When the Boden Alice heels were launched back at the beginning of SS15, it was a case of instant love. I salivated over them and added them to my basket regularly but the sensible side of me never went through with the purchase because at the end of the day, they're not school run shoes and I'm not in a position to wear heels every day. They would have become beautiful ornaments to be worn at occasions....occasionally.
It was as if Johnnie heard my laments because what do you know - Boden released a flat version of these stunning shoes last month! And as if that wasn't good enough - they offered me a pair to road test on the school run. Well - talk about a no-brainer...meet my Alice Flats in Amethyst...
I will admit to staring at them for quite a while when they arrived. They really are as beautiful in real life and like all of Boden's footwear, extremely well made (leather lined/soled/uppers). Size-wise, they don't come in half sizes so I went up to a 40 and they fit me well. Some room but not enough for the 39 to fit my wide foot.
For their day on the school run, I kept the rest of my outfit fairly simple but couldn't resist this leopard scarf that had some purple on it. It's an old scarf I've had for years and years.
Stripe Breton - Joules
Jeans - Maison Scotch (past season)
Sparkle & Spikes Necklace - SGS Shop
Leopard Scarf - so old I can't remember where I got it!
Comfort wise - I wore them all day and found them great. I had the usual issues I get with very flat shoes in that I'd not wear them on a long walk but they were perfect for my usual to-ing and fro-ing and for a few meetings I had scheduled while the kids were at school.
My only dilemma was that I don't want them to get wrecked...part of me wants to wrap them up in tissue and not use! But I also feel strongly about wearing things that make you happy and give you joy every time you look at them and these really do tick that box for me. So much so, I'm tempted to pick up the black ones as I think they would be great for choir gigs.
So what do you think? Too fancy for the school run or have Boden struck gold with some high heel glamour in a flat practical school run shoe?
Ax
Disclosure - these shoes were provided to me free of charge by Boden. I was not paid to write about them nor was I obliged to. All views and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support my blog :) xx
What a gorgeous colour!! Love how you have styled them :)
ReplyDeleteYou wear them girl. They're too gorgeous to be kept in the box. The Alice shoe must be the most iconic piece of footwear this season. Boden on bob on with their shoes at the moment xx
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful! Love them. Definitely more practical than the heeled version. Love! Lynne xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous Avril, they look fab on you. I have the high heel version in the same colour and whilst I adore them I think if the flat version would have been out at the same time i would have opted for them. I am such a wuss when it comes to wearing heels, flats win every time and your ones are flats are their very very best xxx
ReplyDeleteNow you're talking! Flat shoes rule on the school run definitely. And yes, you should wear them as much as you can. You never know you might eventually go off them and then you will never have let them have their moment. I've done that with some shoes. Poor unloved things.
ReplyDeleteIf they give you joy wear them!! They are beautiful.....way too lovely to be wrapped in tissue! Enjoy them Avril! xx
ReplyDeleteThey are far to beautiful to be admired in the box Avril. I know you don't want to get them wrecked but as they're flat they're perfect for the school run and running in and out of the car, shopping etc. I do love a high heel but also love my fancy flats too, they can really dress up and otherwise boring outfit of jeans and a Breton. Wear them and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSeriously coveting these since spotting on your instagram, think I actually prefer the flats! X
ReplyDeleteDef too pretty to be kept in the box. And I think you styled them perfectly well for the school run, not too 'glam', just the right amount of 'made an effort' or 'am off out for lunch later' type of a look?? I like it x
ReplyDeleteThey're fab Avril. I have the high heeled version and absolutely love them but of course, they are not for the school run! I do think Boden have struck gold with these. There are some nice Boden flats in the Winter preview too. Mmmmm xxx
ReplyDeletewww.whatlizzyloves.com
I deliberated over them to Avril. I have so many heels and not enough places to wear them! I received the email with the flats came in and thought it was meant to be (naturally, if a shoe carries the same name as your daughter you ought to own pair right??!!) but haven't taken the plunge yet. So great to read a review on them, I really think they should be mine! x
ReplyDeleteThey are truly gorgeous! Enjoy and wear them. I see a few neck purple purchases ahead to co-ordinate with them!!
ReplyDeleteThey are AMAZING - I can't tell you what I love more - the colours, the style or the flatness!
ReplyDeleteOh how lovely! Definitely wear them .. all the time! And then on those grey dull days when you're standing at the school gate, you can glance down and immediately feel brighter & happier :)
ReplyDeleteAvril, those are amazing! so so pretty - and I love that they're comfy too as (weirdly) so many flats I own are not!
ReplyDeleteOh they are gorgeous!!! Boden are very clever doing a flat version aren't they?! No point keeping them for best wear them well Luv! Andrea x
ReplyDeleteThey are seriously pretty shoes! I really love them and the way you have styled them with this outfit :)
ReplyDeleteAntonia x
What has been your experience with the leather soles on these shoes? I found that it scratches and gouges really easily on outside pavement.
ReplyDeleteHi Lucia - sorry for the delay replying. Your comment came through when I was away last week and I'm still catching up! To answer your question, I have had a thin rubber sole put on them - as I do with all my leather soled shoes. I wore them a few times to roughen up the sole for better adhesion and then brought them in to be soled. It protects the shoes and it makes me less liable to slip - which I've been known to do on occasion. :) Hope this helps! Avril x
DeleteJust got em... $44! Love what you've done with them...I wasn't quite sure how to style. :)
ReplyDeleteJust got em... $44! Love what you've done with them...I wasn't quite sure how to style. :)
ReplyDelete