Steve Madden

In town for a few days for a seminar, I did some quick shopping. Store is architecturally contemporary and attractive. Layout is well done and conducive to browsing. The shoes were attractive, too. And, they have shoes not made in China. So, I bought two pairs in my size.
After walking 5 minutes in my new boots, the inside of my left heal was worn off and bleeding. Third time I pulled the boots on, the flimsy leather loop broke. The sewing to close the loop punched so many holes through the thin leather, only about two-​thirds of the original section remained. The interior of this loop also had a nylon ribbon glued inside. Ostensibly, this is to make a smooth experience for the finger that goes into the loop. Problem with this is, the glue is weak and the ribbon easily displaces, so the finger finds a sticky experience instead.
The left boot has a lump at mid-​upper-​foot. The strip of leather holding the holes for the laces was too short, apparently. So, the maker added an additional bit of leather to lengthen it. That is fine when building a remote communications relay tower. But, in a shoe it is a serious foul.
Last note: A friendly young Asian male helped me find the shoes. But, when I approached the cashier to await his return from the back room, a slouching, tall, African-​American woman left her leaning to ring me up. I never like this. Most sales workers receive commission. If the helpful person’s employee ID is not entered with the sale, they are out their earned percentage. So, I asked to wait for the young man. She did not like that. So, she carried on a conversation with herself (for my benefit) about how this is not a problem. It was nothing against her– it was something done as a courtesy to the person who was working hard and who had helped me.
Major point: I paid premium prices and expected to receive premium shoes. I received instead second rate design, second rate craftsmanship, and a raw spot the size of a quarter (who lines the inside of boot heel with rough muslin?)
Proceed with caution.