For a moment there in 2020, we forgot entirely about shoes. And when we did wear shoes — to pop to the shops or lap the block — we wore only our comfiest sneakers, slides or if we couldn’t be bothered to change from our loungewear, slippers.
Now though, as we gear up for a summer of making up for lost time — enjoying sunset drinks with our friends and sitting down for boozy brunches that roll long into the evening — we’re having to get reacquainted with heels once more.
Only, after such an intensely comfortable hiatus, we’re finding we’re suddenly less tolerable of the aches and pains that come along with high heels and suffocating straps.
Thankfully, we have a solution that’s both comfortable and stylish: The kitten heel.
“Staying home, slowing down, wearing loungewear and slippers day-in-day-out was definitely a novelty at first, but we are ready to take on the world again,” Tamie Ingham, co-founder of footwear label Mara & Mine, tells The Latch.
“Kitten heels are the perfect go-to footwear of choice that instantly elevates any smart casual look, whilst also holding the comfort factor that encourages all day, everyday wear.”
Whether paired with a silk slip, relaxed jeans, a utility jumpsuit or cut-offs and a T-shirt, a pair of chic kitten heels can instantly elevate any summer look, and is practical for both day and night wear.
Here, we’re bringing you the five kitten heel styles you’ll want to wear all summer long. Oh, and did we mention they’re all currently on sale?
Mara & Mine Azeline Kitten Heel in Terracotta, $263 (down from $405)
“The Azeline silhouette has become a staple that is reimagined in every Mara & Mine collection. The easy-to-wear elegant shape adds height whilst maintaining comfort, and the raffia stitching is reminiscent of summer days spent by the beach,” says Ingham.
By Far Sonia Sandal, from The Undone, $260 (down from $520)
For a summer sandal that goes with literally everything, look no further than the Sonia silhouette from Australian label By Far. Down from $520, you’ll be scoring a great deal on these ’90s-inspired square-toed sandal with a wood-look block heel.
Mara & Mine Olympia Kitten Heel, $260 (down from $400)
Strappy and stylish, the Olympia kitten heel is the wearable stiletto every capsule wardrobe needs. Whether paired with a power suit, jumpsuit, or mini dress, your look is instantly complete once these babies are tied up.
Zara Mesh Mid-Heel Slingback Shoe, $29.95 (down from $59.95)
The smart kitten heel to level up on your lunchtime meeting or seamlessly move from Friday in the office to Friday night drinks, these slingbacks from Zara are a steal at $29.95.
Mara & Mine Theresa Heeled Sandal, $263 (down from $405)
“Powder blue is the pastel you need to invest in this season. Mara & Mine’s Theresa heeled sandals reimagines the sky-blue pastel into an elegant slip-on perfectly partnered with a summer dress, or a great option to dial-up a denim look,” Ingham says.
You can shop Mara & Mine‘s range online now.