Raise your game: how to wear the new mid-heel trend
From kittens to Cuban, a mid-level heel is the standout shoe of the season
Finally the gap between the soles of our Stan Smiths and the dizzying heights of stilettos is closing: the mid heel is having a moment. High enough to make an impact, low enough to dash for the bus in, this new footwear direction provides a perfect blend of style and practicality.
The mid-heel trend has its roots on the catwalk and stands as a reminder of the luxury world’s quiet determination to smarten up. While hooded sweats with gargantuan price tags and ‘ugly’ trainers have dominated for seasons now, a shift towards feminity – albeit in a strong, sharp-shouldered sense – is on its way back.
The mid-height heel, which is both elegant and empowering, is perhaps the most tangible example of this. It’s also the most accessible, with women from all walks able to put a mid-height heel to good use. It helps, of course, that there are a whole host of them on offer at a broad range of prices.
With autumn in mind, the most functional of the mid-heel genre is the court shoe. Incidentally, it’s also the most easy to come by. Crafted from suede with a scalloped detailing or in soft leather, courts are the shoe to invest in if you’re adding to your shoe collection this season. Highlights include AND/OR’s tiger-print kitten heels and John & Lewis Partners’ block styles.
On the matter of how to wear, this shoe works beautifully with ankle-length trousers. A neat court shoe will add instant elegance to cropped jeans or a tailored trouser suit. Something more directional, such as a heeled loafer or an angular heel, will add interest to tailored trousers worn with a blazer.
If dresses are your thing, mid heels are equally versatile provided you’re not married to your opaque tights. Tights wearers should opt for a higher hem height with low heels, while those happy to grin and bare it through the winter months may find it easier to team a longer skirt length with a mid-height heel.
When seeking the mid heel for you, don’t fear bold colourways and of-the-moment snake prints – it’s worth having fun with this style.
