updated French sole collection

my 12th and 13th French Sole

With the ridiculous exchange rate, it is actually cheaper to just purchase from the store at KLCC but if they are on sale on the website, then of course I can't pass that up. 

Henrietta Jaguar Calf Hair Size 36

Henrietta Black Metallic Spot Size 36

Both came to GBP108.33 which converted to RM679.77.

Tracking Details:
It took 12 days to get from UK to Malaysia.
Did they shipped using a boat?!

my 9th, 10th and 11th pair of French Sole

Yes... 

It is an obsession.

Yes... It is getting crazy.

And no... 

It's not going to stop any time soon.

With the Ringgit becoming weaker, it is now worth it to purchase these shoes at the local store rather than through the French Sole online store. But only when there is a 50% off sale in store.

This time I went black and grey.

2 pairs of black shoes - 

one which was already targeted upon entry into the store and the other was at a much lower price from the original.
and
1 pair of silver shoes.

Left: Annie Velvet with Flower Motive and Gold Trim.
Right: Henrietta Black Patent Croc with Black Trim

Annie under lights.
Very difficult to see the beautiful flower design since the material is velvet.
But it's gorgeous... 

Henrietta Black Patent Croc with Black trim

Henrietta Silver Patent Croc with Grey trim

Top: Annie was originally RM1150 and now down to RM480.
Bottom: Henrietta was at RM830 and now at RM415.

Henrietta was at RM840 and now at RM420.

my 7th & 8th French Sole

Ordered via frenchsole.com

It took two weeks to arrive at my doorstep.

Thrilled that the sizes are right and they are beautiful.

Henrietta 
BRONZE METALLIC CROC LEATHER WITH BROWN TRIM
frenchsole.com sale price at GBP 54.17 which translate to RM 301.20.

Henrietta
COBALT PEBBLE EFFECT NUBUCK WITH COBALT TRIM
frenchsole.com sale price at GBP 50.00 which translate to RM 278.00.

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By the way, the sales persons at the KLCC store keep on saying that "the sizing may differ due to the shoes being handmade so there's no guaranty that the sizes you try in store will fit you if you purchase online".
Hmm...
I seriously think it's a marketing ploy with possibly a tiny bit of truth.
Sure, the sizes may differ since they are not machine-made but it may only differ a little bit since I am pretty sure French Sole would have some standards that the shoemakers will follow for sizes.
They are trained shoemakers.
Come on...
You're just saying this to encourage us to buy in the store and get you commissions, right?!...

my 4th, 5th & 6th French Sole

Oh oh...

I didn't know that they were having 50% off storewide when I walked in just out of curiosity.

Dang!!

This is what happened...

3 pairs in one go!

Henrietta Raspberry Patent Croc/Same Trim
RM 780.00 - 50% = RM 390.00

Upper:
Henrietta Pink Python/ Pink Trim
RM 780.00 - 50% = RM 390.00
Lower:
Sturdy Taupe Quilt/Matching Trim
RM 730.00 - 50% = RM 365.00

How can I resist at such reasonable prices?
And having a slight obsession with them shoes, really not helping...

my 3rd French Sole

 Oh oh...

While I was in KLCC, I just wanted to drop by the shop to see what they might have on sale.

There was no intention to buy, at all. 

Oh well...

*************

RM780 - 30% = RM546

**********
The sizing for French Sole is really confusing.
I have one Henrietta at 36.5 and this one at 36.
The India I have is at 37.
So, that's three shoes at difference sizes of the same brand.
What is even worse, the same design Henrietta is at different sizes.
I suppose that's the drawback of hand-made shoes.

***********

my 2nd French Sole

Oh, oh... This is slowly turning into a slight obsession...

Not good...

See, initially I thought I'd use my first French Sole as my Raya shoes but then after looking at them for awhile, I thought "Hmm, doesn't seem festive enough... Hmm...".

So here I go again to the boutique to check out other varieties and in particular, glittering shoes to match the intention of purchasing.

I really wanted this Henrietta glitter shoes: 

But even after discount, it came to RM7++.00. 

Oh well... A bit too much for me.

So after much looking around, I went ahead with this instead:

 

The glitters on these shoes are quite substantial in real life actually. 

These pictures don't do them justice. 

But I must say, they are not as sparkling and prominent as the Henrietta that I wanted.

The original price is RM730. And so, with 30% discount, I got it for RM511.
For a fabric shoes, it's still rather pricey but what the heck! I Love It!!
:-)

Oh, and I got this at size 37. India size 36 was really tight.
The patent Henrietta I bought had half sizes so I got that at size 36.5.
So now I know I'm actually a 36.5 or 37 for French Soles shoes, and not 36 / 36.5 as I first thought.

********
Added on 5th August 2014

Man, what a disappointment.
This pair of shoes gave me such bad blisters at the back of my ankles after wearing it the whole time during Raya.
I had to use band-aids on both back ankles to cushion the rubbing and friction from the very rough gold trim.
What a disappointment.

*********
Added 15th August 2014

I applied Vaseline along the trim on the back heel.
It worked during the initial steps but the gold trim still caused blisters at the back of my ankles after walking in them within an hour. So back to band-aids. Ugh!
I really have to take this back to the store and get their advice on what to do.
So disappointing.

BTW, the Henrietta is perfect. No such blisters or discomfort.
Maybe the India cut is not for me...

my 1st French Sole

I believe we here would not have be so attuned to this brand had it not adorned the feet of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton.

Well, at least not me.

French Sole (http://www.frenchsole.com) is by Jane Winkworth of London. 

This is not to be mistaken with another of a very similar name i.e. 

French Sole (http://www.frenchsoleshoes.com) of New York, USA.

They both claim to be the "original" French Sole or ballet flats makers as can be seen on the banner on their websites:

French Sole London

French Sole New York

If you're looking at a ballet flats and can't tell who's who, the best way would be to check the insole base label. 

I'm sorry la but the label for French Sole by Jane Winkworth looks far classier and more posh but I must say that FS NY has more styles and choices.

Anyway, the sole store of French Sole by Jane Winkworth in Malaysia is in KLCC.

On my first visit to the store, there's a sale thus the purchase of my first French Sole.

Box lid

A note to all buyers on their assurance that you have purchased a high quality product.
And also to watch out for imitation.

This was at 50% off and I got it in my size! 

Meant to be, I tell you!!