If last season was all about embellished ballet pumps, spring’s footwear must-have is kitten heels. According to global shopping platform Lyst, Miu Miu’s patent-leather buckled slingback kitten heels were one of the most searched-for products in the last quarter of 2023, while Miu Miu was crowned the hottest brand of the year. Now it seems influencers and A-listers can’t get enough of these ladylike shoes.
After appearing on the Miu Miu A/W23 catwalk last season, kitten heels went right to the top of every fashion editor’s wish list. But these mid-heel shoes are nothing new. They first rose to prominence in the ‘50s, when the name was coined as they were considered a training heel for ‘kittens’ – adolescent girls who weren’t quite ready to graduate to the era’s newly popular sky-high stilettos.
Despite being seen initially as a ‘training shoe’, kitten heels soon gained popularity in the ‘60s, when they were embraced by the Beatniks and Mods, who loved the fact they could dance in them. Kitten heels were last big in the ‘90s, after supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista were spotted wearing them on their many cover shoots. Now the kitten heel is firmly back in style, with everyone from Kendall Jenner to Gigi Hadid embracing the trend.
Miu Miu isn’t the only brand that’s fallen for the kitten heel’s charms this season. At last month’s Jacquemus ‘Les Sculptures’ catwalk show in Saint-Paul de Vence in the South of France, models walked down the runway in a succession of feminine kitten heels, some with ankle straps, others adorned with bows. This was also the first glimpse we were given of the soon-to-be-cult Les Doubles Sandales, with a silhouette that appears to perch two kitten-heeled shoes on top of one another.
Of course, kitten heels haven’t always been fashionable. Despite being a staple of ‘90s wardrobes, they were largely shunned in the Noughties and ‘10s due to their overly prim and polished look. But the latest SS24’s versions feel decidedly modern, updated with sharply pointed toes, strappy slingback details and innovative new silhouettes. These mid-heel shoes are also incredibly versatile, and feel like a more grown-up evolution from last season’s fancy flats.
Despite their enduring popularity over the decades, the latest crop of kitten heels feels fresh and new for this year. They go with every outfit choice, from maxi, midi and micro hemlines to slim leg trousers and baggy jeans. Putting on a pair of kitten heels instantly elevates any outfit and makes you look more put together. They’re also chic and dressy without sacrificing on comfort – invest in the right pair and they’ll take you from a day of meetings to an elegant evening soirée. Here’s our edit of the best SS24 kitten heels to buy now.
The Glossary Edit
Kitten Heels New Shoe Trend
