Kitten heels: women’s shoe trend

Kitten heels are like the ugly step-sister of the heel family; they don’t lengthen the legs and define the calf, or generally make you feel like a million dollar sex-bomb. Separate them from the ladylike elegance of the ’50s and ’60s and all you’re left with is a stunted and somewhat unattractive piece of footwear.

But fashion is fashion, and what goes around comes around. So are kitten heels destined to make a comfortable yet potentially unwelcome return? The answer is yes; like it or not, you’ll be seeing plenty more of the kitten heel as a 2010 and 2011 fashion trend. And with the kitten heel being the perfect accompaniment to ladylike ’60s dressing, you might even decide to jump on the bandwagon yourself. Read on as we help you make up your mind.

Kitten heel shoes
Kitten heels at Prada, Fall 2010

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What is a kitten heel?

Kitten heels occupy the space between flat shoes and sex-bomb high heels. They’re a small slender heel of 5cms (2 inches) or less. The heel usually curves inwards from the back of the heel, giving them a bit more stability than a stiletto.

Pointed kitten heels
Kitten heels at Giambattista Valli, Fall 2010

The kitten heel trend

While you could whack a kitten heel onto virtually any type of shoe and say it’s a la mode, that would be something of a stretch. As a 2010 and 2011 shoe trend the kitten heel is linked quite firmly to the return of the silhouettes of the 50s and 60s: from the full-skirted prom styles to the figure-hugging sheaths, the kitten heel is a natural partner for any Mad Men-esque outfit.

As such:

Look to shoes that are dainty, yet sophisticated. That means kitten heels with pointed toes are preferable.
Feminine details like bows can add to the effect but keep it relatively simple and don’t overdo the girlyness.
If you want a pair that will work for both modern and retro-inspired ensembles, go for pairs that are simple and minimalist. Try leather pairs in neutral tones, earthy tones or shades like grey or black.

Minimalist kitten heels at Stella McCartney, Fall 2010

Kitten heel sandals

Moving into Spring 2011 will beg the question: how will the dainty kitten heel translate to the warm weather?

The beauty of both the minimalist and ladylike kitten heel is that they are light enough to transcend the seasons, particular when it comes to office and night time occasions. But for casual Summer daywear, the kitten heel sandal is a more suitable option. Flat sandals are still an unwaveringly chic staple for the warmer weather; but if you do want to try kitten heel sandals look for sophisticated, strappy styles or more interestingly detailed styles that hint at hippy ’70s inspirations – like those at Missoni (below).

Spring kitten heel sandals
Kitten heel sandals at Missoni, Spring 2010

Your thoughts on kitten heels?

As the ugly-duckling of the heel family we’re keen to hear your thoughts of kitten heels. Let us know whether you like them, hate them, or will be wearing them, by leaving a comment below.

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Archived Comments

Gessiqua Pugh wrote on 10th August 2010 at 06.04:

Kitten heels just feel slightly more uncomfortable than stilettos for me personally and I do not find them attractive on the foot at all. The only place I would wear them would be in an office setting.

bee wrote on 10th August 2010 at 06.13:

I hate hate hate kitten heels! Never ever you will see me wearing one of those! EVER!! Screw fashion, I style my own wardrobe.

Daniel wrote on 10th August 2010 at 06.23:

Precisely the kind of feedback I expected this shoe trend would get; kitten heels simply lack the sex appeal that most people want out of shoe trends.

I agree that it's a look that works with particular tie-in trends, but I think it should remain on the catwalk and tied with complimentary (60s) trends.

T. WARD wrote on 10th August 2010 at 08.57:

If you work in retail...they work just fine with the new looks.

MarvelousA wrote on 10th August 2010 at 20.37:

I'm irritated at the way Mad Men seems to be influencing all areas of fashion right now. Maybe I'm the only one, but I'm not a fan of the 60's. At all. I'm even curvy and busty enough to pull that shit off and I don't like it.

Kitten heels = sprained ankles. There's no stability left to right, so it's easy to roll an ankle sideways or just step off the heel altogether. I'd take chunky 4" platform stilettos any day over that tiny post that's not even centered under the weight bearing point of the heel.

Whew. Cranky, sorry. PMS.

suki wrote on 11th August 2010 at 04.27:

I cannot believe women actually have the balls to say they love high heels! You think you look sexy wearing them? NOT! Women look like they are going to fall every second wearing those,and to be honest women are stupid,instead requesting shoes that are comfortable you want shoes that make you unstable,most women don't know how to properly walk on high heels,so your alleged sex appeal is only in your head haha:)) you can only wish to be a sex bomb wearing those but if you're butt ugly there is no heel that will change that,and if a woman truly is sexy she will be sexy wearing flats! you women have issues with confidence that is a mental not a fashion problem!

Daniel wrote on 11th August 2010 at 15.01:

"Women look like they are going to fall every second wearing those"

No, some women actually can walk in them. And what heels do for the shape of body will always far outweigh any shape that often dreary flats can offer.

Xantisant wrote on 13th August 2010 at 08.06:

I'll admit that those beigey / cream ones are quite cute - i generally feel a little pukey at the thought of kitten heels. Please... No... Let's not go through this again...
I propose kitten wedges for summer trends!

eyewitness4shoes wrote on 14th August 2010 at 01.25:

If the kitten heels are on a come-back tour with the rest of the seasons 50/60s fashion flashbacks, we'll have to wait to see if everyone jumps on the bandwagon.

I have to admit, despite their low height, they have never been the most comfortable of the heel class. Wonder if they will give more balance with a more squared or rounded toe?

Celine wrote on 14th August 2010 at 03.49:

The kitten heels at Giambattista Valli aren't actually THAT bad... Perhaps an inch or two more would be perfect.

"you women have issues with confidence that is a mental not a fashion problem!" Actually no we dont have any confidence problem. The fact that we're confident enough to go out in heels and look sexy practically screams confidence! Heels elongate your legs and are absolutely gorgeous. I say whoever has the confidence to wear heels deserves a kudos from me. :> btw its no fashion problem OR mental problem. Its a fashion statement.

Purpose stated. Fashion seen. ttfn;)

lizrouse wrote on 25th August 2010 at 10.05:

OK, I'm brand new so try not to be TOO hard on me.

I love higher heels. They DO make your legs look long and they truly are sharp. Only thing: very (VERY) bad knees makes them very difficult for me to wear them, despite the fact that I DO know how to wear them and I DO know how to walk. Because of my knee problems, coming down stairs is also very difficult and I sound and look like a clod coming down on them. I have one pair of kitten heels and although they're ok-looking (just ok-looking), I don't find them comfortable at all. They're actually very awkward.

I do know how to dress. How can a person not able to wear the really fashionable shoes for physical reasons still look up to date?

Paulina wrote on 25th August 2010 at 12.30:

I've always been wearing kitten heels but it has much more to do with my height (5'11ft) than my fashion sense:) So Im glad I'll have a fashionable footwear at last;) but I do wish I was shorter to be able to wear very high heels as they look very sexy!

ky washington wrote on 26th August 2010 at 17.52:

i like kitten heels. they are chic and easy to wear. am looking forward to wearing in the fall. i don't know why everyone on here hates them. perhaps you've been wearing platforms too long?

Kathrina wrote on 28th August 2010 at 11.34:

Suki, you're the best! I totally agree with you!
And i am happy that there are finally shoes that are comfortable not only high! You ladies, who claim to be able to walk in 15 cm stilettos won't cheat me! And even if they make you look tall and slender (once again: tall and slender not sexy: as yuki aready said you're either sexy or not and no shoe will change it!), they perhaps fine for the evning but definitey not in daytime, and all the ladies who wear laboutin's to office or when going shopping make me just laugh! :-D
Running around 12 hours in high-heels??? No, thanks, i'd rather go for kitten heels!

ppp wrote on 29th August 2010 at 04.09:

I have to also confess that I absolutely hate kitten heels. It's much more difficult to walk with them than with stilettos and they do not look good in foot, they just don't!

She She wrote on 13th September 2010 at 22.35:

I wear a more stable version of the kitten heel... have never wabbled or twisted my ankle. I have a much more normal gait in kitten heels compared to the much higher sister version. Let's face it, most of the comments on here are from women much younger than me, a baby boomer...ha, just you wait gals! Watch women walk in heels...it is truly a site for funniest videos.

Grace wrote on 22nd September 2010 at 11.25:

But .... Audrey Hepburn loved them !

Kat wrote on 17th October 2010 at 11.54:

Suki, wow! thank you! i don't think i know anyone who likes wearing 7 inch heels, i mean come on - they look like clown shoes, and all the make up - war paint. less really is more! if you cannot walk in something, of course it will not make you look attractive. but if you have confidence, that is true beauty.

Vivian wrote on 19th October 2010 at 14.53:

These are just bad. They might be good as practice heels for little girls, but that is about it.

[email protected] wrote on 10th November 2010 at 13.11:

it ok i might wear them

Natalie wrote on 14th November 2010 at 14.28:

Oh, i LOVE kitten heels! They're cute, comfortable, and much sexier than flats. Plus, as someone who's tall, I love being able to wear heels and not be towerering over all my short friends!
But, despite them being a trend for 2010/2011, I'm still having a hard time finding a good selection!

Ms. Terry wrote on 18th November 2010 at 12.43:

Love, Love the kitten heel. I'm thrilled they will be on the market again. They are very cute, dressier than flats, and easier to walk in than higher heels. They give us tall women a cute shoe without sending us into the ozone layer to tower above everyone. People really do give us strange looks! And they work great in the office without looking like orthopedic or like club-wear. There's nothing sexy about women in every-day live walking in heels over 3". Their entire figure and walk is so distorted, it's not feminine or appealing. Makes me grimace to see it. Fashion experts: please don't limit us so much!

Suzette wrote on 28th November 2010 at 18.33:

Im not really a fan of kitten heels, but I do have a few cute pairs that I wear to work. I would not be caught wearing them out to a club or a a date or any formal setting where I want to impress people with my style. I agree with both Daniel and Suki on their opinions... I have seen certain girls try to walk in heels and I honestly dont think they know how bad they look! Their knees bend awkwardly, they lean forward like their head weighs 50lbs and every step they take is accompanied by a 5 inch bounce to the left or right. They look like cavewoman penguins! However, girls who do know how to walk in heels and know how to accessorize look much sexier than if they wore flats... I personally usually always wear heels (unless its snowing or I have to walk a lot) becuase I'm only 5'2".... but I've learned how to walk in them. Kitten heels are much harder to walk in than a 4 inch heel, but not as difficult as a 6 in heel... And truthfully, I've fallen or twisted my ankle more times in flats than I have in heels!

Renee wrote on 29th November 2010 at 16.00:

I dont like kitten heels myself.. But why not give it a go?
i dont give a shit about all the rubbish you lot are all fighting about kitten heels high heels or flats. Just go with your style and own it :)

Nicole wrote on 10th December 2010 at 17.01:

I recently bought one pair of high heeled shoes and one pair of kitten heel shoes for the first time(I know, laugh, I rarely wear heeled shoes with the exception of boots because 1. I am tall, and 2. I have knee problems). I tried walking in each one and the kitten heels definitely feel more comfortable. I was out in Edinburgh and saw this woman slipping all over the place and having two people help her because she was wearing high heels and everything was covered in snow and ice. Kinda had to laugh.
Impractical shoes look good in photos, but unless you are really short I don't think that high heels look that good. I like being a little shorter than men, thanks.

Hot fat chick wrote on 11th December 2010 at 14.47:

I love kitten heels. I am plus sized and stillettos hurt my kneees

Jonny wrote on 12th December 2010 at 12.49:

i think people need to be open minded. These aren't ugly, they're actually pretty cute. Except those last Missoni ones. Not too crazy.

pulchritud321 wrote on 29th December 2010 at 05.13:

I super love kitten heels!!! simple yet elegant..it depends on how you match them with your daily wear! and flare is back!! wow! lookin' forward to 2011's fashion!

lolita wrote on 30th December 2010 at 23.32:

i don`t understand the exteme dislike for kitten heels. I have found them to be very comfortable, and i have several pairs that are very cute and attractive. I do not like to be in pain when i walk and refuse to wear shoes that make my feet hurt. I am not saying that kitten heels are more comfortable than high stilletos,but the majority of the time they are. I do not understand why women would think they only look good in very high heels, I am a curvy 5"2 and have no problem with my height. If I feel like wearing high heels i wear them if i want to wear kitten heels i wear them, if i want to wear flat shoes i wear them. growing up it was always the average to short girls that the males were attracted to and not the tall girls, so I don`t understand the fasination with very tall women and people wanting to be tall. I never did and neither did my contemporaries. Maybe it is a cultural thing. I just do not get it.

Masha wrote on 8th January 2011 at 04.40:

I simply hate these heels. They much more than the high heels and they are not even good looking. I just hope they will stay on the catwalk and let the shoe stores to sell high-heel-to-die-for shoes.

miamiu wrote on 9th January 2011 at 13.18:

i think it's going to be huge fail.
and i wouldn't be caught dead wearing those.
miuicca, what were you thinking? :(

slightly stylish wrote on 11th January 2011 at 06.18:

Kitten heals are GREAT -- for all of us who choose not to be circus performers balancing on stilts (or giraffes with breasts), kitten heals provide a great opportunity to look sophisticated without the need to retool our feel like the bounded concubines of ancient china!

Diane King wrote on 13th January 2011 at 21.27:

I don't understand today's women. They seem to be afraid to be feminine. To me our biggest asset is our femininity. I say yay to kitten heels. They are comfortable and add polish to to an outfit. I have dozens.

working mommy wrote on 5th February 2011 at 21.46:

I personally am looking forward to the kitten heel. The heels these days are way too high for me to wear and be functional at work or wherever. I used to love heels until I became a mom. I want to have a cool hip current look when I go out but the high heels I just simply cannot do. I went out a few months ago and this women fell down trying to be cute in some high heels. The shoes were so high she couldn't get up. Someone had to come over and help her from off of her butt. Women stop kidding yourself.

martine wrote on 9th February 2011 at 21.44:

I can't wait. I purchase towering high heels all the time. And NEVER wear them. They SUCK to walk in. Your ankles get tired if you have to walk around even a little bit, and I am not the sort of person to be constantly sitting down. Also, I notice that huge, high heeled, platform shoes actually make legs look much shorter, because they are so big compared to the person. Maybe women FEEL sexy in high heels, but they don't look sexy in very high heels at all. Just slutty and sad. Love these kitten heels. they will be flattering, and no more sore calves.

cutie.sleepheahead wrote on 5th March 2011 at 12.21:

It looks like people making comment with kitten heels are pretty overweight , yeah! it won't really work for those people, no offense ... but, I find it wayyyyyy better than 3-4" high heels that screw up my back at the end of the day ...

Julia wrote on 21st March 2011 at 18.05:

I love them, so I really hope they'll come back. but i doubt it, since we have become used to the porno-look of the last few years.

Moira wrote on 22nd March 2011 at 02.34:

Kitten heels are FAB.
They make your calves and ankles look great, without making you look like a frail little twiglet that will blow away in the wind! Yes Frail!
High heels make you totter, make you look frail, and in need of being looked after... held up... in desperate need of support from a man. Choose the independent option, get with it and go with the kittens.
You know it makes sense.

Sally wrote on 24th March 2011 at 16.33:

If kitten heels were good enough for Audrey Hepburn, they are good enough for me.

Naomi wrote on 3rd April 2011 at 19.34:

Figures a man would be promoting "sex bomb" high heels...ever try to walk in them..for more than five minutes??!!
Kitten heels are fine with me...flats even better. Why should women be slaves to uncomfortable footwear?

Sabrina Bella wrote on 14th April 2011 at 01.07:

@Paulina
I'm 5'11 too and 16, and until recently I hated my height, but I've actually learnt to deal with it and now as of the past few months I wear heels in public and am much more confident. Probably due to recently starting modelling as well... I'm starting slow, just so that I can learn to walk in them first, so my heels aren't super high, but I recently bought a pair of really cute spring/summer heels that are about 3 to 4 inches high and I love them! Its not my fault I'm tall and I don't think I should have too refrain from wearing what I like because of it.

On another note, I actually like the kitten heels, at least some of them. Though I have to admit, I'm not a fan of pointed shoes in general, and I find them uncomfortable as well, so I'm not sure I'll go with entirely pointed...

Aris wrote on 10th June 2011 at 13.35:

Ok ladies the kitten heel? Audrey Hepburn did not wear kitten heels. They weren't that short, and well the height of them may be good they certainly don't LOOK good. If you don't like heels then don't wear them, but the kitten heels really aren't very cute unless you're over the age of 60. They look like they should be worn by older women. I have no problem with that, but not to many people are actually going to see your shoes and say 'oh my gosh! I just looove your shoes!' If anything, considering someone actually notices your shoes, will say 'those shoes are just adorable' and it won't be an ahh-dorable but an adorable like they really don't care. Just giving you some tips out there not hatin'

sex bomb is so stiletto. Sex is what people think when they see stilettos. If you want to be sexy then go for it. They lengthen your legs and yeah sometimes you pay the price to feel good, but its your decision tht YOU make

yomama wrote on 12th June 2011 at 11.23:

The kittens ARE cute, but not for me. I have really high arches and flats hurt my feet. If wedges go out of style - I'm in serious trouble. And to be perfectly honest - I was a reporter for several years so walking in them is no big deal... Now if you ever saw me run in them - that would probably impress you. I was a teacher this past year and wore tennis shoes all year. Booo!

Holl wrote on 13th June 2011 at 09.38:

I think kitten heels are an acquired taste, personally I never used to like them - like many of you state in your comments they just aren't as flattering on the legs as high heels. I'm a huge fan of the Office brand and would love to strut around in their killer heels, however, I'm a girl and 6 foot 1, so for me high heels just aren't an option. I feel that kitten heels give me the elegance of high heels but without the unwanted extra height.

Author

Written by Tania Braukämper.

Some people's wardrobes are about a small selection of pieces that all fit within one aesthetic - Tania Braukamper isn't such a person. With a wardrobe that spans three different rooms, her approach to fashion is a mixture of current-season key pieces mixed with vintage finds she's sourced on innumerous shopping trips around the world's more cultured capitals. Despite a disparate approach to shopping, Tania is adamant that the key to mixing vintage with new season is to stick to key looks and colours that work for oneself. And it's a theory that she works into her writing for Fashionising.com, where she serves as the publication's Editor.

Written 10.08.2010.