The kitten heel has long been a preferred shoe for flat footwear devotees. With all the elevating, elongating effects of a high-heel – minus the potential for ankle strain or trip hazards – they’re reliable for moments when ballet pumps or trainers won’t cut the mustard. They’re also an attractive option for those who shudder at the thought of wearing heels for prolonged periods or who have to keep blister plasters handy for their fragile feet.
Matthieu Blazy has redefined the kitten heel during his tenure at Bottega Veneta, and for spring/summer 2025, the designer debuted Cinderella-esque transparent styles that featured slanted low heels and decorative flowers. Maximilian Davis, meanwhile, delved into the Ferragamo archives to inform his new-season footwear offering, which included pointed-toe bootie mules with super-short heels, while Miuccia Prada presented an array of shoes inspired by past Prada collections. (Ms. Prada’s varnished, buckled take on the kitten-heel, debuted on her autumn/winter 2023 Miu Miu runway, were also crowned one of the top searched-for products in the last quarter of 2023.)
From mules to boots, sandals to pumps, kitten heels of every kind – angular, square, pointed – can be found on a variety of shoe styles on the market right now. Here, Vogue edits some of the best kitten heels available now.
Vogue’s pick of the best kitten heels
