Payless booties, B

There was a time I avoided Payless Shoes like the plague. I couldn't shake the image of the store being filled with cheap, tacky imitations until I bought these shoes the other day. For the most part, Payless was kind of a bummer. The shoes in the boxes never look as good as they do on the posters and I could see the shoes already start to fall apart. But there were some gems that were noticeably classier (and more expensive), like these shoes for $30. They're a Fioni brand and while I wouldn't say they're worth all of $30, I'll wear these enough to justify the cost. I also got lucky because there were only 2 pairs in the entire store and one happened to be my size

Pros:

• Surprisingly comfortable and substantial sole
• Sturdy zipper
• Not overly trendy (no superfluous buckles or rhinestones like so many other Payless options)

Cons:

• Heel quality questionable; doesn't seem as durable as I'd like it to be
• Narrow toe, but that could just be me
• A little tight when putting them on, but at least this means they don't fall off

The Fioni section of the Payless website offers more refreshingly classy options, but it's always tricky finding them in stores (probably because they're one of the best options)