Vince Camuto Women's Sandal, 5.5

I tracked these down because I had them in 3 colors 3-4 years ago and, until they started to wear out, they were easily one of the most flattering, versatile and comfortable sandal styles I'd ever worn. The scale of the straps is simple/comfortable, yet somehow sexy -- I've had strangers compliment them. The heel height is perfect to flatter the leg line but be comfortable -- in the past, I'd gone all day on my feet (teaching, at conferences, on vacation...) and even run in them and been comfortable. However... when I ordered them this year (in black and in the pale grey that is actually slightly seafoam), having worn each of them one day, I haven't been able to get through a day in them. 1) Vince Camutos usually run a half-size small. I ordered my usual VC size 7, which fits, but the arch span feels slightly longer (so my foot falls more) than on other VCs 2) the strap across the toes on earlier versions was a flat piece of (I believe synthetic) leather, but this year it is a folded/seamed piece of leather. While every pair of Vince Camutos I've ever worn has broken in to be extremely comfortable, SO FAR, I'm wearing Mickey Mouse bandaids to pad the top of my big toe wear the hardness of the strap wears, and even so had to take them off to get through the last hour of the day. If they break in better so that they are not uncomfortable, I'll come back and update the review. One last complaint: these are way overpriced. When I bought them in the past, I paid $35, $50 and $65 for them. The $95 that vendors are currently charging is way overpriced, especially considering the fit is worse than in the past and the fact that espadrille shoes tend to wear out faster. If I were not so desperate to replace shoes this month, I never would have paid it. The price needs to be lower.