Topshop Ballerinas: "will not withstand extended outdoor wear"

[Fashionology]

Just got my Topshop order... And Im quite disappointed. The shoe had a sticker on it that says: "these shoes are traditional ballet construction therefore will not withstand extended outdoor wear"
... I was like... @$%*!
I really want to wear them outdoor..
Any ideas?

 

[Street_a_Licious]

well, i doubt they're made for hiking...

 

[Feline]

Fashionology - you could try taking them to a reputable shoe repairers and ask them for suggestions to make them more suitable for outdoor wear, eg. re-soling or protective treatments.

 

[GetCloser]

Im sorry for you!
What a joke from Topshop, Id return them

 

[WonderfulTonight]

when i danced ballet i would wear my shoes (not pointe) from the studio back to my car, and they were quite durable..i think it is ok if you only wear them occasionally, i doubt topshop really uses 'traditional ballet construction'

 

[Lite_Brite]

My freshman year of high school I desperately wanted to wear ballet flats to homecoming (and for daily use thereafter). I'm not sure if this preceded the ballet flats resurgence (2003?) but for some reason I had a hard time finding any made for day-to-day wear, and bought a gorgeous cream and black lambskin pair that had dance soles. I didn't have the time/sense to get them resoled so they disintegrated so quickly. Just go to a good shoe repair place and have them put on some proper soles meant for the street.

 

[bisoubis]

In fact, I feel shoes with traditional ballet construction should be even more durable, unless they are talking about the suede or leather soles of the shoes. I've had my canvas slippers for almost a year, danced and washed them vigorously, they are still good! The mold of my feet is still there. And guess what? They are made in China, got them for less than a tenner.

Screw Topshop, return the shoes. Green owes the crown millions in taxes.

 

[FashionGirl87]

TIA- go to New Look and get a pair for £8 (called softly or something like that!) soooooo comfy and you can actually wear them out surprisingly! I've bought like 8 pairs of the things theyre that comfy! Not sure if they ship to the netherlands though...go check!

EDIT! They dooooo!

 

[Legyviel]

I don't know... I think Topshop just doesn't want you returning the flats after a month or so saying that they weren't durable. It doesn't mean that they aren't.
It's like my suede Zara bag having a sticker saying "the colour might transfer onto other clothes" but it never did.
Care to post a pic of the ballerinas? I'm curious now

 

[Lapin de Lune]

I have some of these, too.
I was really surprised when I found the little sticker. They have been pretty durable though, but I certainly don't overdo it

It should be printed on the website, definitely.

On another similar note: I recently purchased a leather satchel from Topshop. On opening it and peering inside, I located a sticker that warned of metal fastenings interfering with heart implants. Weird stuff. Something this potentially hazardous really ought to be evident prior to purchase, I guess.

 

[crepebacksatin]

well, what is the bottom like? i bought a pair of ballet flats by dolce vita or something a few years ago that just had a thick leather sole on the bottom... i think that's really common for ballet flats (especially the nice soft ones).

i just brought them in to my shoe guy and had thin rubber soles put on the bottom. they're fine to wear out now, and if they wear out before the actual shoes do you can just have them replaced....

 

[Fashionology]

Thanks Feline, GetCloser, WonderfulTonight, Lite_Brite, bisoubis, FashionGirl87, Legyviel,
Lapin de Lune, crepebacksatin for all the advise!!!
some of you requested a photo... tadaa

I dont have a photo of the sole... and my camera is broke soo .... I can describe them
they are rubber soles... and pretty thin...
I bought the flats to wear them at my work (I work in a clothing shop)

 

[leyla m.]

i have some of TOPSHOP flats with the SAME soles as the above and have worn mine out all the time... no prob so far only some of the stitching is slowly coming undone but for that reason i have bought 3 pairs of the same
love them!

 

[Fashionology]

i have some of TOPSHOP flats with the SAME soles as the above and have worn mine out all the time... no prob so far only some of the stitching is slowly coming undone but for that reason i have bought 3 pairs of the same
love them!

hola leyla m.
really?! after how many weeks, months did the stitching coming undone?
THANKS!

TIA- go to New Look and get a pair for £8 (called softly or something like that!) soooooo comfy and you can actually wear them out surprisingly! I've bought like 8 pairs of the things theyre that comfy! Not sure if they ship to the netherlands though...go check!

EDIT! They dooooo!

Oh thats great thanks love!!!!!!!!!

 

[softgrey]

yea- i bought those and then returned them...
not because of that but for other reasons...

but they are WAY inexpensive...
so i am with leyla...
just buy a couple of back up pairs if you're worried...
but i do think they will wear relatively well...
and for that price...i think it's a fair trade...

when i was in HS i used to wear ACTUAL ballet slippers all the time...
which are way more delicate...
they eventually wore out...but it took constant wearing for almost a whole school year.....after all...i was in the school for most of the day and only walked outdoors to and from the bus or car...

so i think you just have to consider how much you like them and then don't wear them for hiking...like street a licious says!...

 

[snowqueen]

tbh you know how heavy footed you are do you wear normal shoes down quickerly? If so these dont stand a change but if your good with shoes i would say give them a go and protector spray them as they are light

 

[leyla m.]

fashionology,
i have worn mine very regularly for at least 4 months and am still wearing them
tbh one bit of stitching has come undone but the sole has not moved at all so there is no hole or anything. i have another new pair but i quite like the worn in one and it is holding up well...

 

[lleux]

I walked around with my ballet shoes from dance class a few times. Terrible idea.

 

[Meg]

A lot of my flats eventually start to tear at the heel or at the front - I think it's natural, esp. in the UK where the ground is often wet and so the fabric gets slightly wet and thus is more likely to tear and wear down. Like a couple others, I bought ballet shoes because I wanted a pair before the resurgence started and I took them to a cobbler and got a clear plastic sole put on them and it didn't cost more than about 15 pounds and you couldn't tell so if you are worried about the sole, that's always an option.

 

[dajrekshn]

from my experience - top shop's ballerinas are really really durable, like one of most durable shoes i have had, so i wouldn't worry if i were you.