Radical News
Read articles, watch videos, learn more about our products past and present.
Yes! Journal
Radical Yes Reads Your Reviews: Olympia Loafer
We are back with another episode of 'Radical Yes Reads Your Reviews' - where Instead of us talking about shoes, we're letting you do the talking. Today we are reading reviews from our customers to see what they think of our super popular Olympia Loafer. We even gave our favourite review a $200 gift voucher. Watch the video to see if it was you! You can see all our Loafers and other Slip Ons here. Filmed and edited for us by Tomorrow Films. Watch the video below. Transcript: Hi Rad friends, we're not in the fitting Salon because we are at Radical HQ design studio, and the reason that I'm here is I wanted to go back to a segment that we worked on last year and that is 'Radical Yes Reads Your Reviews'.I literally do read every review that comes into the business - your reviews are so important to us and we we really want to celebrate reviews and to prove it today we're actually giving a 200 gift card to the winning review that I read so you'll want to stay on for the whole thing and see if it's your review that's getting a winning gift card today.I am going back through some reviews that you have written about one of our best-selling most loved Styles and that is Olympia. Olympia Loafers are actually one of our most highly reviewed shoes and I think there's some pretty good reasons for this aside from the fact that they look epic but rather than me talking about it let's get into it and talk about what you said Lucy shared with us..."Comfy and easy to style these Go. With. Everything" A lot of full stops in there which I like to use full stops too."Exactly as pictured and true to size. Sole is bouncy sturdy and so comfy. Took a little bit of breaking in with some thick socks but nothing crazy. Love how they instantly add a bit of polish to any outfit."Oh so many things I could talk about on this point. Yes they are true to size that seems to be the resounding commentary on the Olympia Loafer, but the bouncy soul they are made from rubber so it makes them super durable and very comfortable to wear on the commute thanks Lucy, not THE winner but still a winner.Susan says..."Perfect loafers I feel like I've been waiting for these since the 90s."I've been waiting for a lot of things since the 90s and these are definitely one of them."Perfect chunkiness, beautiful quality leather, comfortable from the first moment I put them on. True to size..."That's two true to sizes so far did you see that?"...and great for a high arch. Love them".Love that they've been great for your high arch Susan and the reason that Olympia Loafers are great for people with a high arch whilst the vamp is quite deep at the side this little seam makes them quite easy for a high arch and so it's not just me saying it's actually you guys saying it.This one from Christiane... "The shoes I've been looking for forever..."Not just since the 90s exactly."...the shoe I've been looking for forever and could never find. They're so utterly on-trend and yet also completely timeless. I can see me wearing them with jeans suit pants skirts and definitely emphatically with socks."Oh yes they're a very good sock shoe. Very good with socks "might need to get the forest green at some point".Did you hear that Forest Green's? Excited? Christiane is calling your name!Let's talk about the winning review for today's segment of Radical Yes Reads Your Reviews.This comes from Joycee..."Perfect work shoe. After a couple of months of comprehensively breaking in these shoes I can write a proper review. These are a high quality, well-made pair of shoes. Comfortable enough to last a whole day. The first few wears were a bit pinchy, but not too uncomfortable. I recommend opting for a very true to size fit because the shoe needs to be quite moluded to the foot to stay on comfortably."These definitely are true to fit there's no denying that."Break in with thinner socks and patch with Band-Aids where necessary before fully breaking in. My heels were sometimes prone to slipping out and the back would pull my socks down slightly however when the toe box slightly stretched around my foot I did not have any such issues. The rubber sole is grippy with its slight platform the shoe is on the heavier side but I did not have any problems with this. Besides this I've loved the flattering appearance of the shoe it just matches any outfit so beautiful and comfortable. Would kill to have a brown version eventually too." Joycee, we reread your review and we fashioned up a sample here but we need everyone to vote should we make them in Brown? You tell us but the good news is that we are giving Joycee a $200 gift card for her ideas on fashioning up one in brown.That's Olympia Loafer, that's your reviews $200 gift card tell us what you think about a chocolate pair keep the reviews coming because we definitely can make them into the shoes all right.Stay Radical! ✌️
Learn moreRadical Yes...Help Me Find My Best Sandal Fit!
An exploration into the magical, metaphysical world of shoe fitting In today's post, we share two ideas to consider in finding your perfect summer sandal. The first speaks to the barebones practical idea of ‘which fit is best for my foot?’ - based on a physically deductive method. The more easy to capture ‘wide feet’, ‘long feet’, ‘been-dancing-too-long-bumpy-feet’ gives us an easy check box list of things to consider with our key ‘365’ styles. But then there is the (perhaps) bigger consideration of which sandal ‘fits’ the privilege of making it into your life as a long-wearing, multi-purpose, conversation-starting statement sandal. A design idea we cycle through every season in the (re)creation of our ‘always on’ 365 styles. With this in mind, let’s talk first about the all-important practicalities. Wide Feet If your feet are wide - The best styles in our ‘365’ sandal collection for wide feet include our highly reviewed and much adored Arkestra Fisherman Sandal, as well as the (also highly reviewed and loved) Visby Sandal. Both offer good foot coverage, and the all important arch support in the midsole that speaks to the practical imperatives of ‘all day on your feet’ wear. Long & Narrow Feet If your feet are narrow or long, it’s all about the Neptune Sandal. With adjustable velcro straps covering both the arch and ankle, the midsole on this style runs slightly longer than other sandals in our 365 collection making them a favourite for customers with dancer-length toes. Watch the video below to see our Retail Team Leader, Sumedha, sharing all her tips from The Fitting Salon on how to choose your size for these ‘365’ styles. Now. Let’s talk about the radical imperative of ‘365’ styling Styles that we consider ‘365’ talk to our ideas of both ‘all year round styling’ (you know we love a sandal and sock combo) as well as ‘easily deserving of more than a year’ in your wardrobe status. Case in point - our classic T-Bar Declaration Sandal, which we have now been making for an amazing 7 years (!) basically unchanged. See the sandals.
Learn moreRadical Yes Reads Your Reviews: Adventure Awaits Clog
We're back in our design studio and we're reading your reviews. In this episode we dip into the mail bag (aka - online reviews) and see what you're saying about our Adventure Awaits Leather Clog.. We also award our favourite review a $250 Gift Voucher! So click below to watch the video and check if it was you...or be sure to review your last purchase and we may send you a treat! Clogs, Slides & Mules. See more backless styles.
Learn moreCelebrating Creative Women: Amy Pearson, SUN MOTHER® Studio.
We recently connected with creative powerhouse Amy Pearson (brand strategist, coach, designer and podcaster), through another creative powerhouse and friend of our brand, Lucy Lumen (photographer, content creator and long time radical collaborator).
Learn moreOur Newest Location - The Radical Yes Warehouse Outlet
Welcome To The Land of No Returns. The rumours are true - The Radical Yes Warehouse Outlet is now open. As many of our customers know, our Fitting Salon is too small to house our whole collection plus end-of-season styles, so we have expanded our warehouse to accommodate a special outlet store. 'The Land of No Returns' is a place to find sale items, end of line styles, samples, seconds and even rare one-off items. Many items available at the warehouse outlet will no longer be found online or at The Fitting Salon You will find Bags from $49. Shoes from $79. Best of all - you can try them on before you buy. But keep in mind, all sales from 'The Land of No Returns' warehouse outlet are STRICTLY FINAL. No refunds, no returns. That's why we created a place where you can try them on and be sure before you purchase these great finds. If you are looking for new arrival styles and our warehouse outlet is closer to you than our Fitting Salon - you can also visit to try on and buy news styles because they're all available in our warhouse. Please note new and non-sale styles are at regular prices. Getting There The Land of No Returns is located at Clik Collective, 203 Rooks Rd, Vermont VIC, 3133. Just off Canterbury Rd in Vermont. There is parking on site. Public Transport - Buses 736 and 765 run from Mitcham train station to corner of Rooks & Canterbury Rds. Clik Collective is a shared warehouse space housing many interesting local businesses. Enter through reception and the friendly Clik Collective staff will direct you to our warehouse unit. Opening Hours Tuesday: 10 am - 4 pm Wednesday: 10 am - 4 pm Thursday: 10 am - 4 pm Friday: 10 am - 5 pm Closed Public Holidays Find some of these end-of-season styles and more.
Learn more6 of the Best Sneakers to Wear to Work
There is no denying the ongoing casualisation of the workplace. But while it may be getting more socially acceptable to turn up to work in your trainers, there is still a level of ‘put togetherness’ our radical creative customers naturally want to feel. With this idea in mind, when it comes to designing our sneaker collections we are always considering ways our products can help customers show up as the best version of themselves whilst still maintaining that all important hit of radical individuality (something mass made sneaker brands can’t hit). Here is our list of limited edition styles for ‘on-duty’ moments that will take you from the studio to the Boardroom, or even all the way to yard duty in exclusive radical style… Ballet Core Retro Sneaker in Crushed Gold Leather - made in a small batch of 140 Designed with a suit in mind. The lower profile cut of this sharp trainer speaks to the professional heart of what we do. Sleek and modern with just the right amount of shine, we dreamed this one up for the many architects and interior designers we work with who need a style that helps define their creative vision. Super Journey Velcro Sneaker in Metallic Silver - made in a small batch of 100 If you are a hairdresser or nurse - or just someone who stands on their feet all day, Super Journey is your new BFF. Set on a fully flexible, bouncy rubber outsole made intentionally double height thick this shoe also features a fully removable insole and is orthotic friendly. Featuring fast getaway velcro straps, the premium leather upper also makes the spills and thrills of these more active vocations easy to wipe off. Movement Buckle Shoe in Cement Leather - made in a small batch of 100 Dreamed up for the teachers, the librarians and all those workplaces where you need to have covered toes but still want to maintain your fashion dignity (we know who you amazing women are and we are here for you!). Part sandal, part sneaker (we sometimes call them a ‘shandal’), the Movement shoe has become the go-to work shoe staple for many of our customers. Pretty Sweet Sneaker in Black Suede & Nylon - made in a small batch of 80 Forget the ‘just got back from gym’ vibes sneakers at work can sometimes be at risk of falling into. With it’s all black everything finish, Pretty Sweet has the chameleon energy of a lace up loafer and loves being worn as such. Match with pull up black socks, a long line skirt and blazer for a more modern take on the your cross-city commute days. The Super Model Sneaker in White Leather - made in a small batch of 100 10,000 steps worthy! The best accent to a pair of black man-style pants is a fresh white sneaker. Our Supermodel sneakers were designed with a hint of yellow on the eyestay (the part where the laces go), for a conversational colour pop. Match these with a crisp white shirt and pull all the preppy vibes for your next PT meeting. All the comfort feels but still a kind of power play put togetherness going on. Radical and Yes. Ballet Core Retro Sneaker in Daisy Satin & Suede Colour, but make it all-work-occasion wearable. As noted by our stylish friends at Homeroom recently - this shoe is the “alternative to *those* sneakers but wanting a fun colour regardless.They’re made in small batches so you won’t be seeing them on every man and their dog.” See the sneakers up close. ballet-core-trainer-gold-crush, super-journey-velcro-trainer, movement-buckle-shoe-cement, pretty-sweet-trainer-black, the-supermodel-lace-up-trainer-white-and-90s-yellow, ballet-core-sneaker-yellow
Learn moreSquare up: from trend to timeless
Trends are born on the runway and it’s only a matter of time (we’re talking days, if not hours) until they make their mark on the street-style scene. So when Grazia declared flat shoe liberation as New York Fashion Week wrapped up, we were all ears. "Fashion hasn’t always favoured the practical. But a substantial amount of shoes swapped out the sky-high platforms of last season for more functional footwear.” Hear, hear! Flat shoes are the gift that keeps on giving. And what better opportunity to introduce you to the latest shape on our feet, one that’s quickly achieving cult status to become a modern day classic: the square toe. Don’t get us wrong, who could resist a pointed toe? Then there’s the round toe which we all know and love, or those open toe platform sandals when summer comes around. We could never turn our backs on these beloved styles. But the square toe shape is looking strong and we’re happy to say it has been for a while. Better still, it’s here to stay. That means it’s time to get familiar with the various silhouettes, if you haven’t already. Square toe mules Slip-on shoes can surprise you in their functionality. It doesn’t get any easier than slipping into a pair of mules. Name any other smart shoe that actually looks good with sweatpants, jeans or a tailored suit. These backless flats are quiet but simultaneously make a statement. That shows confidence. Comfortable? Tick. Add depth, dimension and proportion to outfits? Tick, tick, tick. Can wear everywhere? Tick. Most of the year (socks or sockless). Tick. In case you needed any further convincing of square toe mules, yes, the rumours are true, one of our angular pairs was featured in said Grazia article as one of the “key styles” to watch out for in the footwear department - take a bow Badu square toe mules, you are making us proud. Shop Square Toe Mules. Square-Toe loafers When it comes to sharp shoes that are clearly made for walking, durable loafers score highly. Straighten the edges and you get a seriously modern twist on the latest and greatest flat shoes for women. The exaggerated toe shape of the Misia loafers, for example, gives dimension to a simple outfit – that tailored suit becomes edgy, your classic black dress gets a bit more curious and it brings a mini skirt to another level of effortlessly cool. Yet they don’t steal the limelight. Square-toe loafers just work; they balance out proportions and are so much easier to style than you’d expect. Winter? Add a sock. Bare legs? They’re calling out for these pretty in pink beauties, with their distinct softness that's toughened up with the texture of cracked leather. Of course, there’s always the option of going back to black and we’ve added another variation to the mix for timelessness with an edge – patent leather in all its high-shine glory. The silhouette is here, the colour is there, now all you have to do is nail the fit of slip-ons and you won’t look back. Shop Square Toe Loafers Square toe boots We know that every flat shoe wardrobe needs a pair of durable boots. Well, have you considered square toe boots for work? Or play? Or dinner? Ok, you get the gist. These babies have versatility and can transform a workaday look into something sharp. The square toe is a great juxtaposition to anything overly feminine. It veers on having more masculine vibes, that when paired with a pretty dress and mini clutch bag, strikes the balance we all strive for. It’s ok to take a break from black, in fact we highly recommend it when it comes to the Tomorrow gold square toe boots. Not too masculine, not too feminine, less chunky, more streamlined, these Chelsea boots for women are smile-inducing. Style them with ultra chic navy – it wears just like your favourite black staples but with an unexpected softness. Add a contrasting colourful bag and you’re onto a winner. Shop Square Toe Boots
Learn morePatience Tall Boot: Will They Fit My Strong Calves?
This week in The Fitting Salon we unbox our new Patience Tall Boot and answer the most frequently asked question so far..."Will They Fit My Strong Calves?". We say hopefully yes - because of the way we designed them for you. Watch the video where we explain more and try them on too. You can also read more about our Patience Tall Boot as part of our Guide to Winter Boots here.here. You can see Patience Tall Boot and all our other boots here. Filmed and edited for us by Tomorrow Films. Watch the video below. See more boots here.
Learn moreThe Radical Yes Guide to Winter Boots
Let’s talk winter boots There’s nothing like a pair of new boots to get you through the winter. A smart and considered investment that we contemplate just as much as you do. In our design phase, we’re conjuring up places, events and outfit ideas - deciphering those the I.R.L (in real life) situations that each boot will take our customers. It excites us in our dedication to producing high-quality and sustainable boots in small quantities; reliable pieces that make getting ready every day so much easier. So, to help you make your choice this year, here’s the Radical Yes guide to our new capsule collection of winter boots featuring the who, the what and the why. Worn with love and care every other day, you'll enjoy plenty of happy wear. Tomorrow Chelsea Boots Chelsea boots but not like you know them. The Tomorrow boots borrow elements from a customer favourite and are reinvented with a distinctive edge and polished finish that’s seamless to style. The result is a modern shape for those wanting to look dressed up and sharp. Discover The Tomorrow Boots Ari Boots Brighten up your winter wardrobe with vermilion on your feet. These hybrid women’s ankle boots are dedicated to a special punk rocker. Despite the bright colour, Ari isn't just reserved for an all-black outfit, we’re digging these durable boots with hues such as white, grey and navy. Discover The Ari Boots Patience Tall Boots Our first tall boot. You’ll never grow tired of the Patience black boots. They’re versatile, timeless and go with just about anything in your wardrobe. We’re sporting them with looks you simply wouldn’t expect - and they look simply perfect. Trust us, these black boots are a style you can rely on all year round. Discover The Patience Boots Peace Combat Boots A grungy, hiking situation. These leather ankle boots offer a perfect balance of practicality and style that we can gladly get behind. If you fancy adding a toughness to a girly miniskirt or floral dress, look no further than the Peace Combat boots. But don’t stop there, a full-length pant or dungarees go hand in hand with these boots - adapt them to your style and mood. Discover the Peace Combat Boots Lead The Way Boots Flatforms in two ways. Both of which are lined in soft, cosy and temperature regulating Australian merino wool. Lead The Way are the sustainable boots you’ve needed and just didn’t realise it. We’ve amped things up for you in forest green leather which brings a warmth and depth to your outfit. Discover The Lead The Way Boots Saturn Returns Forest A strong contender for this season’s most popular boot that’s also kind of a sneaker. We’re nominating it as a 'beaker'. With Saturn Returns Forest, we’re all about green right now for its versatility with a grey jean, black pant or floaty dress. But don’t look past our pewter colourway as an easy shortcut to polished style. Both are lined in Australian merino wool shearling to keep you comfy. Discover Saturn Returns Boots Shop Winter Boots.
Learn more