These shoes are super cute and comfortable! They are a very dark grey and could almost pass for black. They come with regular shoestrings and the velvet ones shown. I took away one star because they do as another reviewer posted have lighter spots on the leather almost like they have been worn. I don't think they have been but the spots are in areas that would be showing wear if worn. This may have been done on purpose I don't know. I would prefer that the leather all be the same color but you know how they put the tags on things saying that irregularities are normal due to the real leather...not a deal breaker, may try to even them out with shoe polish. It's not super noticeable just to me ;)

Update: 10/10/13  Coming back to see if these shoes are offered in more colors! That's how comfy they are! :)