Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

These are seriously cute shoes--just right for Spring and Summer. That said, I have to acknowledge that they're pretty pricey for what comes in the carton. (They come in a milk-carton style shoebox, which is also very cute.) Without being judgey, it seems like what you're paying for when you buy these is the cute, chic fabric designs. And really, that's it. Because these shoes have no leather uppers, super-cushiony linings, or molded, impact-reducing heel cups; no waterproof this, suede that, or ergonomic the other thing. They're flat Mary Janes with a roomy, squarish toe box, a silvertone buckle, and silky fabric uppers stitched to a thin rubber sole. And, of course, they're completely adorable. When I got my first pair, it took me a couple days before I realized that they're freakishly similar to the embroidered silk Mary Jane flats I used to buy at a Chinese import store near my workplace when I was in college. They were just like these except that the toebox was round. They came in silk or cotton, and they cost about $10. The silk was really gorgeous for the price--perfect for a poor college student--and the embroidery made them look like a million bucks. But sadly, like all cheap things, they never lasted very long. If it rained, the silk showed every drop, and the color bled if your feet got sweaty. And now, whenever I look at my feet, I am reminded that my super-cute Hot Chocolate shoes are so very, very like those cheap, Chinese import store shoes in almost every respect but price. Pros/Cons: The soles are very thin, but flexible. The footbeds have -0- arch support, but since they are roomy and the strap is adjustable, I wear arch support insoles with them and that makes a huge difference in comfort. If you use orthotics with a highly cushioned heel cup that raises your heel up too much, you might have issues with the way these shoes rub your Achilles tendon. The prints and patterns are, of course, super cute, to which there is no down side. The toe box is very roomy, the stitching seems tight, and they seem to hold up well in a purely mechanical sense. Aesthetically, however, you need to baby these shoes a bit to keep them looking good--especially the paler designs. (They really seem to show dirt/scuffs, and the silky fabric doesn't wipe clean as easily as leather or fake leathers do.) So, with all that considered, why did I give them 5 stars? Because they're just that freakin' cute. Bottom line, I guess, is that if you go in knowing what you're getting for your money, you'll probably give these shoes 5 stars, too.