Review: M. Gemi Bolla Flats – A Year Or So Later
I must admit, I initially did not think highly of these M. Gemi Bolla flats when I first got them because they did not feel as comfortable (read: soft and squishy) as the now discontinued Banana Republic Ashley Flat (WHY!??!?), but I have since come around.
My BR Ashley Flats have bitten the dust after 2 years of major wear and tear. I am talking playground playing, walks all around the city, and MAJOR WEAR constantly, almost daily.
Since then, I have switched over to my , and I am pleasantly surprised to discover that I may actually prefer them.
THE QUALITY IS HIGHER
I am now noticing that the leather in are a higher quality.
They’re a hardwearing leather, and not a soft, too-thin, one.
Yes, it is thinner, and not as padded or squishy as the Ashley flats, but the leather is properly, and solidly stitched around the edges, and the soles is well made and not likely to fall apart like the Ashley flats above on the sides with the elastic ribbon breaking off.
The elastic ribbon is sewn inside the shoe, and will wear better.
THE FIT IS BETTER
They don’t flip and flop off my feet, because the vamp is higher in front. I can tell that they’re going to last longer, and age more gracefully because they fit better and won’t get trampled under my foot when I am walking and it falls off.
They recommended to go UP a half size and they’re right.
I’m a true US 7 and I took the US 7.5 and it fits perfectly without feeling too tight or flopping off, and what is good about that is if it were too tight (in the US 7), the leather is really too stiff / hardwearing to really mould to your feet without major blistering the way the Ashley flats did to mine.
I never had blisters with the Ashley flats, but they moulded well to my feet over time.
For the record: I have never had any blisters with these flats because the inner leather lining has no seams and nothing to rub against.
THE SOLE IS FLATTER
I used to hate the idea that these flats would have such a flat, hard sole, but it is actually better on my back than super soft soles, so a bit like with Birkenstocks, I find them extremely comfortable.
THE ONLY DOWNSIDE? THE PRICE
Yep. The price kills me ($198 USD), but I think I’d be safely willing to spend the money again.
I’ll write another post in a year or so to let you know how they fared with 100% usage, daily wear and use as they are now my primary flats to wear.
10 Comments
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Rachel
Hi! I read this and followed your link to find that all of the M. Gemi shoes on your link (all colors) are 1/2 off right now! Score!
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J.Joy
Sherry, I hope you see this. I fell in LOVE with m.gemi after seeing their Tuta and Bolla flats way back on your blog. I called (I live in Toronto, btw) and asked about delivery but they did not do international at that time. How did you manage to get your hands on them back then? Please share! I’m dying to own a pair, and of course, I’ll refer you for introducing me to their amazing shoes!!
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sherry@savespendsplurge.com
Hello.. 🙂
I have friends who live in the U.S. who reship items to me. You can certainly use other services however, like My US Address, or if you just google: “Ship to Canada from U.S.”, you’ll get a whole bunch of companies who do mail forwarding.
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Jenna
Have you tried Tieks yet? They’re my go-to flats and come in million colours. And since my feet a horrid, they’re the only flats I can wear out of the box immediately without any chaffing.
Did I mention they fold perfectly for travel?
Pricey but definitely worth it, in my view.-
sherry@savespendsplurge.com
I thought about Tieks but that teal sole really, REALLY turns me off.
I like understated flats without strange colours, even Louboutins with a red sole make me a little annoyed.
I recently found some thrifted Philip Bloch flats and they seem to do the trick.
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Anne
Thank you for this post, exactly what I was hoping for! Looking forward to the next post on these flats next year 🙂
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Sina
Hi,
I want to buy a pair of sneakers from M. Gemi, could you please refer me to M. Gemi? Thanks.