The main part of the shoe is glove leather, which is very pliable and poses no problem as far as comfort is concerned.  However, the dark leather strapping around the shoe is much, MUCH stiffer and VERY narrowing and makes the shoe wearing experience less than optimal.  I had to wear them for an event on Sunday and I'm still nursing blisters almost four days later. My toddler points to the shoes and says, &#34;Boo boo!&#34; because she knows how uncomfortable I was in them. I'm sure I could get them stretched at a proper cobbler shop, but it would be nicer if I didn't have to put in the extra time, effort, and money.  It's a beautiful shoe though.