The legendary uber stylist Grace Coddington once remarked that it’s “all about hair and shoes”. There is no question that shoes are the punctuation mark for getting the proportion right. And sometimes, a quintessentially pointy toe is just the perfect thing to do the trick. But when it’s attached to a stiletto heel, the result can be aggressively sexy. If that’s what you are going for, fine! If you prefer something chicer and more elegant, and you don’t want to be tortured by uncomfortable shoes, a better option would be pointy-toed pancake flats and kitten heels which easily transition from day to evening. They also have the added benefit of elongating the foot and leg.
Fortunately, the market abounds with great choices including a number of Balenciaga’s iterations which come in a variety of materials and fall-perfect patterns. It should not be surprising that Demna Gvasalia’s are the most dramatic, given that he is the “King of Extreme” and has endorsed extremely pointy-toed shoes and boots since taking over the creative helm of the iconic label. He has even appropriately used the word ‘Knife’ in their description. OUCH!
These are 10 of my favorites (click images for full-size views):
Balenciaga cream and black Knife checked pointy-toed BB slingbacks, $1050. More info/purchase
Balenciaga leopard printed BB pointy-toed slingbacks, $1050. More info.purchase
Balenciaga black and white tweed pointy toe half d’Orsay kitten heel pump, $1190. More info/purchase
Balenciaga BB black and cream wool checked kitten heel ankle boot, $1450. More info/purchase
Balenciaga hot pink satin Knife Bow slingback mules, $795. More info/purchase
Leave it to Zara to get into the act with their black and white tweed ballet flat which bears somewhat of a resemblance to Balenciaga, $45.90. More info/purchase
Proenza Schouler eyelet-embellished black and white leather and suede point-toe flats, $770, More info/purchase
Malone Souliers Maureen metallic leather-trimmed satin point-toe flats, $583. More info/purchase
Because I love the timelessness of menswear and I adore oxfords and brogues, one of my personal favorites are these black and white Michael Kors Mullens Spazzaloto leather oxfords. With their modern, sleek lines, and exaggeratedly tapered toe, they are a perfect mix of masculine and feminine, $695. More info/purchase
Roger Vivier crystal embellished striped satin point-toe flat, $1650. More info/purchase
The best quote regarding flats was made by Roger Vivier’s brand ambassador, Ines de la Fressange in her book “Parisian Chic: A Style Guide Guide”. Yes, at 6 feet tall she towers over everyone in her stocking feet never really needing a high heel, but I still agree with her observation:
“Many women think they look better in heels but this is quite wrong. Just ask any man. No man would ever say, “I’d love you more if you were four inches taller!” Nothing looks worse than a girl tottering around on unmanageable heels! So she wants to look sexy? The key to sex appeal is a feline walk, not a precarious wobble.”
Meanwhile, a picture of Madonna wearing pointy-toed mules arriving at Newark Airport appeared in Wednesday’s New York Post:
She was so eclectically dressed, she looked as though she could have walked in a Gucci show, but my takeaway was that it is unfortunately what happens when you take the runways too literally lol!
– Marilyn Kirschner
