text: I should have returned right away, but I wanted to believe these shoes were fine. First if all, white birks are practically sold out everywhere. On this site, there seems to be plenty. 2nd, the shoe material is not the same.  3rd, the &#34;gold&#34; writing comes off...not the fade look... but literally peels off. 4th, the size is bigger. 5th, the material is not breathable and is very suffocating on the foot.  I looked at the bands, and underneath it is all felt instead of leather.  Also the cork soles have been falling apart.  I have a feeling these are fake. I own two others and they've aged well, the normal wear and tear.<br />Don't buy, get them at the shoe store.