Wear: Tieks by Gavrieli

The secret to traveling well is being practical. Sounds boring, I know. But I learned this lesson on a 16-day trip to Hawaii and Australia, on which I could only take a carry-on suitcase. Now, I only ever travel with carry-on, but that particular trip was my first time trying to manage this feat. I learned that practicality sometimes has to trump style but the benefits (namely traveling light) are worth it. I hate having to leave that extra pair of cute shoes at home but if they’re not practical, they don’t get a ticket to ride.

Tieks are the most chic and comfortable ballet flats I’ve ever tried … and I’ve tried many.

So now I purposely look for travel-friendly items that don’t force me to sacrifice my sense of style. Enter: Tieks by Gavrieli. This California-based company makes the most chic and comfortable ballet flats I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried many), making them my go-to shoes when I travel. Made of fine Italian leather, they’re extremely soft and flexible. So flexible that they can fold in half and fit in your purse. Yeah? So do many other ballet flats. True. But what I love most about Tieks’ version is the soles. Accentuated with turquoise non-skid rubber patches, the soles of the shoes have a thick, padded foam cushion, providing added comfort when you walk. I find the soles of many ballet flats too thin for long walking days. The backs of the shoes are also cushioned rather than elasticized, preventing them from feeling too tight and sore by the end of the day. Easy to wear + easy to pack = I never travel without them.

Tieks ballet flats come in over 30 fantastic colours and when you order a pair, they arrive packaged in the prettiest robin’s egg blue box, secured with a lovely flower decal. They’re a real treat to open. I love my black patent ones out but it might be time to get another pair and try a more daring colour like fuchsia!