We’ve been trudging around in flip-flops during lockdown and teetering in the highest heels as part of the revenge shopping and post-pandemic eventwear trend. But now? It seems shoppers have found a more comfortable middle ground, as research from Kurt Geiger has revealed that mid-heels are now the nation’s favourite shoe style.
Sales of mid-heels have increased 127 percent over the past 12 months at the retailer, and while super-high heels made up nearly 50 percent of Kurt Geiger’s sales in 2014, they now account for just 17 percent — this has truly been the decade of the high heel’s decline. Stilettos and platforms have been relegated to special-occasion footwear. Come 2024, these “taxi shoes” look set to rarely leave the closet.
At a manageable two-inch height, it’s clear that mid-heels strike the perfect balance between comfort and elegance. Flats are excellent everyday options, with the Mary-Jane taking on the mesh flat for the crown of trendiest style of 2024, but when it comes to occasion, women seem far less inclined to sacrifice their soles for style. Comfort is queen.
Net-a-Porter has described our preference for comfortable clothing as part of a broader trend called the “casualisation of fashion”, which is clearly visible in the spring/summer 2024 collections. We no longer want to suffer to be stylish and actually have physiological reasons for this choice of footwear.
Many people’s feet have widened due to lockdown. After being able to walk around barefoot, our bones spread out because they weren’t confined to shoes all day. Now, it’s a big step to cram wider feet into narrower heels and stilettos. Instead, mid-heels offer a flattering element of elevation, while still avoiding the burning sensation on the balls of our feet that comes with most stiletto heels.
Stylist Jemma Cotterrell is a fan of the mid-heel. “I particularly like a block mid-heel because it gives you more surface area on the heel, which helps you balance and walk without wobbling,” she reflects. Cotterrell’s personal styling clients also appreciate the comfort of a lower heel. “My clients definitely choose a mid-heel over a stiletto. Nobody really wants to walk in stilettos and they don’t do your shin muscles any favors, which puts a lot of strain on them.”
If you’re also looking for the best value for money on a new shoe, then the mid-heel could be the best value for money. While flashy stilettos may not be suitable for school and supermarket runs, and practical flats may not be suitable for after dark, mid-heels are a wiser buy. Cotterrell advises that “mid-heels are suitable for day and night, so are much more versatile.”
At Kurt Geiger, creative and operations director Rebecca Farrar-Hockley believes it’s the multiple styling options that have made their Belgravia mid-heel (a mere 2.5 inches) a best-seller. “A perennial hero style, the Belgravia is the highest-grossing heel in our heel category. Incredibly versatile and wearable, it’s easy to see why it continues to dominate,” she explains.
It’s clear that pain-free is one reason for the mid-heel’s resurgence, but high fashion has also reflected our preference for more practical footwear. For spring/summer collections, Christian Dior, Fendi and Valentino all showed off mid-heels on the runway (to a degree of relief from models, presumably, after seasons of super-high heels). The trend has continued into fall, with further runway appearances at Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Chloe.
Even the brands most synonymous with stilettos are diversifying. Tina Lamb, buying manager for footwear and accessories at Harvey Nichols, says: “We have significantly expanded our mid-heel offering across a number of brands and price points in response to customer demand. Brands such as Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin, all known for their fabulous high heels, have all delivered their own interpretations of the mid-heel trend, which we are seeing a great response to.”
Part of Gen Z’s obsession with all things millennial, kitten heels in particular haven’t had a moment like this since the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The petite heel style is back in style, especially when you wear them with pedal pushers. Be warned, though: Even a teeny-tiny one-inch kitten heel with skinny straps or a dangerously pointed toe can make these pint-sized heels just as painful to wear as their taller cousins.
Instead, look for a block heel and a square or almond toe. These details will give you more stability And room for your feet to spread out. Super high heels often require a pair of flats in your bag to swap into, but mid-height heels can be worn all day, giving you the boon of being able to travel light (and save your back and feet!).
Finding a pair of mid-heels with extra padding under the ball of your foot will also be a balm. Marks & Spencer has nailed the trend with their glossy burgundy loafer-style slingbacks, but combined with foam padding and their patented Insolia technology, which is designed to stabilise the ankle and redistribute weight from the ball of the foot, they’re absolutely heavenly.
Patent leather block heels, £55, Brands & Spencer; Heel Height: 1.7 inches
Lamb predicts that “leopard, silver, patent and warm tones will be popular” for mid-height heels as we head into the new season. “For autumn/winter, we are confident that mid-height heels will continue to gain popularity, especially given the recent trend and the fact that they are once again considered wardrobe classics.”
Mary-Jane shoes medium size, £32, Asos; Heel Height: 1.9 inches
Babies Patent Leather, £160, Seeds; Heel Height: 2in
And as basics, they work for any occasion. Try them with wide, high-waisted jeans and a cropped, collarless tweed jacket for a leg-lengthening casual look, or with pinstripe pleated trousers that just clear the floor for the office. Mid-heels can They can come across as a little prissy with floral dresses or anything too girly, so try adding a little spice to their natural elegance with tomboy-inspired tailoring or cargo pants. Both elements add an unexpected twist that will ensure your mid heels prove their versatility, comfort and style for seasons to come.
The chicest and most comfortable mid-height heels to try now:
Belgravia bow heels, £189, Kurt Geiger; Heel Height: 2.5 inches
Tweed Mary-Jane pumps, £730, Gianvito Rossi at Net-a-Porter; Heel Height: 2in
Mid-heel pumps, £65, Geox; Heel Height: 2.6 inches
Patent leather pumps, £290, Aeyde at Harvey Nichols: Heel Height: 1in
Mary Jane mesh and patent leather pumps, £675, Jimmy Choo at Harvey Nichols; Heel Height: 1.5 inches