When I first got to know Birdies – a shoe brand that prides itself on seven layers of foam, quilted padding for styles that look more like slippers than regular shoes – I knew I had to give them a whirlwind. After all, if Meghan Markle loves these (exactly!) these apartments, there must be something special about them. As someone with sensitive feet, prone to heel pain, blistered ankles and little toes, and severe arch and ankle pain after just a few hours of wearing high heels (if so), I hope that these simple yet stylish shoes, sold in 16 colors (including plush and calfskin options), would be what made the soles of my feet so much needed. And, it turns out, they were.
I bought my first pair of Starling flats ($80)—in a discontinued velvet wine color—in 2020, but that wasn’t until I took them on a fall foliage tour in the Northeast with two my girlfriend in 2021, I just realized how game-changing they are. With little extra luggage space, I wanted to go with the slimmest shoe styles possible, so I stuffed my Starlings in for the ride. What I didn’t realize was that we were going on a mile-long excursion on the Boston Freedom Trail—something I usually wear in sneakers. While the velvet loafers might not seem like the best choice for such an adventure, they turned out to be a great treat for my feet, with no pain or swelling. blister.
Needless to say, since that experience, I’ve been keeping an eye on Birdies to see what other styles they’ve come up with. When they released The Roadrunner ($140)—a casual sneaker that looks great with jeans—I added not one but two pairs to my wardrobe. And now, just in time for the holidays, the brand has launched what I call the perfect holiday apartment.
But related story
Enter: Crystal Velvet Starling ($73). Available in black, royal blue and maroon, these flats feature the brand’s signature seven layers of cushioning, a non-slip rubber sole and a 10mm heel, plus over two dozen crystal embellishments. glitter on every shoe. In that way, they’re like a Cinderella slipper – only if it really feels like an incredibly warm slipper instead of rigid glass.
Suffice to say, if you, like me, have long since abandoned strutting days and nights in heels in favor of more comfortable styles, but are hoping for something more elegant than shoes chunky heels or loafers this holiday season, the Birdies Starling Velvet Crystal Apartment is the perfect choice.
Want to be the first to know about the latest SHOP product sales, custom collections, discounts, etc.? Sign up to have information delivered straight to your inbox.
Our editors independently select these products. Purchases through our links can earn Good+Good commissions.
