So I was skeptical about these shoes. Forty bucks is awfully cheap for a pair of trendy velvet tuxedo loafers, but with free shipping and free returns, I decided to give them a try! They are sweet! Very good. I usually wear an 11 (44) and they're a bit big, I'll trade them in for a half size smaller. When I opened the box, it smelled very strongly; Formaldehyde. But I think it will fade.