Skip to content
Vanity Fair Fashion
Beauty

This Spring, Kitten Heels Are the Fashion Crowd’s Favorite Shoe for Low-Key Polish

By Kevin Harson

This Spring, Kitten Heels Are the Fashion Crowd’s Favorite Shoe for Low-Key Polish

For everyday ease and elegance, start with classic black styles from Aeyde, Toteme, The Row, and Stuart Weitzman. Pair them with a structured suit vest or sleek jean for a take on modern workwear. Meanwhile, red-hot heels from Jacquemus or Manolo Blahnik’s blue pair pack a welcome punch of color. On a more textural note, python-printed pumps from Khaite will you have you walking on the wild side.

Then, there’s Marc Jacobs’s punky strapped style or Miu Miu’s twisted oxford pumps that add a bit of extra prep. Simply thrown on either with a go-to LBD or a going-out top and you’re instantly styled. As for what Vogue editors’ are eyeing themselves? Animal-print pumps from Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, and even Zara rank high on our wish lists. Shop our full edit of the best kitten heels, below.

Classic Black

You really can’t go wrong with a classic black kitten heel. These staple styles from brands like The Row, Emme Parsons, Toteme, and Saint Laurent span the spectrum from daytime to evening wear and will stay in your closet for years to come.

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Sandal, Shoe, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, Accessories, and Strap
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, High Heel, and Shoe
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Sandal, Shoe, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, Accessories, Strap, Sandal, and Suede

Black With a Twist

If you already have the basics covered, branch out to our favorite black styles with a twist—like Mary Janes from Aeyde or a scrunched shape from JW Anderson. These still feel classic, but with a bit of extra personality.

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, Accessories, and Strap
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, Sandal, Accessories, and Strap
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, Accessories, Formal Wear, and Tie
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Sandal, Shoe, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Sandal, Shoe, Accessories, Strap, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, Sandal, and Accessories

faux pearl-embellished pumps

Animal Print

Speaking of personality, why not take a literal walk on the wild side with one of these animal print pairs? Bottega Veneta’s leopard heels are already flying off the shelves, are the rest are soon to follow suit.

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Sandal, Shoe, High Heel, Accessories, and Strap
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, Sandal, and Smoke Pipe
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Sandal, Shoe, and High Heel

Color Pop

Whether you’re a minimalist or an expert at over-the-top, a pop of color is always welcome, particularly during the spring. We love Jacquemus’s sleek red slingbacks or Martiniano’s pink take.

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, High Heel, Shoe, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, High Heel, and Shoe
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sandal, and High Heel

Atikalo embellished mules

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and High Heel

Sporty Kate slingback pumps

Neutrals

Like black kitten heels, neutrals are also a wardrobe must—though they’re slightly less expected and often add more dimension to a look. Depending on your courage (and daily commute) a fresh pair in white is a chic option, but there are lots of great styles in the brown family too.

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Cutlery, and Spoon
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and High Heel

Sharp Mules

For days when you’re feeling extra sharp (and chic), try an pointy pair of mules. Balenciaga’s knife heel has become a cult classic at this point, but we also love Marc Jacobs’s strappy style.

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sandal, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Suede
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sandal, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sandal, and High Heel

Loafer Hybrids

A newer entry into the kitten heel category is the loafer-heel hybrid, which will put a bit of prep in your step. The trend was pioneered by Jonathan Anderson at Loewe, and has since made its way onto runways at Gucci and Miu Miu.

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Sandal, Shoe, High Heel, Accessories, and Strap

brogue slingback T-strap pumps

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sandal
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sandal, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and High Heel
Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, High Heel, and Sneaker

Campo kitten penny loafers

Originally published by vogue.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Vanity Fair Fashion.

More Beauty