No one likes painful feet! I’m on a mission to show the world that you can feel better and still enjoy dressing up. Here are the newest barefoot shoe replacements to this season’s trendiest styles -but with more toe space and a natural feel. If you are someone who struggles finding cute shoes that fit and don’t cause you pain, this one is for you.
And you can check out Part 1 of this spring’s Fashion, But Make it Barefoot series for even more stylish barefoot shoes! And don’t forget that you can make use of insoles with any of these if you don’t want a barefoot sole.
Now let’s get to it. Five stylish barefoot shoes, new for spring 2024.
Origo Mary Jane
Leather | Sizes US Women’s 6-11 | Ships from US or MX
Use code ANYA for 10% off (also works on the Mexico site!)
This brand new style from Origo is a statement flat, capturing Parisian style but with plenty of toe space. The straps are not only trendy, they also help you get a tailored fit without any heel slippage! Though they do take a while to buckle and unbuckle – I can leave the front two buckled, but have to do the back two every time.
They come in black, beige, burgundy, and red. Shown here is red. Burgundy is even deeper, like Oxblood.
These have a wide fit, even for a barefoot shoe. They work both for my wide, low volume, narrow heeled feet and are nearly perfect for Samantha, who has an extra wide high volume foot. But she had to break in the patent leather and wishes for a few more millimeters of space on the big toe side (she has a bean-shaped foot). Extra wide might want to size up for more width, and straight or mountain shaped feet feet will do better than bean or slope shaped feet.
I make use of the optional insole they come and Samantha wears them without it. And the buckles make them adjustable for both our foot volumes! I also appreciate that they don’t squish the tops of my toes.
If you are familiar with the Origo Derby, these are a few millimeters wider than those. Overall, a really fun shoe that fits well! See them in action here.
Shapen Orchid
Suede | 2 Widths | Sizes EU 35-44 | Ships from US or EU
You can also shop them directly with Shapen (use code ANYA5 for 5% off), but they do not accept returns outside the EU.
These gorgeous flats bring a new level of elegance to barefoot shoes! They come in two widths, so can work for both average/slim feet and extra wide feet. I haven’t been this excited about a new barefoot shoe in a long time!! They are truly beautiful and I will wear mine both with fancy dresses and jeans.
They do run big, the same way the Shapen Poppy does, so I expect that most people will want a size down. I am wearing size 36 regular, but could wear a size 35 wide as well. Samantha is wearing a size 37 wide. The strap fits my low volume feet on the tightest setting, and Samantha has hers on the loosest setting for her high volume feet.
I recommend treating the suede with a spray before wearing them out, especially the beige color, so that they stay nice. Shoes do go on the ground after all! Dirt is inevitable.
Also new from Shapen this spring is the Petal sandal. This sandal comes in regular and wide, and is high volume. They also run on the big side and many people will want to size down, especially if you have a low volume foot like I do. The regular width shown above is a little loose for me, but much better for Samantha (though she needs the Wide width for the best fit). These are also available at Anya’s Shop in both widths!
Groundies Ruby
Leather | Sizes EU 36-43 | Ships from EU or US
Use code ANYA15 for 15% off until May 2. These will also be coming to Anya’s Shop in the US this spring! In both beige and beige with black toe cap. We expect them at the end of April.
I love an understated neutral flat. These light beige colored ballet flats are light and flexible, stay on my narrow heels well, and have a comfortably wide toe box for no pinching. I’ve always found Groundies flats to be one of the best for my narrow heels, and they are so flexible and move with my feet easily.
Sizing is true, I am wearing a size 37 and they fit me well with no need for additional heel grips. They have a removable insole, so work for a variety of foot volumes. They are good for wide feet, but not quite extra wide (I’ve got something for you later on in this article!)
Crupon Monstera
Leather | Sizes EU 35-42 | Ships from EU
Use code ANYA for 10% off
The Crupon Monstera is new this spring with a design inspired by the leaves of the Monstera plant. To me they are a wonderful fisherman sandal replacement, which have been really popular of late. Fisherman sandals in general are more comfortable than many pinchy shoes, but I still find mainstream brands to be too narrow in the toe box! Crupon’s actually are widest at the toes, where we need the most space.
This model comes in neutrals and lots of fun bright colors. I find them to be on the high volume side, so I wear mine with this insole to raise my foot inside the shoe a bit.
Crupon’s are wonderfully made with high quality leather, and I reach for mine all the time in the spring/summer season!
Read my full Crupon Sandals review here for more details on fit and sizing.
Softstar Merry Jane
Leather | Sizes US Women’s 5.5-13 | Ships from US
I frequently get asked about pretty women’s dress shoes that have an extra wide fit, and none are wider than the Softstar Merry Jane. They come in two widths – regular and wide, but they really could be called Wide and Wider!
This style was first launched in 2020, but starting April 23rd for the first time you’ll be able to customize your Merry Janes with different leather colors and strap options! You can choose from a variety of neutral, metallic, and colorful options and two new strap variations.
This is really exciting news for those of you who struggle with even barefoot shoes being too narrow, because now you can customize this extra wide dress shoe with the colors that are appropriate for your needs. Whether it’s work, a wedding, or an everyday spring shoe, the customizer option makes them so much more versatile.
The new custom strap options are also nice. I am modeling the Fine strap in regular width, Latte leather on the left and Samantha is wearing the Bold strap in wide width, Tahiti leather.
The one issue we’ve had with this shoe is that when brand new they are very low and tight over the tops of the toes. This is because Softstar doesn’t use lasts in their shoes, instead letting them form completely to your feet. But we find it’s not super comfortable to break in, so Samantha and I stuffed the toe boxes of our Merry Janes with tissue and let it sit overnight. Now they are stretched just enough to not squish the toes!
46 thoughts on “Pretty Spring Shoes But Make it Barefoot – Part 2”
What size did Samantha wear in the Origo Mary Janes? Did she have to size up? I also have extra wide feet (maybe more like extra extra extra wide), and based on their size chart, it didn’t look like they would fit in the slightest. Would low volume, fan-shaped (but with a wider midfoot), ~23.7cm long + ~10.5cm wide (book method at night after a lot of time on my feet, some days with less walking have measured only ~23.3cm long + 10.1cm wide) fit okay in these? Or would I spill over the footbed, while swimming in the vertical space? How much extra length should I try for in dress shoes? (I literally have never had dress shoes that fit correctly.)
Also, with the same measurements, once the new options come out, should I choose a Wide fit Softstar Primal Merryjane? Or would normal be enough due to low volume? Do they have a
Will you be getting more of the Poppy Shapen back in stock with the Shapen shipment? Would any size of those fit my extremely wide, pizza-shaped, shallow feet? Their size chart lists rather narrow looking numbers (for my ridiculous foot anyway) too.
Samantha has a 7.5. I shared more detailed information about how they fit in my Facebook community group. If you join, you can view that post here. It will probably help. For the Softstar flats, I would suggest going with the Wide fit. And yes, we will be getting more Poppy, in fact those should be arriving today followed shortly by the Orchid. Those could possibly work, but maybe not. Your feet are proportionally a little bit wider than Mantha’s (she’s 23.5 x 10 using the wall/book method). and the Poppy’s and Orchids fit her only just around the ball of her foot.
Hey Anya,
Thank you so much for the reviews! The Origo Mary Janes are gorgeous! What size did you and Samantha get? I’m usually a size bigger than you but my width is like Samantha’s.
Thanks,
Suzie
I got a size 7 and Samantha got a size 8! Samantha is usually one size up from me, and wider width too. Sounds like you two are foot twins!
We are, thank you!
Hi, Anya! Have you had a chance to try Shapen’s Peony? If so, does the new Shapen Orchid fit the same as the Shapen Peony? If not, what would be a size recommendation for both the Peony and for the Orchid (I fit both Be Lenka Bellissima and Vivobarefoot Jing Lace in size 39). I recently tried the suede Peony 39 regular, but it is too big and loose, especially on the sides (it essentially fits like a size 40). For reference, I have the Shapen Poppy in size 38 wide, which fits fine (although I’ve wondered if I may have been able to get a better fit in a 38 regular). The suede Peony is definitely more loose than the leather Poppy. I’d appreciate your suggestions or feedback. Thank you.
Yes, I have the Peony as well! They run big to me too, but not quite as big as the Poppy and Orchid. However, I still wear the same size in both. I just have more extra room in the Poppy and Orchid shoes. The internal length is the same in both, it’s just that when the sides are enclosed like in the Peony it holds the shoe closer to your foot so feels more snug.
I’m a guy, so I don’t really belong here, but I like to check minimalist shoe articles to get ideas because I make my own shoes.
Just wanted to say that I ALWAYS thought flats look better than any heels for women. So, if any women are hesitant to improve foot health just because of fashion, I guarantee it’ll be fine.
As a woman, I appreciate that!
Jeff,
Thank you for your comment! I’m happy to hear a guy’s thoughts about this. I may not have the latest heel or shoes trend on my feet, (and sometimes I miss it since I’m fairly new to this arena). But, I AM Really Enjoying the “I feel so much better!” that I have experienced with switching to barefoot/minimalist shoes. Lol! Glad to hear you make your own!
Wow. Thank goodness you’re here, Jeff. Otherwise how else would I, a woman, make decisions about women’s fashion without the input of some random dude in the internet………
Hello Anya
Thanks for these articles. I love the amount of information you give us. However, I am allergic to leather and want to wear barefoot, but there are no vegan options that you’ve reviewed….
Would it be possible to do a vegan barefoot review article?
Many thanks in advance.
I’ve actually written quite a few vegan articles and reviews! You can browse everything tagged as vegan here. And you can find a dedicated list of vegan barefoot shoes here.
Would love it if you could include more vegan options in your reviews! Thanks 😊
Noted! You can also browse the reviews tagged as vegan here.
Great hack for increasing the toebox height (I’ve had that exact issue with a few different pairs from different makers)–the pics are extremely helpful.
Absolutely adore the Origo Mary Janes. I’ve been looking for some multi strap ballet flats like these for years!
Sorry if you do this already and I’ve missed it, but it would be really helpful if whoever is reviewing the shoes could state their foot length and width measurements for reference. Low-high volume is definitely helpful, but ‘wide” and ‘extra wide’ doesn’t mean much when trying to determine if a shoe would be a similar fit on you as the reader. Unless there are standard width measurements that fit into these categories? My feet are 9.8cm wide and I have no idea if that’s considered wide/extra wide/extra extra wide! I really want to order some of the Origo MJs but as I’m buying from the UK, I want to feel really confident on sizing. I’m typically a size 40-41 (US9-10, I think) and can see from the size chart that they’re only just wide enough – which is surprising as you said they fit Samantha’s extra wide feet! Is the leather soft enough to allow some give?
Any clarification you can provide would be much appreciated. Thanks! 🧡
Hi Frances! It’s true that there’s no perfect way to distinguish between wide and extra wide, or even foot volume. There is no standard measurement guide to follow but we do our best to use our experience with lots of barefoot shoe brands to help people make the best decision. Your width measurement in a size 37 is a lot different than that same width in a size 41! I am extra width (23.5 length, 10cm width), so I would categorize you more in the average-wide range, not extra wide.
The Mary Janes from Origo don’t have a walled outsole (the sole sits underneath the upper portion of the shoe) and this can help the shoe be a bit flexible in width.
You seem like a good candidate for this style to me!
Hello Anya,
I really like the look of the Shapen Orchid, but I’m not sure I can wear them. Last year, I tried the Poppy in 37 wide, but it was a tad too long and my toes would sometimes slip out when walking, but 36 was too short for me. I see the Orchid has the same sizing. Does the Orchid stay more secure on the foot with the diagonal strap or will I have the same problem? Thank you for your blog, I really appreciate your reviews!
Hi Eve. The strap does help with the security, but otherwise the fit is similar. So they may still feel long/floppy.
Hi Anya, what are your feet measuments? Have my eye on Groundies Ruby and Shapen Orchid, but hesitant about the size.
My feet are 23.3cm long from a foot tracing and I have a 37 in the Groundies Ruby and a 36 regular in the Shapen. I might have said this in the article, but the 36 Shapen is even a little long for me, I almost could do a 35 wide.
So if my feet are 22.6cm long (9.5cm wide) then the size 35 would be too big still? Since it’s recommended to add 3-7mm and the Size 35 is 23.7cm long?
Is that from a foot tracing? If so then a size 35 could be pretty loose on you. But if that’s using the wall method then I think a size 35 might work. That’s about how much longer than my feet a size 36 is. They’re a little long on me, but still work. You can find a guide to foot measuring here.