Affordable Luxury Clothing, or Fast Fashion Rebranded?

Quince Italian Leather Glove Ballet Flat

Everlane’s Day Glove Flats currently hold the top spot in our guide to the best flats, and are a long-standing favorite of executive editor Sally Kaplan. In our Everlane Day Glove flats review, she says, “there exists on this earth no better flat.” However, the Quince Italian Leather Glove Ballet Flats may be a substitute.

Along with several other of Quince’s dupes, these Day Glove-lookalikes sold out almost as soon as they became available. Upon first inspection, they are practically indistinguishable from Everlane’s. They even have the same pull-tabs and perforations around the inner arches to help ventilate the shoe — which is good, because the leather can and will get sweaty inside. The leather has some give, but if you have extra wide feet, I’d skip these. It’s also worth noting that Quince doesn’t offer them in narrow or half sizes, but Everlane does. I wear a size 8 and these have a nearly true-to-size fit that lean a tad tight, especially around the top seam.

I found Quince’s Glove flats to likewise have zero break-in time — as soon as I slipped them on, they felt like wearing soft leather slippers. I like how much traction their rubber soles have compared to other flats I’ve tried, and their Ortholite insoles provide cushioning below the arches. 

The material is 100% Italian cow Nappa leather and made in Shenzhen, China, while Everlane claims their Day Glove is made in Santa Maria a Monte, Italy. The key distinction Quince makes on their site is that their version is less than half the price of Everlane’s, so if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to a cult favorite, this is the right pair. I’ll be curious to see if they hold up for as long as two years, as the Day Gloves did for Sally. — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor, Insider Reviews