Solely Jane Review: Interchangeable Shoes For Travel
Updated: Oct 14
I adore a good gimmick like the last guy. I love catchy Facebook ads and the "but wait, there's more!" sales pitches. Sometimes I even buy into them (I'm still regretting that buy 2 deal on the bug zapper).
So when I saw something travel related that could really boost my packing skills, my first thought was, "I've got to have it!". As a shoe monger and habitual over-packer when it comes to my soles, I was instantly intrigued by the Facebook campaign for Solely Jane.
If you haven't seen it, Solely Jane is a small business providing interchangeable shoes to improve your packing skills when you travel. You buy a base shoe (sole), and then as many lock-in tops to your shoe that you desire.
They had me reeled in and on the hook. So I had to know - was this another suave marketing pitch or was this nouveau idea worth trying out? Always Pack Tissues investigates.
Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale.
If You're Short on Time
You've seen the ads, now you want to know - do I like them? Can I get you a discount?
YES and YES. The shoes are comfortable enough to wear to an all night wedding (I have!), sturdy enough for walking around brick streets after a rainstorm (did that too!) and not too clunky to pack. They are versatile for casual to dressy outfits and so fun to mix and match.
You're going to want to read more in my review below, but if you are truly short on time, check out the quick details to purchase at a discount:
Buy your Solely Jane Interchangeable Shoes now and use the Solely Jane discount code ALWAYSPACKTISSUES for 10% off.
In this article learn about:
What are Interchangeable Shoes?
Interchangeable shoes are essentially a mix and match way of building new styles with low effort. You pair a base with a top that slides on a track, which then snaps into the base in seconds.
With one base and multiple options for interchangeable shoe styles, I can go from daytime casual to evening smolder with little effort and virtually a zero-footprint on my packing space.
There are now two types of Solely Jane offerings - their flats line, and their heels line.
How Interchangeable Shoes Work
Ditch the bulky suitcase full of five pairs of shoes - one carefully curated for every outfit, of course, and instead pack just the one base and multiple tops for endless shoe creations.
Simply, choose a shoe sole style (flats or heels) and color (black or brown) then, purchase tops to pair with them.
With nearly 25 varieties of shoe toppers for the heels and more than a dozen for the flats, you can spice up and outfit with leopard print, tans, blacks, blues, browns and even pink options.
With just one of these shoe bags from Amazon I can toss in my soles (shoe bottoms) plus multiple toppers, and there you have four or five pairs of shoes taking up the space of JUST ONE PAIR. (Or, psst...Solely Jane also makes a custom travel bag here!)
If that's not revolutionizing shoe packing, then I don't know what is.
Now, I'm looking stylish and no longer putting form over function. With comfort and style in mind, these brilliant shoes have definitely changed the way I pack.
Solely Jane Cost
A classic comfort sole and two solemates (the tops) will run you about a hundred dollars. Tops by themselves are $33 at the time of writing, which seems pretty reasonable for a new pair of kicks if you already have the base shoe.
Flats are running around $35 for tops and $45-60 for bases, depending on deals. (Don't forget to use ALWAYSPACKTISSUES when you purchase for an additional discount!)
Now let's get to the reviews...
Solely Jane Reviews for Flats and Heels
Flats Review:
The long awaited new line of flat sandals is a tremendous addition to the already successful Solely Jane interchangeable shoe brand.
If I saw these in the store, they look expensive, they feel expensive, and I'd be afraid to check the price tag.
Luckily, these flats are very affordable, and really comfortable.
Already being a fan of the heels, I chose two basic colors - the Milan Onyx and the Maui Onyx, both basic blacks but serving different functions.
The Maui (also sold in coral and brown) have a strap around the ankle and braiding along the toe ridge. Secure enough for every day wear, they are also attractive enough for evenings out and even more strenuous walking days.
The Milan (also sold in sage, salmon and walnut) are slip on sandals best for casual walking days and pairing with your favorite sundress.
Both tops come snug. I.e., choose your size carefully, and make returns as needed until you get the right size. (See more on my sizing guide below). Be sure to give them a few days to stretch and give to your foot before considering size adjustments, too.
If you have wide feet, I am not sure I would recommend these sandals. They are best suited for narrow or normal width feet.
As for the base, it is not only comfortable to walk in, but also has the right amount of bend at the arch. With the proper sizing on the tops, these shoes are a dream.
The mechanism for sliding the tops on is thinner than the heels, so just be prepared to string them through like spaghetti on a track and you'll get the hang of it quickly!
The Verdict Is In: Are the Solely Jane Flats worth it?
Final verdict on the soles: comfortable, stylish and cute! No complaints.
Final verdict on the solemate tops: getting the right size is key here. My first tops came tight, but after some time walking around in them, they love my foot like I love them.
Flats Buying Guide:
Use Solely Jane discount code ALWAYSPACKTISSUES at checkout for an additional cost savings!
Need bases?
Choose from black or brown at the links below. Choose the size that you typically wear, as the base is true to size.
Need tops?
I chose and recommend:
Consult the sizing guide below to find a fit that works for you.
For the Maui, I suggest purchasing a top that is 1-1.5 sizes higher than your typical size to allow for ankle comfort.
For the Milan, a half size to full size larger than your go-to size will be a good fit.
Heels Review:
I initially chose the brown base with the Savannah and Phoenix Onyx tops.
The black Phoenix Onyx top is your standard strappy black sandal, versatile for everyday wear.
The sass of the leopard print is just my style, perfect for pairing with other wild accessories, or for spicing up a basic black outfit.
When I opened the package, my immediate thought was, "oh no." The soles are really heavy. (But don't worry, keep reading).
If you're considering luggage weight as part of your light-packing strategy, then this definitely needs to be factored in.
They are not bendable at the arch*, but rather a firm solid block of synthetic wood material.
There is a nice tread on the bottom, which I tried out on a rainy day after a storm - no slipping!
*If you need more arch support, Solely Jane is selling a product perfect for you. Check it out here.
I was excited to see the flat packed shoe tops were indeed extremely compact, and they are both of great quality. The black sandal top looked and felt like a man-made leather (in a classy way) and the leopard print ones had a suede-like feel, very lightweight.
Pulling the shoe tops on and off the sole were very simple, and the rubber button to snap them in was an interesting manufacturing detail that I rather like.
The Verdict Is In: Are the Solely Jane heels worth it?
Final verdict on the soles: they are comfortable and true to size, but heavy and clunky with no arch bend. The tread on the bottom is great.
Final verdict on the solemate tops: the fit (once I found the right size pairings) is great (again, more on sizing guide below). I'm sitting here in my pajamas and my Solely Jane heels right now, like a proper mid-century house wife. That's to say, they're comfortable enough for hanging around the house!
You'll feel fabulous, stylish and very clever for having found such a unique shoe.
Heels Buying Guide:
Use Solely Jane discount code ALWAYSPACKTISSUES at checkout for 10% off!
Need bases?
Choose from black or tan here:
Need tops?
I chose and recommend:
the Jamaica (Red)
the Savannah (Leopard print)
and Phoenix Onyx (Black)
Consult the sizing guide below to find a fit that works for you.
Are Solely Jane's True to Size?
For my experience, the soles (bottoms) were a great fit on both the flats and the heels, but each of the top styles varied wildly in fit.
In fact, the fit was so astronomically different style to style that I contacted Solely Jane's customer service to try out the next size down as well.
For reference, I'm a 7.5-8 depending on the shoe. I chose size 8 bases for both my flats and my heels, and ultimately went DOWN to a 7 for my heel tops and UP to an 8 for my flats tops.
Because you can mix and match top and bottom sizes, it can be a game of trial and error, so be patient with shipping and working with the Solely Jane reps, because they really want to make sure you are happy with your fit.
Once you fight the magic size pairing, your possibilities of combinations are endless!
Always Pack Tissues' Solely Jane Shoe Size Buying Guide
| My typical shoe | Solely Jane Size to Buy |
Sole/base | I'm a half size | Round up |
| I am a whole size | Buy that size ;-) |
Solemate/shoe topper | I have narrow/petite feet | Round down |
| I have wider/larger feet | Round up |
Solemate/shoe topper that has a high ankle (like the Savannah) (HEELS only) | I have small ankles | Round down |
| I have bigger/wider ankles | Round up |
Note that for the flats tops they run snug. Always round up if you are unsure.
Troubleshooting: Don't Make the Same Mistake I Did
Because it may take some troubleshooting with sizing pairs, don't make some of the mistakes that I did:
Don't poke a bunch of holes to tighten the straps, the fit won't work better that way
The fix: just size down!
Don't walk in a pair of shoes that is floppy (like my Savannahs were around my ankles)
The fix: swap the straps! Thanks to an amazing reader, I discovered that the Savannah tops may have been mislabeled/backwards. If you find issues with your Savannahs, try swapping the one labeled 'right' for the left side, and put the 'left' on the right side. The fit should be better, and at least matches the model photo on the website. My ankles still are a little too narrow I think for these, but they are soo cute so I am keeping them for fun nights out.
Don't settle for a top that is too tight or too loose.
The fix: Simply reach out to Solely Jane support. Your perfect fit is out there.
Don't assume a size won't fit because you don't normally wear that size.
The fix: What a load of difference the top size makes. Don't make the same mistake I did and give up on the first go round. I made the assumption that because I'm a 7.5 that a size 7 top would never work for me. I don't ever buy size 7 shoes, after all.
Are you catching the trend?
Work with the Solely Jane folks until you have found a sole and a solemate that work together for your foot.
Go for the right size based on my chart and you'll find the shoes to be a great match and very comfortable.
Give the shoes a few days to acclimate to your foot.
Remember that they offer accessories for people in need of further arch support and other common foot issues, so be sure to check the link for those here.
Ways to Wear Solely Jane Shoes
Although not the world's most amazing photo of my feet below, I wore my Solely Jane's to a wedding recently and they were outstanding. I honestly can't recall a wedding where I didn't throw away my heels afterwards from pain.
These shoes held up so well, especially on a slippery dance floor (there were many alcohol spills!), because the grip on the bottom is so great. As you can see, I chose to be a little avant garde and I wore these with fun socks.
It was honestly a great decision for warmth on a cool evening, but I've seen lots of French women do this too. Socks with a little bit of mesh or a bow will work great for this. Here's an example from Amazon. Think of cutesy ankle adornments, bows and stocking socks that wow.
These shoes are also excellent on wet days (again, the tread is amazing!), for dinners out, even mile long strolls. I've tried it all!
Consider wearing your Solely Janes to:
A day at the museum
Strolling the farmer's market
Walking European streets after dinner
An evening of dancing on a cruise ship
Places where you want to dress up, but there will be (gasp!) stairs!
When you have to pack small for a cheapo flight somewhere
Other ideas for Solely Jane so you are ready for anything:
Keep a pair of bases in your car with three different style tops for anytime wear and last minute fun
Keep a set ready in your "go" bag for weekend travel
Instead of wine, gift some tops to someone who already owns the base, you have more than 20 to choose from!
Keep your base soles in your behind-the-door shoe rack like the rest of your shoes, and put your Solely Jane tops in a drawer like choosing clothing!
Would I Recommend Solely Jane Interchangeable Shoes?
Yes! They get top marks from me for the style, versatility and seriously cool interchangeable options.
Just be sure to consider what type of shoe works for you. If slingbacks are generally a challenge, consider a wrap around ankle like the Savannah. If you have ankles that are too small, maybe one of their slip-on options would be a better take. Know your foot and order accordingly.
I have to say, I think with this one purchase I've just revolutionized how I pack for travel, and I've still got about 22 more options to purchase. Imagine an entire shoe closet in the space of a file folder or small shoe organizer specially made for travel. The possibilities with Solely Jane are endless. Good job, Solely Jane team. You have my vote.
Buy Your Solely Jane Shoes Here and don't forget to use Solely Jane discount code ALWAYSPACKTISSUES for 10% off!
