Vivaia Cristina Shoe

Everything you need to know about the trend. 🩰

I was skeptical. A lace-up satin sneaker-flat hybrid? It sounded like something that would either change my life or get returned immediately. Whelp: I wore them on a date two days after they arrived, and they’ve basically been in rotation ever since.From the moment I slipped them on, the Sneakerinas felt…different. The memory foam insole is thick—like, yoga-mat thick—and I immediately felt a pillowy bounce under my heel. They are flats, however, so it’s not like they’re marshmallowy to the point of feeling unstable—you can still feel the ground beneath your feet more than an ultra-supportive sneaker. But considering they pass for real-deal ballet flats, the support is more than adequate for a night out. I first tested them on a brewery-hop date, where we decided (boldly, foolishly?) to walk both ways across the city. Not once did I regret my footwear choice, even after four hours, three IPAs and one “should we get a late-night snack?” detour. My feet stayed dry, blister-free, and—maybe most importantly—still cute. In fact, even after getting caught in a downpour on the walk home, the shoes recovered without much help and looked spick and span come morning. I should mention, they are machine washable, which seems insane. But it’s true—and probably a blessing if I keep wearing them into the sweaty hot nights of summer. I love that the style is super girly with a big ass satin bow. But, balance is the name of the game and the square toe adds structure and some “masculinity” to a very feminine shoe.Are they perfect? Almost. They’re still ballet flats. They’re not orthopedic horse hooves—of which I have plenty. I wouldn’t wear them touring New York City by foot all day. But I would wear them to an evening out. Bottom line: If you’ve all but broken up with heels but still want to look like you tried, these are the best summer date-night shoes I’ve found—flattering, functional, and with just enough flair to make people ask where you got them.Fast FactsStandout Detail: Ribbon lace-up and square toe designMaterial: Eco-friendly satin and rubber soleSizes: US 5–11Colors: 5 options (I have the Black)Return Policy: 30 daysBuy Them ($129)