The top of the arch (where the tassels are) cut into the top of my feet and the ankle bone was very painful because the top of the shoe was too high.  I purchased a Dr. Scholl's foot pad to alleviate the ankle bone pain by lifting the bottom of the foot up.  This helped somewhat, but by doing so it added more pain to the top of the foot where the tassels are.  I have ordered other shoes using the same size and they were very comfortable.