I'd read the other reviews before purchasing this shoe in an 8-1/2. I fluctuate between 8 and 8-1/2 but based on what I'd read, I went with the 8-1/2, especially because of the pointed toe. Speaking of which, many others noted that the toe box is a great fit and not at all cramped - as with moist pointed-toe shoes. And they're absolutely right! Well, the 8-1/2 was a little big and I tried putting in heel guards but they didn't work. Plus the gap between my heel and the back of the shoe was too noticeable. My feet kept slipping out. So I returned them for a smaller size 8. (Thanks, Amazon, for making the exchange process so incredibly easy and fast!) The result: Perfection! This is a well-made shoe. I'm personally not used to wearing such high, narrow heels - it's been years - so it will take getting used to (I recommend practicing wearing them on non-slip surfaces before venturing out if you're not used to heels like this). The detail in the back of the shoe is even nicer in person. Several people complained that the color shown isn't true to the real color. To those people, I say you're right, but that's the nature of how colors work on digital devices. I'm a photographer and graphic artist, and I can tell you that it's extremely rare for a product to match a merchant's website image. Your monitor also has a lot to do with color perception, as well as color space, rendering, color and monitor calibration, and so on. Not to get techie; I'm just saying it's not the webmaster's/Amazon's/merchant's fault. It's meant to be an approximation. If you need to know the exact color, go to a brick-and-mortar store. That said.... the actual shoe color - as compared to my own computer's rendition - is more of a light beige (a little darker that what you probably see on screen). But no worries there either - the color is rich and beautiful, very neutral, will work well with almost anything you wear (except grays). I actually like the real color better than the website color. So.... the toe cup is comfy, the shoe is well made and comfy once you get used to that narrow high heel, and suede is good quality. I can't wait to kick up my heels with them (they just arrived today, so they'll have to wait a bit.) I'll try to update after I've actually worn them, to see how long my feet feel good in them, but all indications so far show that they're a winner!