Hey there shoe lover, Natasha here! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the prowl for footwear that‘s both fashionable and functional. I mean, is it too much to ask for a pair of heels that won‘t leave my feet begging for mercy after an hour? So when I kept spotting Seychelles shoes on my favorite fashion bloggers and celebrities, I knew I had to get my hands (er, feet) on a few pairs to test out.
In this tell-all review, I‘m diving deep into the world of Seychelles to uncover if they truly live up to the hype. I‘ll be dishing on the brand‘s backstory, standout features, bestselling shoe styles, and real customer experiences to help you decide if Seychelles deserves a coveted spot in your shoe collection. Trust me, I‘ve done the legwork (pun intended) so you don‘t have to!
What‘s the Deal with Seychelles?
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let‘s take a quick stroll through Seychelles‘ history. Founded back in 1984 by designer Sari Ratsula, this LA-based brand set out to create shoes that celebrate the "bold independence and individuality of women." Ratsula drew inspiration from her worldly upbringing and travels to dream up designs that fuse fashion with ease.
Fast forward almost 40 years, and Seychelles has become a go-to for trend-setters and comfort-seekers alike. With a focus on quality craftsmanship and wearability, Seychelles has carved out a unique space in the crowded footwear market. The brand has even earned praise from the likes of Vogue, InStyle, and Refinery29 for their effortlessly chic designs.
So what makes Seychelles shoes so special? Let‘s break it down:
🛍️ Styles for every occasion: From minimalist mules to statement stilettos, Seychelles really does have something for everyone. Their collection spans sandals, flats, heels, wedges, boots, and sneakers in a range of colors and finishes.
👟 Innovative comfort tech: Seychelles isn‘t just paying lip service to comfort. They‘ve actually developed their own technologies like Sey-Curve and Ortholite insoles to provide legit support and cushioning.
🌎 Socially responsible: Love a brand that gives back? Seychelles partners with various charities and uses eco-friendly materials like vegan leather and recycled fabrics in some of their shoes. We love to see it!
😎 Celebrity-approved: From Taylor Swift to Mila Kunis, countless A-listers have been spotted rocking Seychelles shoes on the red carpet and off-duty. If it‘s good enough for them, it‘s definitely piqued my interest.
Now that you‘ve got the scoop on Seychelles, let‘s get into the good stuff – the shoes themselves! I‘ll be giving you my honest take on some of their most popular styles and spilling the tea on what real customers have to say.
Putting Seychelles to the Test: Top Picks Reviewed
Over the past few months, I‘ve been secretly curating quite the collection of Seychelles shoes. For the sake of this review (and definitely not an excuse to online shop), I selected styles from all the major categories including sandals, flats, and heels. So without further ado, here are my thoughts on the standouts!
The Sandal Situation
Is there anything better than slipping into a chic, comfy sandal on a warm day? Seychelles knows what‘s up with their covetable selection of strappy styles and slides.
Seychelles Total Relaxation Sandal
Specs at a glance:
- Italian leather upper
- Rubber sole
- 0.25" heel height
- Available in half sizes from 6-11
When I tell you I‘m obsessed with these neon dreams, I‘m not exaggerating. The Total Relaxation sandals are the perfect pop of color to liven up any basic sundress or jeans and tee combo. And true to their name, they‘re unbelievably comfortable thanks to the soft leather and cushiony footbed. No break-in period, no blisters, just pure bliss.
I styled the flashy pink pair with a breezy white linen midi dress for a beach vacay and got so many compliments. The citron yellow will definitely be in heavy rotation this summer too. At $65 a pop they‘re not the cheapest sandals out there, but I firmly believe the cost per wear is unbeatable.
Customer Review: "I‘m a teacher and on my feet all day – these are a godsend! Feels like walking on a cloud and looks so cute with everything from leggings to skirts. I want them in every color!" – Jessica G.
Seychelles Low Key Slide
Specs at a glance:
- Leather upper
- Synthetic lining and sole
- 1" platform
- Whole sizes only 6-11
On the hunt for an elevated take on the sporty slide trend? Look no further than the Low Key. I‘m a sucker for the ‘90s minimalist vibes and sleek lines. The puffed leather upper molds to your foot and the lightweight EVA sole is uber flexible for all-day wear.
I grabbed the bone shade as a goes-with-everything staple to throw on for errands and Saturday brunches alike. Worth noting, these run a smidge big so when in doubt I‘d suggest sizing down unless you plan to wear them with socks. All in all, I give the Low Key a low-key 10/10.
Customer Review: "These are my holy grail slides. The quality is outstanding – they still look new after a full summer of heavy wear. I get stopped all the time by people asking where they‘re from! Highly recommend if you want something chic and unique." – Lauren M.
These Boots Are Made for Strutting
Did you even make it through fall if you didn‘t add at least one new pair of boots to your wardrobe? I think not! Seychelles has a knack for designing boots that feel at once timeless and totally of-the-moment. Trust, these will become your cold weather go-tos.
Seychelles Stand Tall Boot
Specs at a glance:
- Suede upper
- Synthetic lining
- Rubber sole
- 3" stacked heel
- Whole and half sizes 6-11
- Shaft height: 7.5"
- Leg opening circumference: 11.75"
Sleek, chic, and surprisingly comfortable – the Stand Tall boot ticks all my boxes. I‘ve been living in the camel suede pair nonstop since they arrived on my doorstep. The 3" block heel is the goldilocks height that works for the office and after-hours activities, and the pointed toe elongates your legs like no other.
I was worried the shaft might hit at an awkward spot on my 5‘4" frame, but it falls just right under the knee for an ultra flattering fit. The premium suede feels like butter and has held up beautifully in NYC‘s unpredictable weather. My only regret is not also scooping them in the divine burgundy color – Santa, are you listening?
Customer Review: "Easy 5 stars, what a knockout boot. I‘m hard to fit because I have wider calves, but the Stand Tall worked perfectly for me without any gaping. The footbed is nicely padded and the sole has good traction for snowy days. I‘ll be back for more colors!" – Jenn S.
Comfort Comparison: How Seychelles Stacks Up
If you‘re wondering how Seychelles compares to other popular shoe brands in terms of comfort and quality, I‘ve got you. As someone who has logged many a mile in all different labels, I can confidently say that Seychelles holds their own.
To give you a clear picture, I‘ve compiled a handy comparison table of Seychelles against some of their closest competitors:
| Brand | Comfort Level (1-5) | Quality | Price Range | Vegan Options? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seychelles | 4 | High | $70-$160 | Some styles |
| Sam Edelman | 3.5 | Mid-High | $60-$180 | Yes |
| Madewell | 4 | High | $60-$200 | Limited |
| Lucky Brand | 3 | Mid | $40-$130 | No |
| Soludos | 4 | Mid-High | $40-$100 | Yes |
Comfort Level Key: 1 = Can‘t make it a block, 5 = Walking on clouds
As you can see, Seychelles scores major points in the comfort department thanks to design features like their Sey-Curve technology which redistributes pressure for a "feels like nothing‘s there" fit. The quality also feels a notch above the rest, with luxe materials and thoughtful craftsmanship you can immediately recognize.
One potential downside is that Seychelles offers fewer vegan styles than some other brands. As someone always looking to reduce my carbon footprint, I would love to see even more earth-friendly materials in future collections! But if sustainability is your top concern, Soludos is a wonderful alternative with a similar coastal-cool aesthetic.
The Tea on Fit: Seychelles Sizing Tips
Nothing‘s worse than falling in love with a pair of shoes online only to try them on and realize you‘ve got a Cinderella sitch on your hands. It just ain‘t gonna work! So how do Seychelles fit – and how can you avoid any heartbreak? I‘ve got the inside scoop.
Based on my extensive research (also known as owning almost every style), I‘ve found that Seychelles shoes run mostly true to size but have a narrow fit. So if you‘re blessed in the bunion department like yours truly, opt for that wide size. Some other general tips:
- Always check the size chart and compare your foot measurements before ordering, especially if you‘re between sizes
- Read the reviews, they‘re goldmine of fit tips from fellow customers – just filter for your size for the most relevant feedback
- When in doubt, size up as Seychelles tend to run a bit short and narrow
- Expect a brief break-in period for leather and suede styles, but if they‘re painful right out of the box that‘s a red flag
For even more peace of mind, Seychelles does offer free shipping and returns on all domestic orders so you can easily exchange sizes if needed. Just make sure to save the box and tags!
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we wrap up this Seychelles deep-dive, let‘s run through some of the most common questions I see floating around. If you don‘t find what you‘re looking for here, Seychelles‘ customer service is super responsive and happy to help!
Q: Where are Seychelles shoes made?
A: While Seychelles is based in California, they partner with factories in Italy, India, and China to bring their designs to life. Don‘t worry though, they‘re very transparent about their ethical manufacturing practices and every pair is still held to their exceptional quality standards.
Q: How long does Seychelles take to ship?
A: In my experience, scary fast. I‘ve never waited longer than 3 business days to receive my order, and that‘s with standard free shipping. If you need a rush, they offer 2-day and overnight options for an added fee.
Q: Can I return sale items?
A: Yep! As long as they‘re unworn and in the original packaging, you can return sale and full-priced items within 30 days for a refund. It‘s worth noting you do have to pay for return shipping unless the shoes are defective.
Q: Does Seychelles ever have sales?
A: While it‘s not an everyday thing, Seychelles has been known to throw some epic sales around holidays like Black Friday and Labor Day. I‘ve scored some real gems for up to 50% off. It‘s also worth signing up for their email list to get alerts about secret sales and special promos.
Q: How can I make my Seychelles shoes last longer?
A: I‘m a big believer in treating your shoes like the investments they are. To keep your Seychelles in tip-top shape, I recommend using a weatherproofing spray on suede and nubuck, rotating pairs to give them a day off in between wears, and taking them to a cobbler for tune-ups like reheeling and polishing. With a little TLC, they can last for years!
Seychelles Shoes: The Final Verdict
Now for the million dollar question: are Seychelles shoes worth it? All signs point to heck yes. From their stylish designs to unbeatable comfort, these are the kicks your feet have been dreaming of. I mean, when was the last time you found heels you could actually dance all night in?
Sure, Seychelles may be a teensy bit pricier than your average department store brand. But I firmly believe in investing in pieces that tick both the form and function boxes – and Seychelles delivers on that in spades. The craftsmanship, materials, and ingenious design features make them worth every pretty penny.
I‘ve put countless Seychelles styles through their paces from commutes to concerts. Have they all been 100% perfect? No, but what brand is? The overwhelming majority have become key players in my shoe rotation that I reach for again and again.
Of course, everybody‘s feet are unique so what works for me may be different for you. That‘s the beauty of Seychelles‘ diverse collection – there truly is a shoe for every size, personal style, and occasion. And with their stellar return policy, you can shop with confidence that you‘re not stuck with any misses.
My parting advice as your resident shoe whisperer: give Seychelles a go! Start with a style that makes your heart skip a beat, wear them around the house to test the fit, and prepare for the compliments to roll in. Something tells me you won‘t look back.
Here‘s to happy, stylish feet – go forth and conquer, one fashionable step at a time!
Xx,
Natasha
