I have a confession: I’ve resisted the kitten heel trend because they remind me of my grandmother. Don’t get me wrong, I love my grandma, but these shoes just seemed. . . outdated. However, the kitten heel trend has proven its staying power, and now the silhouette can be considered a certified classic. I finally gave in and bought my first pair of low riders, and let me tell you, I was missing out.
Kitten heels are easy to walk in, effortlessly elegant and quickly tie together just about any look. I’m now stocking up on the following styles to create a well-rounded kitten heel collection — and I recommend you do the same. Ahead, shop my favorite styles, from Amazon, DSW, Zappos and more.
15 Pairs of Classic Kitten Heels
1. Updated Classic: You’ll forget that kitten heels were ever considered grandma shoes once you feast your eyes on these sleek, suede, pointy-toe slingbacks.
2. Walk on the Wild Side: Put some personality and pep in your step with some fierce leopard print kitten heels. They’re a low-stakes way to incorporate the animal print trend into your wardrobe.
3. Moon Walker: Your fashion sense is out of this world — but only when you wear these silver metallic kitten heels, which remind me of shooting stars.
4. Upgrade Your Flats: If ballet flats feel a little juvenile (sometimes you need a touch of height!), Time and Tru’s dainty kitten heels give off a similar vibe, but seem more sophisticated
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5. Summer’s Calling: Kitten heel sandals are the easy, breezy summer shoe that takes any outfit from the beach to the happy hour bar. While there are plenty to choose from, this simple black pair is a fan-favorite.
6. Super Strappy: Shoe straps not only add extra interest — they also keep your feet secure as you go about your day. With all the straps on Sam Edelman’s slingback design, you could easily run a mile without them slipping off.
7. Pop of Color: Shoes are my favorite way to incorporate color into my outfit, and these pretty dress sandals are a great place to start. They come in an array of colors, including butter yellow, red patent leather and spunky cow print.
8. Best of Both Worlds: What do you get when you mix the mesh footwear trend with kitten heels? Perhaps this Franco Sarto style, which is definitely in the running for the chicest summer shoe of all time.
9. Old Reliable: Everyone needs a trusty pair of nude heels. Keep things simple — and stylish — with Anne Klein’s nude patent style, which is not only fashionable, but also incredibly comfortable.
10. Through the Decades: There’s a high chance your grandma did, in fact, own a pair of kitten heels that resembled this 1940s-inspired Mary Jane silhouette. You can tell everyone you found them thrift shopping.
11. So Professional: If traditional loafers are too bulky for your liking, explore the silhouette in kitten heel form by adding this polished, work-appropriate design to cart.
12. Worth the Splurge: Complete with the instantly-recognizable checkered print design, Burberry’s contemporary kitten heels are ones you’ll never forget — and always cherish.
13. Get ‘Em While You Can: Quince’s Italian Leather Kitten Heels constantly sell out, so you should grab the timeless style while they’re in stock!
14. Early 2000s Coded: If Carrie Bradshaw shopped at Amazon (and not Manolo Blahnik), she’d 100% wear these buckled kitten heels.
15. Plain and Simple: Why complicate things? Sometimes all you need is a fresh pair of white kitten heels. These will become your warm-weather staple.
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