Frequently asked questions

Yes. We fit-tested both shoes on real dancers and they run true to size. Easiest sanity check: go with the size you usually wear in leather dress shoes. Size is also a feeling, some like a little room and some like it snug, so if you're deciding between two, see the Fit section below.

No. They have separate size charts because the toe box shapes are different. Check the Size & Fit chart for the specific shoe, your size in one isn't automatically your size in the other.

Our sizes run on a women's scale, about 1.5 sizes larger than men's. Subtract 1.5 for your men's size: a marleys 9.5 is roughly a men's 8, a marleys 10 is a men's 8.5. The Cat is our gender-neutral model. Send us your foot length and width and we'll confirm.

Everyone's a little uneven. Use your longer foot.

Snug through the foot with room at the toes. Your toes should never hit the end or feel cramped. The leather is soft and settles into a sock-like, glove fit as you wear them.

Yes. Both shoes were designed around real width and a range of foot shapes, with a roomy toe box and soft leather that settles into a glove fit. If your feet are extra wide, go up one size.

Yes, and either shoe works. It's the combination of the roomy toe box construction and our soft leather, so toes can splay and rest naturally without being squished. For the most give, go with our softest leather, the Mestizo, in the Brushed Gold or Juniper colourways. It's the best pick for bunions.

Up. Your toes should never be cramped, and the lace up construction takes care of the slightly roomier fit.

Not really. The leather is supple from day one and softens further with wear. When you first try them on, do it on carpet rather than a hard floor so the leather soles stay unmarked in case you decide to send them back.

No. The Cat and the Ava both lace up, so you can loosen or tighten over the instep to dial in the fit.

That's what they're built for. An 8 mm dual-layer cushioned insole gives shock absorption and energy return, with arch support for when your feet fatigue late in the night. The insole is removable if you wear orthotics of a similar thickness.

Yes. Book a fit consultation and we'll go through your measurements together and recommend the right size and shoe. Send your foot length and width (or scan results) ahead of time and we'll come prepared.

Three, all on a natural colour leather sole:

• Platinum: a white gold with more visible texture and grain. A metallic foil that reflects light.
• Brushed Gold: a pearlescent champagne gold with a hand-brushed effect. Does not reflect light.
• Juniper: black leather with a green-gold pearlescent finish.

All three are versatile and pair with a wide range of colours and outfits.

Both mould to your foot, but they have a different hand. Mestizo is our buttery soft leather, with a little less structure, so it creases more (it's on the Brushed Gold and Juniper). Goat leather is soft and pliable with a bit more body, so it holds its shape and creases less (it's on the Platinum). Choose mestizo for a glove-soft feel, goat for a bit more structure.

No. Every pair ships on the same natural leather sole, whatever colour upper you choose.

Three questions usually settle it.

• Do you want the shoe to reflect light? Go with the Platinum. It has a metallic foil that reflects light.
• Do you want ultra soft leather and don't mind creasing? Go with Brushed Gold or Juniper in Mestizo Leather.
• Do you want more structure that creases less? Go with the Platinum in Goat Leather.

Canada and the United States, with every order shipping from Canada.

The First Edition is a preorder and ships late July to early August 2026. We'll email tracking the moment it goes out. If you're timing it to an event, tell us the date and we'll be straight about whether it'll make it.

In Canada, shipping is free on all preorders. To the US, your rate shows at checkout with duties already included, so the price you see at checkout is the price you pay.

Not separately. For US orders, duties and import fees are collected at checkout and built into your total, so there are no surprise charges on delivery.

Yes. Once your order ships we'll email you tracking so you can follow it to your door. If you're expecting tracking and don't see it, email ananya@dancemarleys.com.

Not yet. We currently ship across Canada and the US. If you're elsewhere and want a pair, reach out and we'll see what we can do.

You have 30 days from delivery to request a return. Shoes need to come back unworn, in their original box, with both sets of laces and the insoles, and the leather soles and uppers unmarked. Tip: try them on carpet, not a hard floor, so the soles stay unmarked and your return stays eligible.

Email ananya@dancemarleys.com and we'll send the return address and instructions. Don't ship anything back before you've heard from us, returns sent without approval can't be accepted.

On Canadian preorders, your first exchange is on us, both the return shipping and the shipping on your new pair. For US orders or any later exchange, return shipping is on you, and we'll help you nail the right size first so it comes back as your perfect fit. We don't wait for your original pair to arrive back, once you've dropped it with the carrier we ship your new pair, settling any price difference first.

Once we receive and inspect your return, approved refunds go back to your original payment method within 10 business days (your bank may take a little longer to post it). There's no restocking fee. Shipping and duties aren't refundable.

Yes, any time before it ships. Since the shoes are a preorder, that's a generous window, and we'll refund you in full, including any deposit. Once it's been fulfilled, it falls under the return policy. To cancel, email ananya@dancemarleys.com.

Email us right away at ananya@dancemarleys.com and we'll make it right.

No, those are final sale.