Straight from the box the shoes are beautiful and classic.  Perfect height for work.  They were very comfortable on the first day and did not disappoint when I was actively moving all throughout the day.  However, the next morning (second day) as I was reaching down to put them on I noticed on one heel that the heel guard and the metal rod within it were bent 45 degrees!  There was no way to bend this back without breaking the metal rod.  In addition, the metal rod was distorted from the bend too.  I wish I could have exchanged them, but then I would be walking with fear my next pair would be defective and the heel would break after only one day too.  They had to go back.  I have worn down cheap &#34;these will work&#34; shoes down to the metal rod itself without it bending/breaking, so I am so disappointed that my Cole Haans would do this.  Still, so beautiful and comfortable.