Welcome to Retail Therapyby Muara Digital Team!This series features our editors offering insightful, genuine reviews of the latest products we’ve been testing—because we don’t want to keep these groundbreaking discoveries to ourselves. Whether you’re searching for something particular or just looking for a bit of shopping enjoyment through an impulsive buy, think of this as your exclusive shopping guide to all the items our team believes are worth purchasing.
I’ve realized that one of my most frustrating characteristics as I age is a total lack of interest and indifference towards what “young people” enjoy.TikTok? Not for me. K-Pop Demon Hunters? It’s a film, I suppose? And don’t even get me started on trying to figure out what a Labubu is for. So, when I saw a surge of stories from New York Fashion Week claiming that this fall’s “hottest shoe” is the sneakerina—a mix of a sneaker and a…ballet flatthat figures like it-girls Hailey Baldwin and Bella Hadid were already seen running errands in—my first thought was doubt. Why do young people have to blur labels for everything? Can’t asneaker just be a sneaker?
Well, I’m here to acknowledge: Occasionally, the children are correct. Having tried a pair ofVivaia Cristina Sneakerinasfor me, I was immediately shown to be incorrect. These sneakerinas are by far the most comfortable things I’ve worn outside the house in along time. They not only provide a soft, comfortable feel, but they enhanced every outfit I paired them with—and received more praise and attention than I expected. In short, this trendy style surprised my sore, aging feet and met expectations for comfort, practicality, and fashion. Continue reading for my full analysis and discover if the “hottest shoe” might be suitable for you.
$159.00
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How I tested
I wore the Vivaia Cristina Sneakerinanumerous times throughout a two-week period. I had them on for extended days that involved traveling to the office, taking several subways, walking through city streets, going on dog walks in my neighborhood, strolling through my local park, and visiting restaurants. Important to mention: The weather was fairly sunny every day I wore the sneakerinas, so my reviews do not cover how they perform in rainy, wet, or harsh weather conditions.
The fit
When it comes to the design of the sneakerina, this model combines features from both sneaker and ballet flat styles. The Cristina is available in two options—asquare toe, which features a broader toe area and rises higher on the foot to appear somewhat more like a sneaker, and around toe, which is positioned lower on the top of the foot and resembles a ballet flat more closely. I went with the more sneaker-style, square toe but selected thePeach Blush colorto embrace the ballet-inspired aesthetic.
My feet are narrow, so I’m always uncertain if an online ordered shoe will fit properly. I wear a size 9, and when I try going down a size to make up for the width, they end up being too short. Unlike athletic shoes that should be ordered half a size larger, these ones are very accurate in sizing and a size 9 fits my foot perfectly. I believe this is mainly due to how adjustable the sneakerina is. The material is a mix of soft satin and flexible suede that wraps around the foot as much or as little as needed, depending on how tightly you tie the laces. They include two sets of laces, which can be adjusted as required. I tested them with and without socks and still had to tighten the laces quite a bit, so I feel confident saying that they would also suit a much wider foot.
The front part of the shoe was very spacious, and I was pleased with how much space my toes had to move—even when wearing socks—but the shoes remained securely on my feet, probably because of the flexible back that kept my heel in place. Even though they are laced shoes, they can also function as slip-ons thanks to the elastic back, which feels more like a ballet flat. Once I tied them up, I found it easy to put them on and take them off.
The feel
I’ve mentioned this before, and I’ll say it once more: These shoes are designed for comfort. The insole features a multi-layer padding that gives the sensation of walking on clouds. As someone who used to dance, I discovered that they felt more like ballet slippers than regular ballet flats. The satin and suede upper is incredibly soft and molds to your foot, while the sole is very flexible, making it feel as though you’re wearing nothing at all when you first put them on. I truly can’t emphasize enough how light they are and how effortlessly they make me feel on my feet. They are the complete opposite of the bulky sneakers that were popular last year—and after trying both, I believe the sneakerinas are far more pleasant to wear.
Besides the ultra-soft upper, I was pleased with the plush feel of the suede leather inside the shoes on my feet. Also, the comfort remained unaffected whether I wore socks or not. I was concerned that without socks, the shoes would get sweaty and cause discomfort through rubbing or chafing, but that didn’t happen at all. Any moisture on my feet was quickly absorbed. And each step felt consistently comfortable and wrapped in softness.
What I like
These shoes had me reaching for them several times in one week because of their incredible comfort, but what truly amazed me was the amount of attention they received. I usually dismiss compliments because I don’t believe my style is especially unique or interesting, but after wearing the sneakers around the city for a few days, it helped me embrace compliments, boost my self-confidence, and take my fashion to the next level.
I’m not being dramatic. On my first day wearing them to work, I received compliments from five different colleagues (three of whom I had never spoken to before!), along with the building’s security guard and a stranger on the train. The second time I wore them, my doctor asked for the name and brand of the shoes, and before leaving, he requested a photo to send to his wife and daughters, who would “love them.” When I wore them to dinner, two different people stopped me on the street to ask where I bought them. By the third time I put them on, I was prepared for the flood of compliments, and I wasn’t let down. A high schooler on my Brooklyn block shyly said “I love your outfit” while walking my dog, and even my neighbor gave me a full-hearted compliment on my look when I got home. All of this is to say—these sneakers are comfortable, but they also made me feel beautiful, confident, and inspired me to explore my style in entirely new ways. If that can happen in just two weeks, I can’t wait to see how my confidence grows after two months of wearing them.
What I don’t
If you require a shoe with proper arch support, the sneakerinas offer plenty of comfort but don’t have strong arches, and it took me a while to get used to the barefoot sensation. I was particularly worried when wearing them on the subway and city streets, as I felt like my whole day could be ruined if I accidentally touched dirt, grime, or trash. However, despite my concerns, my sneakerinas stayed clean and provided full protection for my feet, just like a regular shoe would. That’s because despitefeeling Walking barefoot, the three-layered insole and rubber non-slip sole offer the same level of protection as heavier, larger, and less comfortable footwear.
I would say that the soft fabric is probably not strong or protective enough to wear on rainy days, and I think water would get through if I tried. However, it’s also important to mention that even though I didn’t get them wet or dirty, if I ever do, they can be washed in a machine. If that still worries you, the same pair is also available in amore athletic nylon version with a sturdier EVA foam sole.
The bottom line
There are countless sneaker options available (everyone fromLouis Vuitton to Adidashas a current version), but theVivaia Cristina Sneakerinareigns supreme for a good reason. The brand takes pride in offering a broad range of fashionable footwear that combines the style of sneakers with exceptional comfort—not only ballet flats, but also heels, loafers, and boots (whichOprah, 71, has been seen wearing it on several occasions!). I will be wearing these all season long and am finally ready to stop dismissing youthful trends before giving them a try. Who knows, maybe I’ll figure out Labubus next.
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