I think I would ask yourself why it's important you have these shoes. I know I'm quite capable of getting fixated on things but if I give myself enough time it'll pass. There's many wonderful things in the world to buy and own and wear and you will still be just as lovely in another pair of shoes.

I looked at a lot of the same shoes Bbstx, and IMO the critical elements are rhe cap (not patent) and the distance between the straight edge of the cap and the rim of the shoe. If the cap extends too far or not far enough the design looks ”off.” Or, if the toe box is too big (extends too far onto the top of the foot) and that also skews the proportions,. The bow actually makes no difference (to me); in terms of the overall look it is less important than the rest of the design and, obviously, the fit.

I never found a pair I really liked but love the color combination and style (which used to be called spectator), and when I saw rhe Coach Mary Janes and tried rhem on I loved them, patent cap toe, strap and all. They were more of an interpretation of the trend and the little gold cinderella coach thingie on the cap is so small it sort of fades and I actually kind of love it now, lol. This all does not help you one bit in your search (except maybe to look for a style without the bow and try it) . I’m glad I found shoes I like but have to say honestly that if I really needed to buy the Chanel ones I probably would. I am very hard on my shoes though and do not think they would last me forever without some serious behavior modification!

In all honesty, i cannot imagine wanting a pair of shoes so much ??? that i would pay that amount. If I did, i would be embarassed to wear them.

Posting problems, sorry if this shows up numerous times.

Size 7 ???? From the real real

You are not the only one looking….

“The Hunt For The Most Chanel-Like Ballet Flat“ (from 2018)

https://themomedit.com/chanel-inspired-ballet-flats/

I have these, and really like them. Worn a few times and are comfortable. Doesn't tick all of your boxes though. I got mine from Nordstrom's.

https://www.jonjosef.com/products/belle-quilted-ballet-flat-in-black-tan-combo?_pos=1&_sid=ee01c7b08&_ss=r

I‘ve had these Taryn Rose ones for a long time, and they are quite comfortable. I am not sure if they are still made, though.

Have you looked at Birdies, Rothys, or Tieks?

Side story: years past I was looking for a comfortable black pump to have on hand when the occasion arose.

i was willing to pay whatever, and did order a very expensive, for me, pair. It wasn’t comfortable so they were returned.

While the cost does seem very high, mostly due to the name brand, i would be curious to see if the comfort level is there.

it is a classic and you seem to really want it…..

Well, they're really special and adorable. Just curious, what will you wear them with?

I know you said you don’t want the black patent but the one pair of FSNY flats I had were my favorite in terms of comfort.

@maddielee, Thanks for hunting for me. I’ve looked at The Real Real, Poshmark, Ebay, and Luxury Closet and several other sites for pre-owned luxury goods. First, I’m not sure how I feel about used shoes. I’m a little skeeved out. The ones I saw looked really worn. However, if you run across a pristine pair, I wear a Eur 39. Of course, they would also need to be returnable since I’m unsure of my size in this particular shoe.

@OllieJane, those Jon Josef are cute even if they don’t check all the boxes.

@texanjana, I saw a pair of Taryn Rose shoes that were pretty much what I was looking for. Then I found out that Taryn Rose had gone out of business. 😣

@rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7 Thanks for the suggestions, but I am looking for leather

@eld6161 I seem to be moving in that direction. If I do, can I justify a trip to Paris to buy them? 😁

@barncatz, I think I could wear them with almost anything, but I’m envisioning them with jeans … especially with jeans, a blazer, and a t-shirt. Or with shorts when I need a closed-toed shoe. Or with black pants and…. I can’t think of much they don’t go with.

@Kswl thanks for your very erudite analysis. You’ve nailed a lot of the issues I’m having with the look-alikes.

@lisaam, glad to get your comments on the French Sole shoes. They are contenders if I cannot find precisely what I’m looking for.

I wore my MJ’s to a fundraising meeting this morning and am wearing them to shop this afternoon. They are padded and comfy! A nude or light tan belt helps tie it all together:

(Bbstx that is an unstructured white linen blazer I found last week. I don’t think you can tell in the photo but it has panels of white ribbed cotton inset on both sides that gives it vertical princess type seams and therefore a great fit.)

I also wore these shoes to a piano concert with dressy black shorts and a nude light sweater over the same black top.

I could probably find a way to wear these shoes three times a week, and they aren't nearly as versatile as the ones Bbstx wants.

“. First, I’m not sure how I feel about used shoes. I’m a little skeeved out.”

me too, have never bought used shoes. Although I sometimes slip my feet into my granddaughter’s flip flops.

DD bought a pair of cowboy boots on Ebay when she was in college. I was aghast. She wanted something really beaten up. They qualified - in spades! She bought bowling shoe sanitizer and sprayed them down good. Even so, she always wore socks with them.

FWIW, you might try using Google Image search to look for what you have in mind. I often do that.

And with resale, you need to keep checking back, of course. IMO, finding something so specific requires effort and patience.

And I agree that with time, some desires ebb away.

P.S. So I went to Macys.com to see what they had and came across these very pretty Franco Sarto leather ballet flats that I now want for myself - not Chanel style tho 😁

There are 7 colors, but they don't have my size in this color, darn it!

P.P.S. Looks like Naturalizer makes something that fits the criteria...

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/naturalizer-maxwell-cap-flats?ID=18192095&sizes=FLAT_TYPE!!Ballet

Nordstrom has a Vaneli Serene in your colors. They are quilted but nappa leather and while not quite your Chanel flat, have a similar vibe. No bow however.

When I first had a little money of my own, Vaneli shoes from Nordstrom were a big deal. And comfortable! Or, at least they were quite comfortable even in their heels at the age I was then 😊 Fall Preview Sales? We always looked first to see which Vanelis for that season might be previewed - marked down.

Vaneli 'Serene'

@morz8 - Washington Coast back in the day, I had the best looking pair of Vaneli shoes! IIRC, they were comfortable, too. But at that age, all shoes were comfortable!

@Kswl, not what I’m looking for, as you noted, but those are the cutest cap-toed MJs!

I have now purchased and returned 10 pair of cap-toe ballet flats, including the Blondo waterproof. They did not meet my requirements, but I can’t resist a cute waterproof shoe.

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that my feet simply do not fit into this style of ballet flat.

Well, of all the outcomes, I did not see that one coming. IMO, while the others were all attractive, none of them can quite touch the original.