Kitten heels

Kitten heels were once designed as a more conservative heel height for younger girls, but over the years they’ve transformed into a cheeky, sexy accessory. They’re walkable and wearable, boosting height without discomfort. Every closet needs at least one pair.

 Kitten Heels: A Comprehensive Guide

Stilettos were once the vestige of kings, so it’s unsurprising that you feel like royalty when you wear them. They hark all the way back to the 10th century when they were a sign of fashionable taste and social stature. Kitten heels are, perhaps, the most forgiving heel of all. They lend an air of formality to your outfit without requiring you to walk on the ball of your foot. If you have a long party or workday ahead of you, what better way to enjoy it?

 

History and Evolution

Origins of Kitten Heels Black

Christian Dior designed the first pair of kitten heels sandals for teenage girls, but they were quickly adopted by Hollywood A-listers like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Their exposure through film caused an explosion of popularity, and they’re still mesmerising fashionistas more than 70 years later.

Popularity in the 1950s and 1960s

In the Sixties, the kitten heel became thicker and rounder, all the better to add panache to a Mary Quant dress. It was only a decade later that the stiletto heel took over.

Modern Revival

Dior’s consummate heel enjoyed a grand revival in the Nineties. Women like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington popularised the aesthetic all over again. The look endured throughout the early Noughties as an elegant replacement for flats.

Types of Kitten Designs

Classic Kitten Pumps

The classic kitten heel is a stiletto that’s less than five centimetres tall. It has a shapely curve that sets the heel slightly forward on the shoe. Some might put any 1.5 inch heel in the kitten category, but a true example has a characteristic hourglass shape.

Kitten Heel Sandals

Classic kitten heel sandals usually don’t have buckles. Their slip-on design and slim uppers steal the show. Sling backs can provide a little extra stability, but Bobbies’ strapless denim and beige slip-on kittens dominate the summer collection. You might recognise their shape—they were one of Marilyn Monroe’s favourite designs.    

Kitten Heel Mules

Kitten heel accessories are a classic seasonal trends. The Bobbies mule collection has swiped the sharp toe straight out of the Nineties. The heel is an attention-grabber that needs an equally dramatic upper. The sling backed, sharp-toed design is beautifully balanced.   

Office Wear Shoes

You needn’t wear high heels with your office wear. Kitten designs allow you to don a flat shoe in style. Your feet will thank you for the extra comfort as long as you choose the perfect size. Their soles might be thin, but they distribute your weight evenly across the foot. If your workday includes plenty of standing, there’s no better heel than this.   The Times called the kitten heel a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It was intended to be a more conservative shoe than stilettos, and yet it became a symbol of bold, daring womanhood. Everyone deserves a pair, especially you!