Shapen Barefoot is making the best dressy barefoot shoes for women. They are zero drop, flexible, wide, and yet classy. If you’ve struggled to find elegant minimalist shoes for work or other fancy occasions, Shapen is the answer.
I have been following this small business for years, so it delights me that I can now bring them to North America at Anya’s Shop! Read on for my review of Shapen’s women’s barefoot shoes and how to order.
Meet Shapen
Shapen Barefoot is a Slovakian brand begun by Mia, a fashionista with a passion for foot health, just like myself! Since 2016 she and her husband have built a barefoot shoe brand that boasts a wide range of ballet flats, sandals, boots, oxfords, and even sneakers for both men and women.
I am reviewing Shapen Barefoot’s women’s models in this post. To learn more about their coming boot collection, read the full Shapen Fall Review here!
Shapen Sizing & Fit
Shapen’s women’s barefoot shoes come in sizes EU 35-44 and generally fits as follows:
- Wide and roomy – usually works for even extra wide feet
- True to size
- Medium to high volume
Shapen is one of the only women’s barefoot dress shoe options that works for extra wide feet! The Poppy and Tulip ballet flat models come in two widths: a regular and wide. All other models fit wide by default.
How To Order
Customers all over the world can order any of her shoes and accessories from Shapen. Currently, Mia has extended the coupon code ANYA5 to readers here for 5% off anything.
But please note that Shapen doesn’t accept returns outside the EU. That is why we carry Shapen at Anya’s Shop in the US. Shipping will be cheaper for local residents and we accept returns from anywhere. But if I don’t carry something you have your heart set on, you can always order directly from Shapen Barefoot.
Now let’s get to know these Shapen Barefoot shoes a little more.
Ivy Boot
The Shapen Ivy is a leather zip-up ankle boot with an ultra wide toe box. It is perfect for people who have trouble finding dressy shoes that are wide enough, even in barefoot brands. It has a smart, simple design and a stylish mainstream look. The sole is 5.5 mm thick and flexible enough to roll into a ball.
Fit Type: The Ivy has a square toe box shape, so works well for people with all foot shapes, even the most difficult to fit square shaped foot. They are high volume, so people with low volume feet should plan to use insoles and/or shoe tongue pads.
Note: The leather around the ankle opening is stiff at first. People with sensitive Achilles’ will want to use moleskin until the leather breaks in.
Poppy Flat
The Shapen Poppy is a truly dressy barefoot flat. Toe box detailing helps to disguise the width and an open design elongates the legs. They are some of the most fashionable women’s barefoot shoes in existence!
The Poppy is 3mm thick with a leather insole and rubber outsole. The structured design keeps it looking classy, despite being a fully barefoot shoe! Just be aware that the leather is thick and a little stiff when brand new. This helps them look classy, but for some people it rubs. It’s also available in a vegan version!
Fit Type: The Poppy runs long, and after carrying these for a few years at Anya’s Shop we recommend sizing down (most people who didn’t size down ended up exchanging).
They have a square toe box shape, so will fit a wide range of foot types. It fits medium volume feet (but is so open that it doesn’t come into play much) and comes in two widths.
Read this post if you need guidance on measuring your feet.
Shown on me in this post is the regular width. I have slightly wider than average feet (23.3cm long and 9.3cm wide from a foot tracing) and my foot fills up the whole toe box. The leather was snug at first, but has softened so I feel comfortable in them. You can see in the photo below that the Wide is just a little too much space for me. But extra wide-footed friends will want to choose wide width.
The styling possibilities are endless and they continue to be one of my most favorite fashionable barefoot shoe choices. In the last few years I’ve worn them to funerals, weddings, cocktail parties, and more.
Lily 2.0 Sandal
The Shapen lily 2.0 is a dressy peep toe barefoot sandal, meant to be an alternative to high heels. They come in one width which is extra wide. I got a size 36, Even still, I find them to be lovely sandals and would happily wear them as wedding shoes.
The pair shown above is “light beige” which is more white than not, but they also come in patent black. They have a bean shaped sole and my foot wants to sit sideways in them, so they aren’t the best fit for me. The front strap is low-medium volume and not adjustable. These would make lovely special occasion/formal/bridal shoes if you have the right foot type!
Fleur 2.0 Oxford
Another style of shoe Shapen carries is the Fleur, a barefoot Derby or Oxford shoe. This shoe is made in the same wide width as the Ivy, so it is great for extra wide, high volume feet (shown on me above, but they fit Samantha perfectly). It’s available in all black with a patent accent, or rose which is a light pink. They don’t run long the way the Poppy does, so stick with your regular size. They work fine with thin or no socks, and expect the leather to take a few wears to break in. They’re a great option for a professional work environment!
Calla Sandal
The Shapen Calla is a really lovely feminine sandal that can replace the high heels in your closet. They are softer than the flats and feel immediately comfortable without any pinching or rubbing. I love the rose gold color as a soft neutral, but they also come in black and white. Like all of Shapen’s sandals, they fit wide and roomy.
Jasmine Sandal
The Shapen Jasmine is an elevated sandal with scallop detail on the front strap for a little extra interest. They look dressy and more interesting than your basic sandal, but still are soft, wide, and comfortable.
Tulip 3.0 Ballet Flat
The Shapen Tulip 3.0 is another barefoot ballet flat style that comes in several lovely colors and can easily be dressed up for fancy occasions. Available in regular width (shown on me above) and wide (shown on Samantha below). While I needed to size up in previous versions of this flat, the latest models have a sole that lies more flat and better heel construction so my foot isn’t pushed forward. They fit is much improved and they are almost impossibly lightweight! I find them very comfortable for all-day wear.
Mai Sandal
The Shapen Mai is a fun sandal with heart detail that feels soft and flexible immediately. I have wide, shallow feet and they were wide enough but also a bit floppy around the heel and over the arch. They fit Samantha much better, who has a beefier high volume foot. I got my usual sandal size of EU 36.
Daisy Sandal
The Shapen Daisy is another extra wide sandal, with a velcro ball strap to make them even more adjustable. This sandal was unfortunately not a good fit for me at all, they were very floppy with tons of extra space around my feet.
They are best suited for really wide feet, and high volume would be best. Personally, I also don’t like the metallic material on the ball strap, I think it looks plasticky. They are also very flexible like the Mai, but I love Shapen’s other sandals a lot more.
Barefoot Dress Shoes Can Make Your Life Better!
If you want to get max foot health benefits from barefoot shoes, then you’ll wear to wear them every time you need shoes – even on fancy occasions! But even if all you want is to be comfortable, brands like Shapen Barefoot make that possible. It is a fulfillment of my dreams to be able to bring healthy footwear to more people, so make sure you are watching Anya’s Shop for lots more to come!
And don’t forget to subscribe below so you hear about new barefoot shoe reviews!
57 thoughts on “Shapen Review – The Best Barefoot Dress Shoes for Women”
I’m new to the world of barefoot shoes and I can’t wait for your updated Tulip III review, Anya! My only reference for now is a pair of Vivo chelsea boots in EU37 which I’ve worn all winter long.
My right foot (which is slightly longer than my L) is 23cm long, 9cm wide. I recently ordered EU37 reg width of the Tulip II from an Australian supplier but had to return as my R second toe pushed up against the front of the shoe (otherwise the width felt fine.)
I think my size query to Shapen got lost in translation – as they didn’t directly answer my question about any differences between the Tulip II vs III models (especially as there are no returns outside of the EU.) Their suggestion was EU 36 wide but felt that if the EU37 I had was too small, then the model might not suit me!
What size do you take in the Tulip III, Anya? (as I think I’m very similar in size to you.) Also, they suggested EU 35 wide for Poppy and Calla 37.
Being new to barefoot shoes, I feel very confused with the different sizing for across the Shapen models – but I do so love the look!
Hi Anne, indeed we have basically the same foot size! 36 wide in the Tulip III is working for me, they don’t feel nearly as short as the earlier versions did. I \ agree about the 35 wide poppy being best, but in Calla I am still a 36 and they fit with plenty of room. It is always tough finding the right size, I hope that helps!
Very helpful, thanks so much for responding, Anya 🙂
Hi Anya, I just bought poppy sandals and after wearing them once, the leather on the heel (next to the sole) already got damaged and scratched (it seems to me like the sole is not long enough). Any idea what could be the issue? The size seems to be correct. I have also fleur shoes – no problems with those.
Hi Irina, we have actually seen that exact issue from wearing them while driving since the heel rests against the floor. It could be any number of reasons like how your heel interacts with the ground while walking, or how you rest your feet when sitting.
Acabo de recibir unas Orchid de Shapen, la plantilla interior no es de piel, es de plástico, y la tira que rodea el tobillo aprieta. Con lo que cuestan, no son baratas, me sorprenden estos fallos y sobre todo, no puedo devolverlas al haberlas comprado desde España. Una decepción como marca.
Hello Marimar, to my knowledge the insole material has not changed and is indeed leather but maybe it does not feel like leather you are accustomed to. You must be very disappointed they didn’t work for you. Since you cannot return to Shapen, maybe you can find a local buyer for them.
Do you find the Daisy or Jasmine a little uncomfortable across your toes with the metallic / scalloped strap? Wondering if I should go with the Calla instead? I have very wide feet – I’m size 37 in these sandals and my feet are around 10cm wide. Thanks 🙂
I’ve never noticed anything, but I also have low volume feet so it doesn’t cut into me at all.
Hi Anya! What are Samantha’s measurements and what size does she wear? I want all the shapen as I feel they’re the closest I’ll get to fitting me but now I’m curious when people say not to get the “wide” because the wide is suuuuuper wide . My measurements are 24.5 x11 and 25×11.5 so I feel like even the wife wouldn’t be extra wide for me. I’m high volume! Do you think I need the wide in the poppy? I also like the tulip – do you think I’d fit into the wide? Thanks so much!!!!
Hello Ivana, Samantha here 🙂 I’m about 23.5×10 via the “wall method” and I wear the Poppy and Tulip in EU 37 Wide. The Petal is also a great fit for me, in 36 Wide. I would definitely not get Regular width for your measurements. The Wide width could be borderline too narrow for you, but Shapen is one of the widest dressy options for feminine shoes so they’re certainly worth a try.