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Sleek smoking loafers, chic pairs of sneakers, the Mary Jane, fanciful ballet flats, even a few fall-centric boots—there is a slew of shoes vying for our attention right now. But the one pair that’s really ticking all the boxes this season? Kitten heels. Yes, really. You might wince at the return of the itsy-bitsy heel, but trust us. For podiatric comfort, style kudos, and low-key polish, there is no shoe better suited for your feet right now than a low sling-back, pump, or mule. And this season the best kitten heels are getting a minimalistic revamp. (As most things are.)
Vogue’s Kitten Heel Heroes:
- The Anything-But-Basic Black Kitten Heel: Aeyde Catrina 35 sling-back pumps, $395
- The Crystal-Embellished Kitten Heel: Khaite Minna embellished mules, $1,100
- The Cherry Red Kitten Heel: Reformation Wilda kitten mules, $278
- The Celeb Favorite: Gucci sling-back pumps, $950
- The Mary Jane Model: Massimo Dutti suede sling-back high-heel shoes, $169
- The Minimalist Mule: Toteme The City leather mules, $455
- The Bright White Kitten Heel: Banana Republic low-heel mules, $140
- The Catwalk-to-Closet Choice: Tory Burch sling-back pumps, $512
- The Metallic Kitten Heel: J.Crew Leona sling-back heels, $148
- The Latte-Inspired It Item: Manolo Blahnik Maysale 50 buckled suede mules, $795
The simple, yet statement-making shoe is also a certified fashion crowd favorite, with styles from Prada and Khaite to Toteme and The Row topping not just our fall shopping carts. Of their biggest supporters, fashion darling Hailey Bieber is a kitten heel hero. Just last month, the A-lister wore a pair of cherry red Gucci sling-backs that had us all rethinking the ballet flat craze for good. Like Bieber, wear yours with other It items on this season’s most wanted list—like an oversized suede blazer, ultra miniskirt, and a plain, but perfect white tee. The end result? A look that is both polished and right on trend.