It's a painful pill to swallow when I realize that those very expensive leather shoes are never going to fit right, no matter how much I try breaking them in.
By offering half sizes and three width options, Margaux has become one of our team's go-to sources for comfortable women's dress shoes. There's just one major caveat: the inconsistent size system. For instance, I wear my Demi ballet flats just about everywhere, but I've also been disappointed by some heeled boots that pinch my toes when I walk.
The timeless designs, beautiful luxury-grade leather, and Spanish craftsmanship are all enticing, but I only consider Margaux shoes worth it if you can nail the fit.
How do Margaux shoes fit?
I wear a size US 8, and my feet are a regular width. After four years and an exasperating amount of returns, I've cracked the code: Most styles run narrow, and because I have longer toes, I require a half size up (an EU 38.5) to avoid overcrowding.
If your feet are even slightly wide and you have toes proportionate to the length of your foot, choose your usual size, but go up to a wide fit. Only order a narrow fit if you have very slim or low-volume feet. Below are our notes on each pair we tested so you can compare them with your own fit issues.
The Demi
Key details: Adjustable bow tie, almond toe
Sizes: US 3.5-13 (EU 33.5-44) in narrow, medium, or wide
Our fit tip: They run slightly small in length. If your feet are even slightly wide, choose the wide fit.
The Demis are my gold standard for ballet flats. The medium-shine Nappa leather is loosely structured so the more I wear them, the more glove-like they feel. Despite their soft shape, the low vamp creates a feminine, elongating effect as seen with Repettos or Ballerettes.
"It has a rounded toe, functional bow that tightens for a custom fit, and soft leather that molds to your feet. It's perfect in every way, save for the slight blister it gave me on my heel the first day I broke them in (and no days after that). There's just enough cushioning for me to feel supported when commuting, but not so much that the shoe loses its unstructured, simple aesthetic," says executive editor Sally Kaplan.
The Demis run a half size small. I ordered my usual size 8 in a regular width. The width was fine, but the shallow, softly pointed toe box made my toes feel crowded. I have longer second toes, so I had to size up by half for them to have enough room to splay.
Despite the difficulty I had with sizing, these are my most-worn ballet flats (and I've tried 33 pairs this year alone). I tell anyone curious about Margaux shoes to start with the Demis because they're easy to style and only get more comfortable with time. Read more in our full Margaux Demi flats review.
The Ada
Key details: Adjustable bow tie, square toe, 1-inch block heel
Sizes: US 3.5-13 (EU 33.5-44), in narrow, medium, or wide
Our fit tip: The Adas run slightly small and narrow.
In our guide to the most comfortable heels, senior style editor Samantha Crozier chose this pair as her favorite ballet pumps. The block heel is a walkable height, and just like the Demis, you can adjust the tightness of the vamp with its functional bow ties.
"I got the Adas in the color Espresso Crinkle Patent, which is a shiny brown color that feels like the epitome of fall," writes Samantha. "The leather is supple and molds to your feet for a glove-like fit. Plus, the insole has a memory foam-like padding that cradles your foot."
"But sizing is a little tricky to get right. I've always characterized my feet as being on the wider end of typical, but I very rarely find myself having to opt for a wide fit shoe," she continues. "In almost all situations, a regular width works just fine. But with Margaux shoes, I've learned to always go for the wide."
The Demi Jane
Key details: Adjustable instep strap, almond toe
Sizes: US 3-14 (EU 33.5-45) in narrow, medium, or wide
Our fit tip: This pair runs long, but has a short toe box. If you have long toes, skip this style. If you toes that are short in proportion to your feet, you should go down half a size.
"After wearing the Demi Jane flats for a few weeks, I can confidently say they're my new favorite ballet flats. I'm traditionally a loafer fan, opting for that flat style over many others on a daily basis. However, I find myself reaching for the Demi Janes even more," writes our former beauty editor Maiya Pascouche.
"The soft Nappa leather molded to my feet instantly and never gave me blisters. They're also just adorable; I love how they look with my more tailored looks and casual, everyday outfits. My only fit note is that the toe box is a little short, so if you have longer toes, they may not be for you."
The Downtown Boot
Key details: Plush foam padding insole, slightly elongated shaft compared to traditional ankle boots, 2.5-inch stacked heel, available in leather or suede
Sizes: US 3.5-13 (EU 33.5-44), in narrow, medium, or wide
Our fit tip: If you want wiggle room for your toes and space for socks, opt for your usual size in the wide fit. If you have narrow feet, opt for the regular medium width.
The level of detail I'm about to provide might seem like TMI, but if you're going to spend almost $500 on a pair of boots, I want you to have as much information as you can get.
Pointy-toe boots are really hard to get right, but Margaux has cracked the code on what is often a tricky design. The Downtown Boot has a comfortably peaked silhouette that doesn't come to a painfully harsh point, making it a true winner for anyone who has no patience for squished toe boxes.
First, the color and material combinations are incredibly elegant (black leather or suede, dark brown leather or suede), though I'm partial to the dark brown suede because my wardrobe tends to lean a bit more casual. You can see in the pictures above, taken after 2 years of seasonal ware, that the leather or suede will ripple slightly over time — but that's actually very typical for high-quality boots. It's usually the crappy pleather or manmade boots that keep a more rigid structure over time and show only slight creasing (until the material inevitably starts to peel).
The trick for me was ordering my usual size 8 in a wide fit, even though my feet aren't particularly wide. I tend to be comfortable in most regular width shoes, but I find that Margaux's regular width runs a tiny bit narrower than usual, so I always order wide sizes. This way, my toes still have enough wiggle room, even with thicker socks. If your feet are on the border of regular vs. wide, or even narrow vs. regular, I highly recommend opting for the larger width.
The heel height is also a reasonable 2.5 inches, just high enough to be easily dressed up, but not so high that they look silly when dressed down. And because the shaft height is nice and elongated (just a bit higher than a typical ankle boot) you can wear them with long sweater dresses or cropped jeans and not show any skin.
Also worth noting is the small layer of plush padding in the sole — I can walk in these for long periods without the shock of stomping on concrete reverberating through my foot every step.
The Platform Sandal
Key details: 1-inch platform, 3.5 inch block heel, X-shaped toe strap
Sizes: US 3-14 (EU 33-45) in narrow, medium or wide
Our fit tip: These run slightly narrow, but the ankle strap runs wide. You can use a leather hole puncher to add extra holes for the buckle.
Even though 3.5 inches is a solid height for a heel, the 1-inch platform on these Platform Sandals make it so you're not teetering on stilts.
"There are lots of features that contribute to the comfort of this fabulous heel. First, it has five millimeters of cushioned padding on the sole that makes it feel like you're putting on a slipper. Plus, the toe straps form Margaux 's signature "X" which adds stability that you wouldn't get from a narrow, single strap," writes senior style editor Samantha Crozier.
"I felt incredibly stable walking around in these, in part because of the block heel and thick adjustable ankle strap," adds freelance style contributor Rebecca Strong in our guide to the best bridal shoes. "Due to the open-toe style, I'd say these are a great pick for spring and summer weddings. These also get points for versatility: They're a perfect shoe for vacation dinners, date nights, and cocktail parties alike."
The City Sandal
Key details: 2.5-inch block heel, X-shaped toe strap
Sizes: US 3-14 (EU 33-45) in narrow, medium or wide
Our fit tip: As with most Margaux shoes, we recommend sizing up in width.
The City Sandal is the shorter version of the Platform Sandal, so it's another great heel for brides and bridesmaids. You can personalize them to have a crystal buckle, monogram, or choose from three different shades of lining (hello, something blue).
Our former editor Jada Wong wore this pair right out of the box on her wedding day. She reports they didn't hurt even after she was on her feet for 10 hours straight.
"The City Sandal has a chunky heel that balances out the 2.5-inch heel height, which isn't considered super-high, but still isn't walkable for me either. It also has thick straps that wrap around the almond-shaped toe box so my toes aren't sliding out of the front, and an ankle strap that provides more support. The newer version of the City Sandal has the same features, only with slightly thinner straps. The leather is super soft, and the insole is padded for comfort. Overall, these shoes are elegant, classic, and well-designed."
Read more in our full Margaux City Sandal review.
Retired Margaux shoes we've tried
The Bleecker Boot
These knee-high boots from the fall 2022 collection are not comfortable to walk in, but I still wear them on occasion. The slightly slouchy shaft and snakeskin pattern are just too good to let go of. My problem is that their steep heel pitch forces my toes forward so they crowd the narrow, almond-shaped toe box. They also lack meaningful padding in the forefoot, which causes my metatarsals too ache. I only put them on if I know I won't be standing for long.
The Mary Jane
When metallics were at their peak in 2023, I tried these mirror-shine Mary Janes. However, they are so uncomfortable I've hardly touched them since. The pointed shape pinches my toes while the leather vamp and strap is so stiff that they cut up the top of my feet each time I try breaking them in.
The Agnes Western Boot
"The cushion and arch support makes them so walkable; they were the only shoes I brought for a 10-day Europe trip and my feet survived so many 14-hour walking days in the cold and the rain. I love the little bit of western flair and the stretch panel on the side that keeps them from digging into your calf.
"Besides tricky sizing, the only frustration I had with these boots was that the finish on the sole had some peeling, but that hasn't taken away from how much I love wearing them when chilly weather rolls around," writes executive editor Sally Kaplan.
The Andie Loafer
These are some of best Margaux penny loafers I've tried, though for about the same price, I prefer M.Gemi's Sacca Donna loafers. I walked miles wearing the Andies and they have a cushioned layer of padding similar to the Demi flats. Margaux's newest loafers are less structured than they were in fall 2023, and instead reflect the fall 2026 scrunch loafer trend.
FAQs on Margaux shoes
Do Margaux shoes run small?
Most Margaux shoes run about a half size small compared to US sizes, which is typical for European-made shoes.
In terms of width, Margaux shoes run narrow. The narrow fit is only for very slim or low-volume feet. If your feet are even slightly wide, choose the wide fit.
Are Margaux shoes worth it?
Margaux shoes are an investment, as they can cost anywhere from $245 to $655. That's why nailing the fit is so crucial. If you wind up with a size that doesn't feel good, your cost-per-wear won't lower enough to justify the high price tag.
That said, I've never found a single sign of faulty construction in Margaux shoes. From the hardware details to the luxury-grade Nappa leather, my Margaux boots have aged gracefully in the four years I've worn them.
Are Margaux shoes comfortable?
The most common comfort feature in Margaux shoes is a 5mm layer of foam padding. It's enough that I can commute in my Demi flats and my feet feel fine. However, you won't find any arch support or cushioned insoles at Margaux.
As with most leather shoes, I experienced friction at the heel when breaking them in. I have to carry Band-Aids on my first few wears. But once the Nappa leather is has softened and molded to my foot, they're very comfortable and lightweight.
What is Margaux's return policy?
At check out, you can opt for a $3.98 return protection policy. I recommend doing this because Margaux's sizing is so inconsistent. If you skip this option and end up needing to return your shoes, you'll pay an $11 shipping fee that's deducted from your refund.
You can return Margaux shoes for a refund within 14 days of delivery, or receive store credit or exchange within 30 days of delivery.
If you bought your Margaux shoes at Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's, you must adhere to the return policy of wherever the order was originally placed.
Can I wear Margaux shoes if I have bunions?
It depends on which style, but since they mostly run narrow, I would advise against it. Definitely avoid any pointed-toe designs, which can cause your toes to jut inwards at the joint where bunions are most tender. Opt for the widest sizes made with unstructured leather. I found the bunion-friendly dress shoes at Calla work better on sensitive feet.
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