There’s a specific moment on a morning commute when you realize your shoes are working against you. Not the 3pm kind of regret — the 8:15am kind, where you’re standing on a subway platform and your feet are already filing a complaint.
I’ve spent enough mornings like that to have opinions about flats. And I have to say: this handwoven pair from Margaux has earned a permanent slot in my rotation.
Why I keep coming back to this flat
Margaux is a reader-favorite brand for good reason. They make their shoes in Spain, offer a genuinely generous size range, and put a real focus on sustainability into how they’re made. That last part matters more than it used to for me. When I was buying for a department store, sustainability was a marketing line. Now that I’m buying for my own closet, it’s a filter.
Here’s what I didn’t expect: the open-weave version actually feels comfortable. My first instinct looking at it was no way — that’s a woven upper, that’s going to pinch. But the customer reviews praise the comfort, and it has a cushioned insole that makes the difference. There’s also a saddle-weave option available in other colors if the open weave isn’t your thing.
The buckle strap is the detail I’d point to if you were asking me why this works for work and not just weekend. It keeps the shoe from tipping into too-casual territory. Pair it with tailored trousers and it reads intentional. Pair it with a white tee and denim and it reads relaxed. Same shoe, both jobs.
The practical details
Price: $345. That’s a splurge-tier shoe, no pretending otherwise. But let’s do the math I wish someone had done for me earlier in my career.
It comes in seven neutral colors, so you’re not locked into one shade. Sizes run 33.5 (U.S. 3.5) to 45 (U.S. 14) in medium, narrow, and wide widths — that’s a wide net for people with narrower or wider fits, which most brands don’t even bother with.
Is it worth it?
If you’re replacing a pair of flats you’re already dreading in week one, yes. The cost-per-wear drops fast once you stop buying shoes you only wear twice. If you’re shopping for a specific occasion or your feet are very particular about structure, try before you commit — but the reviews on comfort are consistently positive.
FAQ
Is the open-weave version as comfortable as it looks? I expected it to be the uncomfortable option. It’s not. The cushioned insole does the heavy lifting, and the weave flexes rather than pinches.
What if I need a different width? Good — it comes in medium, narrow, and wide. That’s not standard across most flat brands.
Does it work with work outfits? The buckle strap keeps it from looking too casual. It holds up with tailored trousers and a blazer just fine.
A note from Lena
I used to buy the trend first and ask questions later. This shoe is the opposite — a quiet, neutral, well-made pair that doesn’t need me to announce it. It just works, morning after morning, which is exactly what a good flat should do.
If you’re building out a capsule wardrobe this season, I’d also start with my 10-Piece Edit and check out my guide to calculating cost-per-wear before you spend on anything above $100.