A CASE FOR KITTEN HEELS

Salvatore Ferragamo

A CASE FOR KITTEN HEELS

 Not since the avalanche and battlements raised against wedges have a collective movement aimed at completely ostracising and annihilating a particular shoe genre emerged.

Previously viewed as the exclusive preserve of matronly, 40-year-old and upwards, pious deaconesses, staid 'ladies who lunch' and mild-mannered fashion-challenged spinsters, kitten heels are now being hailed as the new necessities for diehard, seasoned forward-thinking fashionistas.

It didn't help that their forebears were usually round-toed, orthopaedic-leaning, stubby stumpy-heeled releases. The ubiquitous Chanel two-toned pairs spring to mind. For some reason, they're hugely popular, but, try as I might, I simply do not see the appeal. Clearly, I'm in the minority.

Fashion trends are cyclical, in garment industries or on accessory lines, the basic foundations remain unchanged, the differentiation from one season to the next being the ability of designers to infuse elements that are fresh, innovative or unique but still functional.

At the end of the day, what really is the point of a shoe if it can't be worn? Sure, true Shoeisters know and accept that not all pairs in their wardrobes will see the light of day or even pound street cobblestones due to their treacherous heights. Still, we keep them and eventually, they morph into a shoe collector's version of art.

Take, for instance, the Prada heels SS, the addition of the 3-dimensional flower buds on the neon-coloured shoe caps served to elevate the simple pointy-toed bottoms to new levels. They have become not just pumps but a statement in themselves. One builds their outfits around the shoe as the focal point, not the other way around.

Prada SS23

I guess by now you deduce that I'm a kitten-heel apologist. Yes, I stand accused as such, an avowed follower and fervent collector.

Give me a pump and a kitten heel any day and I'm in glorious shambles. A post dedicated to pumps is in our near future. I do believe they're a classic and should be a staple in every woman's wardrobe( but I digress). At the moment, kitten-heels are experiencing a much-needed comeback and I'm totally here for it.

So, Lords and Ladies, if you please, permit me to plead the case and fight the cause of these always vilified shoes with a few salient points below.

"Why should any self-respecting fashion girl possess, much less be seen in them?", you might venture to ask.

FUNCTIONALITY

Simply put, they ACTUALLY get to be  WORN. Their comfort levels are unmatched. The heel-to-toe angles are markedly reduced so, there are no unnecessary pressures on the foot insteps, enabling their use for longer periods of time. As most influencers today will say, "You get your cost-per-wear" or money's worth.

Jill Saunders

They're elevated basics because they aren't just FLAT,(yes, heel-heights;1-2" still qualify), there isn't that casual, offhandedness flat-flats bestow on the wearer. Brogues loafers and Oxfords are impressionable, don't get me wrong, however, sometimes, they do tend to appear ultra utilitarian, even masculine in extremes, which is fine when that's the intended message. You'll agree with me though that some environments, scenarios and situations will require a more refined accessory. 

Kitten heels can fill that void by providing the classic element but with as much edge as necessary or possible without being boring.

VERSATILITY

There are many versions and types; boots, sandals, slingbacks, slippers or pumps, MaryJanes, ballerinas, you name it. Sculptural ;whimsical or plainly practical, they can be classic pointy toes or avant-garde iterations, round-toed in the case of the Jacquemus double bow ballerinas, square-toed, or even split-toed, think the viral Maison Margiela Tabbys. Block-heeled, weirdly angled options or tiny spiked ones, whatever your preference, there's the right kitten heel for you, from preppy nubile teenagers to stylish women in their 50s and older, there are no age limits set.

Jacquemus

They can be worn to weddings, dates, work functions, school, interviews, funerals, galas, the red carpet, EVEN with asoebi. 😍

HEALTHY

They are the sensible options for our feet. " Beauty is pain", they say. Try repeating that when waiting in line for hip replacement surgery or having to painfully hobble three blocks to your packed car because you are tottering on 6" stiletto heels for the culture.

 I should also add that fashionable ladies everywhere are ditching their painful high heels for kitten briefs in 2024 and beyond.

Givenchy

This is not a complete abandonment of high heels nor is it a trend in my opinion, after all, they have always been around. It's about knowing what works for us, what's available, being stylish, yet agreeing to choose our shoe battles. 

Your turn...

Thank you for reading.