The anti uber-heel trend is gaining pace. Initiated by MObama, it has polarised designers and high street. Kurt Geiger insists there is still mileage in Jenga-style platform shoes yet Rupert Sanderson does a roaring trade in kitten heels - he just doesn't broadcast the fact.
Now, US Vogue stylist (and ex-Jefferson Hack squeeze), Tabitha Simmons has designed a range of shoes and suggested a high-heel about-turn - she claims the Sabrina heeled pump looks right again. What say we?
I have to admit that I'm all for it. As much as I love the lift of a sexy four-incher, they're just not practical for daily life. For those who say that short heels are frumpy, I say look again. It's been a good decade since mid-heels were fashionable and in that time we have had all sorts of new ways to wear things. Surely there must be a combination of clothes that can look 'right' with a smaller heel?
For starters, the kitten heel coincides with the vogue for ankle-skimming trouser-lengths, whether that be crop skinny jeans or a 7/8th chino. How much more refreshing to see a kitten heel teamed with those than another pair of ballet pumps or gladiators. I wouldn't personally pair them with leggings but there's probably someone out there who could pull them off. In fact, a stirrup legging is a close relation to the ski pant and let's not forget that ski-pants (ugh, I can't believe I'm even typing those words) and kitten heels went hand in hand in the beatnik sixties.
A kitten heel also lends itself beautifully to an early 90s revivalist look - I'm thinking Kirsty Hume in Calvin Klein shift, school-girl coat and messy chignon. I'm determined to have a play with this one and have already fished out my little black Charles Jourdans from the depths of the wardrobe. All I need now is Guido on speed dial...
