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I have a soft spot for particular iconic designer shoes and the Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules have had a piece of my heart for a number of years. I’ve tried them on several times in store and consider them to be one of the most beautiful pairs of shoes I’ve ever popped on my feet. They’re minimal & sophisticated and simply breathtaking. If you’re new around here, you’ll quickly learn that I take my sweet sweet time before adding a big ticket item to my wardrobe. The hefty price tags are always a big hurdle for me to overcome – particularly when I think of all the hours spent working to earn those dollars (and when that money could be put to buying, like, 500 serves of hot chips with chicken salt).
That being said, once I have my heart set on something, I find it really hard to change course. And considering how much joy the designer pieces in my wardrobe have brought to me, I feel like you can’t go wrong with the classics. Which probably explains why I’ve popped into David Jones numerous times to try on the shoes in person over the last few years. (and curiously, they retail for over $1,200 in DJ’s whereas they’re a few hundred dollars less from online retailers… please explain?!)
If you’ve watched my latest YouTube video, I spoke about how I didn’t find the Maysale Mules to be the most comfortable to walk in during my numerous try-on experiences. And since posting that video, a few of you have reached out to share the same issues that you’ve had with the shoes – some of you guys are okay with the “clacking”, and for others, it drove you mad! Being a mules-enthusiast, it isn’t a deal breaker but it is one of the factors that I take into account.
While browsing the Net-A-Porter sale a few weeks back (with the sole purpose of checking out the Frankie Shop items on sale), I saw that there had been a restock in the Maysale Mules and decided to just buy them and try them out at home. Considering how long I’ve been toying with the idea of adding them to my wardrobe, I figured it would be a good opportunity to determine once and for all whether or not they’re for me.
At the time of writing this post, I’ve still got another week left to decide, and the current poll I’m running over on my Instagram stories is leaning towards return (!!) – so watch this space to see what I ultimately do… until then, the pondering/pro-con listing continues! Unlike the Gucci loafers that I bought a few months ago which are really getting a lot of bang for buck (I’m even contemplating a pair of the Princetown mules in a lighter shade now!), the Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules would be a shoe that I whip out for dressier occasions – so one of the key issues that I’m working through in making the keep vs return decision is whether or not to use a chunk of my clothing budget on occasional items or items that would get more wear (psst… you can watch my video on clothing budgets here).
As for my first impressions, I agree in some part with the ‘clacking’ comments that people have shared about walking in the mules. Being a mules wearer, I can walk in them, but concede that they’re not the comfiest pair of heels I own. If you love the look of the shoe and want a bit more support, the slingbacks might be a better choice, and there’s also the closed-back style. Personally I think the mules are the most beautiful style from the range! Size-wise, I went with my usual size – a size 37 – and it fits true to size.
I hope you found my first impressions of the Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules to be helpful. Thanks for stopping by.
P.S. Read my first impressions of my Gucci loafers and check out my luxury reviews here.
