Julia Roberts' hideous (or genius?) ballet sneakers are on sale
Kate Tully EllsworthEver heard of a sneakerina? Think the support of sneakers combined with the appearance of ballet slippers. Sound hideous? Well... I'd say that's dealer's choice. Some people (like Julia Roberts) love them, but others can't quite get behind the unique design. If you're intrigued, it's a great time to try them out yourself — during Prime Day, the pair Roberts wore are are 20% off.
Roberts was spotted wearing the Vivaia Yanka Flats while promoting her film "After the Hunt" in Venice. She's not the only celeb who's been spotted in them, either. Charli XCX, Bella Hadid, Katie Holmes, and even Oprah have sported these trendy shoes over the past several years.
Do you need a pair? Are they cute in person? Here's what to know.
Julia Roberts wore Vivaia flats in Italy
Roberts was spotted rocking her Vivaia sneakerinas at the airport, then while commuting to press junkets around Italy last summer. She paired the flats with a custom-made scarf featuring "After the Hunt" director Luca Guadagnino and a simple black dress.
She sparked conversation as soon as she was spotted in these controversial shoes. They fit like flats, but feature satin laces like conventional sneakers. Unlike other high-end Hollywood fashion, however, they're pretty affordable, even when not on sale. They retail for $159, but they're 20% off during Prime Day ($127.20).
Other celebs (and reviewers) are obsessed too
Roberts isn't alone in her love of Vivaia. These sneakerinas receive widespread acclaim from shoppers at both Amazon and Vivaia's site.
"Elegant, comfortable and truly office-perfect!" one reviewer wrote. "These are classy, feminine, and effortlessly chic. Truly a ‘chef’s kiss’ kind of shoe. I will absolutely be purchasing more from this brand!"
"Best shoes I've ever purchased!" another shopper wrote. "dont normally spend so much money on shoes but when I saw these and how popular they are I gave in. They are the most comfortable shoes I've ever bought! I even have a little wider foot and they fit so perfectly. I really appreciate the in between sizes they offer."
Bella Hadid has been spotted in the all-white Yancy Vivaia shoes, while Katie Holmes is a fan of the Margo 3.0.
If you're wondering whether I've ever bought a pair of Vivaia shoes myself, the answer is absolutely. I fell victim to a well-placed targeted ad on my Instagram, which featured bright orange, cat-laden loafers that spoke to me. I bought them in the fall and rarely took them off. They were every bit as cozy, cute, and eye-catching as I imagined they'd be.
Vivaia shoes rarely go on sale
I've been covering Vivaia for the past few years, as soon as it started popping off among chic celebrities. The brand has a wide range of affordable and mid-priced shoes, but they rarely go on sale, especially at Amazon.
It's a great time to try them out, especially if you've been curious about whether they'd look good in your wardrobe. And these aren't the only Vivaia shoes marked down right now: you can shop all manner of styles during the Prime Day event.
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