Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Statement Jackets
    • Halloween Nails
    • 'You Can See Everything'
    • London-Girl Style
    • Beauty Advent Calendars
    1. Fashion

    You Need a Kitten Heel In Your Closet

    Check out these purrr-dy styles to buy now.

    Katie Attardo's avatar
    By Katie Attardo
    Published 7 December 2020 In Buying Guides

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    kitten heel
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Welcome to The Essentials, our weekly series highlighting a must-have classic, key to building a timeless, pulled-together closet.

    This season, brands like Miu Miu, Prada, and Valentino took a break from the towering heels of the past and opted for something more modest: The kitten heel. Originally put on the map in the '50s, kitten heels flaunt a heel that's usually only around two inches. The low heel offers a practical but stylish (and foot-friendly) alternative to the classic heel.

    Off the runway, kitten heel inspiration is everywhere. From Marilyn Monroe to Carrie Bradshaw to Naomi Campbell, there's plenty of style inspo for those in need. Looking for tips? Pair an open toe kitten-heel with a floral dress for a breezy take. Add a pointed-toe version to cropped jeans, or a bootie to a mid-length dress. Kitten heels are both feminine and retro, but more importantly, versatile—you'll have them in your wardrobe for years to come. Perfect for work, evening, and anywhere in between, here are some of the best options to choose from right now.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    kitten heel

    1. Sam Edelman - Judy Strappy Heel
    $43.95 AT SAMEDELMAN.COM

    Try this metallic strappy pair from Sam Edelman for a sophisticated evening look.

    kitten heel

    2. Kwaidan Editions - Pink Special Pointy Toe Kitten Heels
    $372.00 AT SSENSE.COM

    Looking to try some patten play? Pair this lilac floral style with a floral dress with a different pattern for a contrasting look.

    kitten heel

    3. Charles & Keith - Slingback Kitten Heels
    $33.00 AT CHARLESKEITH.COM

    This black kitten-heel slingback is a wardrobe staple.

    kitten heel

    4. Mara & Mine - Azeline Kitten Heel Sandals
    $93.00 AT SHOPBOP.COM

    This knotted style will be perfect for summer 2021.

    kitten heel

    5. 8 by YOOX - 8 by YOOX Pump
    $210.00 AT YOOX.COM

    The ankle tie on these satin pumps gives them a sophisticated flare.

    kitten heel

    6. MM6 Maison Margiela - Metallic-Sheen Slingback Pumps
    $318.00 AT FARFETCH.COM

    Pair these kitten heels from MM6 with a cigarette pant for a tailored look.

    kitten heel

    7. Marciano - Strappy Faux-Croc Kitten Heel
    $119.00 AT GUESS.COM

    Pair with a white dress for a breezy vacation look.

    kitten heel

    8. Titi Adesa - S’oke Gold 70
    $495.00 AT TITIADESA.COM

    Cleopatra wishes.

    kitten heel

    9. Proenza Schouler - Tie-Fastened Kitten Heel Mules
    $715.00 AT FARFETCH.COM

    This cream pair from Proenza Schouler is perfect for the gal with a 9 to 5.

    kitten heel

    10. find. - Women's Tie Up Sandal
    $51.10 AT AMAZON.COM

    Pair with an LBD and voila!

    kitten heel

    11. Stuad - Blue Nappa Gita Heeled Sandals
    $143.00 AT SSENSE.COM

    This strappy baby blue pair will give your look an added pop of color.

    Explore More
    Accessories shoes
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Katie Attardo
    Katie Attardo
    Social Links Navigation

    Katie Attardo is the Accessories Editor at Marie Claire, covering all things fashion and jewelry-related.

    Read more
    two-tone heels on Chanel's Fall 2026 runway
    Fashion There’s No Debate—Two-Tone Heels Are Fall's Prettiest Shoe Trend From Chanel's runway to Dua Lipa’s closet, this bold style is everywhere.
    By Lauren Tappan
    collage of French girls wearing ballet flats and Mary Janes at Paris Fashion Week
    Fall fashion French Girls Are Debuting the Best Ballet Flats at Paris Fashion Week
    By Meguire Hennes
     
     
    Zoë Kravitz films her new rom-com Die Alive in the high-vamp heels trend
    Celebrity Style The High-Vamp Heels Trend Is the Main Character of Zoë Kravitz's New Rom-Com
    By Meguire Hennes
    Gigi Hadid wore the mesh Mary Janes trend for fall after the Miu Miu show at Paris Fashion Week
    Celebrity Style Yes, You Can Wear Mesh Flats in Fall—Just Style Them Like Gigi Hadid in Paris
    By Meguire Hennes
     
     
    Latest in Fashion
    Hailey Bieber traded her tired black trench for a cobalt blue coat, a burgundy Chanel bag, and patent leather slippers.
    Celebrity Style Hailey Bieber's Cobalt Blue Coat Is the Dopamine Hit My Winter Wardrobe Needs
    H&M model wearing a suede blazer
    Fall fashion 30 Fall and Winter Finds I'd Actually Buy With a $350 Budget
     
     
    Zoë Kravitz wore Adidas Samba sneakers on the set of Die Alive in New York City
    Celebrity Style Zoë Kravitz's $100 Adidas Sambas Prove Her 'Die Alive' Character Is a Sneakerhead
    collage of celebrities wearing French girl trends for Fall Winter 2026
    Celebrity Style These Casually Cool French Girl Trends Are Charming Celebrities Far Beyond Paris
     
     
    Latest in Buying Guides
    H&M model wearing a suede blazer
    Fall fashion 30 Fall and Winter Finds I'd Actually Buy With a $350 Budget
    A woman wearing a slicked back bun next to 3 beauty products in front of a macro shot of soap as a background.
    Wellness I’d Like a Wellness Retreat, But These Under-$50 Amazon Finds Will Do for Now
     
     
    a makeup bag for your sister in law filled with beauty gifts on a green and blue background
    Beauty I Have a Foolproof Holiday Gift List for Your Boyfriend's Sister
    Zara new studio collection campaign featuring models wearing ornate winter fashion
    Winter Fashion Zara's New Studio Collection Is Overflowing With Occasion-Worthy Fashion Finds
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.