world. His understanding of the foot and delicate construction creates true classics in the industry.
This shoe calls back to one of his greatest innovations, the Boule, or round ornament. He places one at the base of the heel on these, and it transforms a basic black pump into something much more. Marlene Dietrich inspired his first Boule shoe, and it seems she was used as inspiration by multiple Parisian designers, for good reason. The result is a beautiful, extravagant addition to the usual pump profile. The heel looks as if it is piercing through the gold ball, creating an unusual sculptural element as well.
This pump has the gold-toned hardware and all over black suede. Padded insoles take some edge off the 3.75-inch heel. The heel positioning on these are optimal for long-term wear and the smooth leather sole will keep you gliding with every step. Pointed toes make this extend the leg and give your foot a slim appearance, the way the shoe is cut will highlight and lay flush against the curves of the foot. These are priced midrange for designer duds and are a great deal for a pair of luxury heels.
2. Repetto Anna
A French ballet shoe company, Rose began making shoes after her choreographer son would often come home with sore feet after dancing. Multiple national operas and ballet companies now use the brand, but they have also created products for the non-dancing girl on the go. After the Cendrillon ballet flat skyrocketed to popularity when worn by Brigitte Bardot, they became a coveted style for women not only in Paris but all over the world. Now, Repetto still operates from their namesake store in Paris.
Nappa leather makes this dazzling silver flat soft and delicate. The classic Cendrillon shape with a very small heel is what Repetto is known to do so well, and when you feel this shoe you will know why. The soft wrap around satin-silk ankle tie is adjustable and elegant. Reminiscent of the classic dancer’s shoe, this is flexible and easy to just slip on. On the vamp is a delicate little bow detail, which is as sweet as the metallic hue is sassy.
Ecru fabric lines the rounded toe style, and leather lines the low square outsole. The insole is cushioned sheep’s leather and is a subtle comfort element to this basic flat. Chic and very French, this is the quintessential Parisian flat, and similar styles fly off the shelves at the Repetto store within Paris. In a gold-toned metallic as well, you can pick the color that best accents your wardrobe. While they look delicate, these will have no problem accompanying you on strolls through the city or running errands. Priced In the mid to low price range for a designer shoe, but slightly higher than other flats, this is a good entry level high fashion purchase. Plus, they go with everything!
3. Lanvin Mid-Top
Lanvin all began with a young Jeanne, making hats at the age of 22 in her own shop after an apprenticeship. She was beloved in France for her creations, and the birth of her daughter awoke a new creativity. Beginning to design outfits for her young daughter, she soon created public access to her adorable offerings. They began selling at a greater rate than her hats ever did, and Jeanne expanded to create a line for children and their trendy mothers alike. Now the oldest operating fashion house in France, Lanvin has retained and honored Jeanne's vision for the brand.
Basic black, but so much more, this sneaker is a classic sporty look made with excellent care. Perforated toes keep the leather breathable for summer months despite their dark color. All over supple leather softens the overall appearance as well. A mid-rise upper gives adequate ankle support to the wearer and a padded tongue and collar provide additional sturdiness when you put these on.
A textured outsole and reinforcement around the base of the shoe provide great traction and a firm ground feel. Nappa calfskin lends an element of luxury to this casual footwear. Tone-on-tone topstitch insets that overlap from top to bottom make this very durable and strong, they are very unlikely to tear or split. Most of Lanvin’s designs don’t feature the monochrome color palette, so this is an exclusive type of footwear from the brand. Priced in the moderate mid-range, but still a bit high for the average athletic sneaker, you are buying the quality and reputation of a long-lived French brand.
4. Balenciaga Arena Sneaker
Though founded by a Spanish designer by the name of Cristobal Balenciaga, the luxury fashion house is now headquartered in Paris, France. Our previous pick, Christian Dior, has called Balenciaga the “master of us all” when it comes to high fashion. His designs were modern and futuristic, famous for bubble skirts and gravity-defying design elements and heavily inspired by the Spanish Rennaissance. The move to France was influenced by the Spanish Civil War forcing the designer out of the country after multiple stores of his were closed. Now he remains linear and sleek.
A little white sneaker is a must for anyone with an eye for design. They go with almost everything and are a fun way to upgrade an outfit. Fully leather upper and insole ensure this feels as great as it looks, padding gives some soft cushioning along with it. The look of these is basic and sporty, with large D-ring eyelets.
This sporty sneaker has a charm on the laces that accents the super simple shoe. Chunky and wide cut, this sneaker is reminiscent of an old-school athleisure sneaker. Reinforced heel and toe patches give this light, white option a durable factor. Definitely at a high price point for most sneakers this simple, if you care properly for the level these will look and feel beautiful for a very long time. These are one of those instances of simple aesthetic done very right.
5. See by Chloe Block Heel
French fashion has not only been so accessible. Chloe was founded by Gaby Aghion, who is often credited with inventing the term and ideology of "prêt-à-porter". What this means is ready-to-wear or off the rack clothing. This concept allowed fashion houses to start producing factory made clothes that didn’t need to be tailored individually for you to wear them. Aghion, who was from Egypt, developed multiple divisions of her brand. This See by Chloe is aimed for the younger fashion lovers.
The upper on this chunky heel is constructed using suede and calf leather. The open toe silhouette accents the urban and covered ankle. Thick, open lacing looks rugged and the soft suede on the heel fold rounds the casual look out. I think this would look great as an accessory with a neutral utility style dress or coat.
Wrapped, chunky heels on both shoes create a 70s profile, accompanying the brown and tan tones make for an earthy, natural heel. Leather lining flows into a padded leather base, which improves the feel when walking in this interesting option. A rubber outsole grips the ground and provides shock absorption for the wearer. Since these are See by Chloe, and aimed towards younger people, the price is really affordable for something coming out of a fashion house.
6. Robert Clergerie Teba Sneaker
Robert Clergerie has had a long, personal career with shoes. In 1970 he began working for the famous Charles Jourdan, a shoemaker who was constantly at the center of the French shoe industry. His claim to fame was innovative materials and conservative designs. Robert Clergerie learned everything he could while working under the designer, then a mere eight years later, he bought the Joseph Fenestrier shoe factory. Now Robert Clergerie is famous for his detailed leisure wear, like this textured sneaker.
The Teba is a one of a kind style. Woven texture lends both a depth to the sneaker while remaining delicate and light. Detailed to the gills, this is the perfect sneaker to perk up a little sundress or to top off a casual look of cuffed denim and a tee. Cool and dry, these are made from Raffia which is sourced from Raffia Palms which are indigenous to the tropical regions of Africa. The leaves make for an incredibly strong upper.
While I am a big fan of the two-tone natural Raffia and Black pattern, these are also available in a natural pink that is to die for. The pale pink coloring is reminiscent of ballerinas and springtime. Comfortably lined in leather, a padded leather insole is added to ensure a great feel when hitting the town on a nice day. This is a wardrobe addition that will remain timeless, and at a price that doesn’t evoke the designer look that you’re getting.
7. L'Autre Chose
L'Autre Chose wants to combine the craftsmanship of the Italian greats with the refined style of Paris. Their shoes strive to be audacious, yet functional, a look of hyper-modernism with a classic spin. The result is flawless quality mixed with subtlely French innovation. Every shoe is a piece of art, and every step an expression of the wearer that you won’t find anywhere else. For designs that are beautiful, straightforward, but complex, L'Autre Chose is the place to go.
Something about this ankle boot just sets it apart. The profile alone is breathtaking, and the bright red color is nothing short of head turning. 100 percent leather, but slightly crinkled and glistening, these are constructed in a way similar to a cowboy boot, with the overlayed leather on leather lines.
The heel is rounded and curves out from the heel, which creates a sculptured and gorgeous silhouette. The mid-rise boot comes up past the ankle and would look amazing with a cropped pant. An inner zipper is adorned with a gold, circular pull that adds a sparkle to the boot. Geometric stitching horizontally across the upper makes the boot sleek and streamlined. This is in the mid to high price range for similar styles, but the craftsmanship you are getting with this gorgeous bootie is unparalleled.
8. Celine Slingback
Founded in 1940 in Paris, Celine came into the public eye with their Trapeze Bag, a handbag with a trapezoidal shape. Celine considers their brand to be a culmination of sport-sexy and flirty-cute. Creating youthful, carefree aesthetics, the brand began as a made-to-measure children’s shoe boutique. Launching a ready-to-wear line in the 1960s to reach everyone with their contemporary sportswear.
We all have a favorite slingback, but this is guaranteed to be unlike any other slingback in your closet. The rich burgundy leather has a deep color and bright sheen. Gore on the inner back strap makes these easy to get on and off while allowing them to flex with your foot for ease of wear. A square elongated toe and a V-shaped upper creates a sophisticated line from foot to leg. A great shoe to help pull together an outfit of trousers and a blazer.
The real standout on this shoe is the faceted heel. Appearing to be a crystal ball at certain angles, the heel is both unique and eye-catching but provides a sturdy walking and standing base as well. Geometric and complicated for the eyes, this shoe is truly a marvel for those observing it. Leather soles help you to float across the floor when entering a room and turning heads. Contemporary and cute, this slingback is at a high price point. If you are comfortable with the expense that often comes with designer tags, this would be a beautiful new addition to your collection.
9. Christian Dior Infinity Pump
Christian Dior always had an eye for fashion, though it took him a bit to get to where he is today. At around 30 he got a job cutting textiles, which led to an opportunity almost a decade later to make costumes for a movie starring Odette Joyeux. Elegance was renewed when Christian Dior put out his early collection in 1947. Dior won the equivalent of an Emmy in terms of fashion for his first couture line. When he opened his fashion house in 1946 at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, he focused on sweeping silhouettes, hourglass shapes, and iconic femininity.
I have never seen a pump anything like this. Rich Bordeaux color is reminiscent of the wine of the same name. Just from a sculptural standpoint, the Infinity pump is a next level artistic creation. The silhouette is striking, the profile shows a sleek pump with an interconnected look from arch to heel. The position of the heel isn’t only an element of design, but also creates a more comfortable shoe.
Heel positioning is one of the biggest determining features between a heel being wearable, and being, well, not so wearable. When looking for a heel that feels good, you want to find something that positions the contact point with the floor as directly under your mid heel as possible, being too far back put unnecessary strain on the foot. The way this curves in and supports the arch makes this as practical as it is gorgeous. The price doesn’t hurt either, in the low range for Dior attire, this is a deal you won’t want to miss.
10. Givenchy Shark Tooth Bootie
Luxurious and world-renowned, Givenchy is a perfume and fashion house with styles that scream haute couture. Currently, their creative director is Clare Waight Keller, the first woman to hold the position at the fashion house. Founded in 1952 by Hubert de Givenchy, their style began with raw cotton blouses featuring puffy blouses and ethereal skirts. Givenchy innovated the use of “shirting” which was a raw material very similar to print paper. The result was chic but casual fashion for every Parisian minded woman.
This Shark Tooth bootie is truly something else. The pant leg style has become popularized in recent years and lays over the shoe much like a flared jean. While there is a functional zipper on the inner ankle, a design choice adds the addition of a function turnkey closure on the outside of the boot as well. The leather construction is rich and beautiful, the pointed toe elongates the leg of the wearer. These are just as flattering as they are French!
Not only is the upper leather, but these are also lined in the material. The sole is a leather sole as well, keeping with the tradition of past French and Italian shoemakers. A four-inch wedge heel definitely gives some height, so you are sure to command attention when entering a room. This is a gorgeous bootie that would look amazing paired with cigarette pants and a simple streamlined blouse. These are French couture and have a higher price point than other similar shoes made by lower budget brands. Price is inconsequential, however, especially when it comes to high fashion of this standard.
Sources
- , What to Wear In Paris: A Guide for All Seasons,
- , Fashion Capital of the World, Blog
- , Fashion Capital, Informational
- , French Fashion, Informational