My first pair of Repetto flats were bought in 2006, because, well, Kate Moss wore them.
Five years later, I added Repetto’s Camille ballet flats to my collection. Since then I’ve totally worn one pair out, replaced them… and then bought more.
Founded in 1947, (that’s 70 years ago!!!) Repetto knows ballet flats.
Repetto began when Rose Repetto crafted ballet shoes (real ballet shoes, not flats) for her son Roland Petit. This led to Repetto creating flats for Brigitte Bardot in “And God Created Woman.”
Repetto continues to create ballet shoes for real ballerinas today. And of course, they still creates ballet flats for classic it-girls.
Total Parisienne. Brigitte started it, Jane followed suit, and today’s cool French girls (and Sarah Jessica Parker) continue in their footsteps.
Repetto Camille SIZING
Repetto Camilles don’t have THAT much structure to them (compared to say, Chanel’s ballet flats), but that can be a good thing…
It makes them super comfortable.
For comparison, my other shoe sizes run:
-Adidas Stan Smiths, US 8
–Chanel Shoes, FR 39
–Christian Louboutin, IT/EU 39.5
–Golden Goose, IT/EU 39
–Hermès, FR 39
–Isabel Marant, FR 39-40
-Nikes, US 8.5
My Repetto Camilles are a size FR 39.5.
In any Repetto shoe, I always take half a size up (39.5) and I always need that extra half size space.
It doesn’t matter if they’re suede, leather, or patent leather, they will not stretch enough — a little, but not a lot.
DURABILITY
These flats are durable as long as you take care of them. Don’t be a hero and wear them in the rain, it isn’t worth it. They will get destroyed.
Get them re-soled now and then… a good cobbler can totally “save” a really worn pair.
I’ve had the same pair of Repetto ballet flat loafers (a discontinued style, but they were delightful) from Paris since 2008. Inside they look grungy, but outside they look totally fine.
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… at 1cm high, check out Repetto Cendrillons!
HOW TO WEAR
You can wear your Camilles with anything. They refine knackered denim shorts and skirts…
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PROS & CONS
Pros
–Variety of Colors and Leathers: Repetto has the best selection of leathers and colors. They are also available for the Camilles. You can basically find any combination you could ever want. Patent ruby red? Oui. Black boa? Mais oui!
–Heel: This ballet flat has a 2cm heel. It isn’t a super obvious boost in height but it’s enough to elongate your legs. Because of that little leg up, it makes the Camilles the ideal shoe to wear with denim shorts. The black patent also classes them up a bit!
Cons
–Tight: At first they’ll be a little tight, but will give a bit.
-Not exactly an “explore a new city” kind of shoe unless they’re totally fine on you — my toes get tight and uncomfortable when I walk around a new city endlessly, to be honest.
TIPS
-DO NOT wear your Repettos in the rain
-Get them regularly resoled so that the bottoms won’t wear too thin and the toe won’t split (if you are in NYC, I recommend Minas on Wall st. the most — he works miracles)
-Pass a paper towel over the cushion after you wear them so you don’t get dirt build up, but that happens with every shoe. Repetto’s cushion is white though so it makes it more apparent.
-For trendy colours and leathers, consider waiting for a sale. They can happen on the seasonal colours and you can get a good price. But don’t hold your breath for black…
-Undo the bow to adjust the tightness of the shoe — it actually helps!
Repetto Camilles are not statement shoes. They’re a subtle essential.
You don’t realise what your closet has been missing until you get them and you don’t realise what you had until you’ve worn them out.
Repetto Camilles and other flats are available from a few retailers, but SSENSE has the very best selection.
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