Kitten heels: the return of the iconic shoes of the 50s
TELLING ABOUT TRENDS FROM PODIUM which can be adapted for your wardrobe for the next six months. This season, as a healthy alternative to massive platforms and figured heels, elegant cat-heel pumps, which we already mentioned in the trends and our selection with the best shoes of the season, were made. Let us finally try to find out what is the secret of the popularity of low-heeled glass and what kind of clothes to wear them this summer.
How it all began
Since the Middle Ages, heeled shoes signified the social status and financial capabilities of the owner - both for women and men. According to Megan Wirtanen, a fashion historian and a teacher at St. Petersburg State University, the shape and height of the heel changed several times, and the heels themselves came into fashion, then went out of it. For example, after the Great French Revolution, heeled shoes in Europe became associated with the “old regime”, so flat shoes turned out to be the most fashionable, and this trend lasted for several decades. In the second half of the XIX century, high heels returned and remained in vogue until now. Up to the 1950s, the most common height was 4–5 centimeters.
In 1953, Roger Vivier created the first studs in history for the coronation of Elizabeth II, and the whole world embraced fashion for a high thin heel. Almost all Hollywood divas from Marilyn Monroe to Jane Russell wore high-heeled shoes. However, the constant wearing of such shoes required a certain skill. It is believed that kitten heels, or "kitten heels," were invented as "training" shoes for young girls, so that they are accustomed to walking on thin unstable heels.
The actress Audrey Hepburn popularized this particular model. It was she who began to appear regularly on the screens in shoes on a small heel-glass - first in Sabrina, then in Funny Face and in Tiffany's Breakfast, and this practical trend found many followers. It was these heels, by the way, that Jackie Kennedy preferred - and this detail of her style subsequently influenced the choice of the following first ladies and those close to the heads of state. Although Princess Diana seemed to have her own motives — tall (about 178 cm); Obviously, at important events and photographs, she did not want to be above her spouse Charles.
How back in mody
Miniature kitten heels again came to the attention field at the turn of the millennia - approximately in 2000, however in 2005 they were again actually driven out by pins. They spoke loudly about their return by the beginning of the tenths and linked this tendency with the choice of Michelle Obama. The first lady of the United States wore cat-heel shoes both at official events, such as the inauguration of the president, and in everyday life.
In that season, miniature heels could be found in the collections of Prada, Giambattista Valli and even Christian Louboutin. The first ex-lady of the French Republic, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, also had tender feelings for them. Today, such boats can be seen on the feet of British Prime Minister Theresa May. They also prefer the chief editor of French Vogue Emmanuel Alt, who skillfully combines her shoes with skinny jeans or trousers pipes, Kate Moss, combining kitten heels with velor pantsuit, and Ashley Olsen, appearing at important events in mules with heels, glasses, and dresses midi or pants free cut.
This season, "cat" heels can be found in the vast majority of designers. The harbingers of kitten heels could be called shoes with small steady heels, which for several seasons in a row could be found both at Zara and at small independent brands like Maryam Nassir Zadeh, which made them the main hits of their brands.
In the spring-summer collection, kitten heels could be seen in the collections of the overwhelming number of brands - from Céline to Jason Wu. British designer Tabitha Simmons also added sparkling low-heeled shoes to her spring-summer collection. Naturally, the mass market does not remain aloof from the big shoe trend: kit & heels in all its diversity already has H & M, Zara and Topshop.
What to wear them with
Despite the fact that kitten heels, because of their convenience, employees of offices and female politicians are still often chosen by now, these shoes have long ceased to be associated exclusively with the business style. Many people combine them with trousers with a length of ¾ and shortened flared jeans, which is equally appropriate at work and at a party.
Kitten heels coexist remarkably with any dresses. If you do not like the deliberate theatricality, carefully combine such shoes with a maxi length (it assumes either a high stable platform or flat shoes) and a 60s-style A-silhouette with a large print. Notice how the laconic kitten heels are beaten into the Christian Dior collection, combining them with almost everything in the world - from spacious coats to ultramini leathers.
Particularly relevant kitten heels with an open heel or in the form of open sandals. Do not be afraid to wear them with tights: at the Givenchy show they were shown with tight socks, and Céline - with nylon golf. The more strange your kitten heels look, the better that Prada, for example, proves, suggesting this season a model that combines a small heel and a wide sole, reminiscent of orthopedic shoes. Closer to the fall, you can look at similar shoes - at the Loewe show, they were combined with midi dresses and skirts.
Photo: Zara, Paramount Pictures, Faustine Steinmetz, KM20, Phillip Lim, Nina Ricci
