When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreGabrielle Chase/Business InsiderVivaia entered the scene in 2020 with an aim to deliver affordable women's dress shoes that blend polish with comfort. In a short span of six years, it's done just that. The brand's heels, ballet flats, and sandals have all won praise from our team of style editors, and I've seen its viral sneakerinas from my commute to street style photos of Charli XCX. Our main takeaway: Vivaia's excels in supportive dress shoes that stretch to fit wide feet. Skip the casual sneakers and opt for slingbacks and other heeled styles, which are harder to come by in such walkable formats. Vivaia shoes are painless to break in, but it can still be a real pain when you have to return shoes that don't fit. Here's what we learned about Vivaia's sizing, plus which pairs are best equipped for long walks versus special occasions. For more of our rigorously tested footwear coverage, see our guides on the best flats, most comfortable heels, and best loafers for women. Learn how the Reviews team tests shoes at BI.Sizing and fitMy issue with Vivaia's sizing is that it widely varies depending on tthe style. In my experience, most tend to run a tad large. The inconsistency is further confusing because when you select your size on their website, you can choose UK, US, or European sizes, but the sizes are inscribed on the sole as European sizes.On the bright side, Vivaia has some of the best flats for wide feet. They have roomy toe boxes and offer generous stretch, meaning they're also great if you plan to style them with thick socks. But if your feet are on the narrower side like mine, you'll want to size down — or else you may want to consider Rothy's instead. Below are more detailed tips on sizing for each pair of Vivaia shoes we've tried.The top 5 Vivaia shoes we tested:Margot 3.0 Square-Toe Ballet FlatGabrielle Chase/Business InsiderI tested the Margot 3.0 flats against the older Margot Mary Janes, and the redesign has a few new features that are made to help these soft-sided shoes last longer. First, the activated carbon means the quilted footbeds are better at repelling odor — which tends to linger in knit flats like these.Secondly, the redesigned outsole is made of less rubber and more lightweight EVA foam, meaning they have better shock absorption throughout long walks on concrete. The fit has stayed the same, with a very roomy square toe box and a stretchy collar that can accommodate wide and high volume feet. If you feel like most ballet flats are too constricting for your foot shape, the Margots will let them breathe.Inside, they almost feel like slippers. The foam footbed is a bit firmer under the arches, yet the quilted forefoot is soft and plush against your skin. I wear this pair whenever I get blisters from breaking in leather flats, because the heel cushion is gentle and non-abrasive.Margot Square-Toe Mary JaneBetween Vivaia's Margot Mary Janes (left) and Rothy's Square-Toe Mary Janes (right), I wholly prefer Vivaia.Gabrielle Chase/BusinessWhen putting on my Vivaia Mary Janes, I directly compared them to the Mary Janes I tested for our Rothy's review. Both are machine washable and breathable, but I immediately preferred the look of Vivaia's more — the adjustable buckle on the strap shows more of an intention with the design than the straps on Rothy's, which don't have buckles and are more like strips of fabric.Not only are Vivaia's Mary Janes less expensive than Rothy's, but they also beat them in terms of comfort. The insoles are padded around the heel and forefoot with a yoga-mat-like material, while Rothy's are flat on the inside. The arch support and slightly more structured heel feel notably different when walking on pavement. The square toe box is roomier than Rothy's Square Mary Janes ($159), so they're better suited for people with wide feet in this aspect, too.I'll give Rothy's points for better color variety and a sleeker silhouette, but Vivaia's Mary Janes are still easier to walk in (and less expensive).Kiara AdaptAll Sport SandalsRebecca Strong/Business InsiderI own a pair of boots by Vivaia and they're easily one of the comfiest pairs I've ever slipped on my feet — so, needless to say, I had high expectations for these sandals. Fortunately, they didn't disappoint.My first few steps in the Vivaia Sport Sandals felt like walking on a cloud. That's likely due to the cushioned insole and dual arch support.I feel secure wearing these. Thanks to the durable, anti-slip outsole, these sandals feel ultra-stable on my feet, regardless of the ground I'm walking on.They're super adjustable. What I really appreciate about these sandals most is that the criss-cross straps across the foot are extra stretchy. That means whether you have narrow or wide feet, these will git like a glove. Not only that, but the ankle strap has an adjustable buckle.Plus, the style I have — the
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