Kitten heel flip-flops, a low-rise shoe measuring around 1.5 inches, are winning over Gen Z, a generation known for favoring flats. John Lewis reports a 300% increase in sales of kitten heel toe-post shoes compared to last year, with its Rejina Pyo collection selling out quickly. Depop searches for the style have jumped 260% since April, and Vinted searches are up 209% year on year. Lyst also notes a 202% surge in demand quarter on quarter.
Celebrity and runway adoption
Trendsetters like Hailey Bieber and model Kaia Gerber have been spotted wearing kitten heel flip-flops, and the style has appeared on TikTok fit-checks. Lily Collins wore a black Manolo Blahnik pair to Wimbledon, and Love Island contestants have sported them in the villa. Luxury brands including Chloé, Bottega Veneta, and Max Mara have featured them on runways.
Why Gen Z is embracing the heel
Natalie Munro, a news writer at Who What Wear, says the appeal lies in the shoe's casual energy. “It’s still got that casual energy … so it’s not a very intimidating heel to wear,” she explains. The diminutive height, ranging from 1.5 to 2.1 inches, makes it a perfect starter heel for a generation accustomed to flats. Kitten heel flip-flops are suitable for commuting and nights out, and are heatwave-appropriate.
Shift from high heels to comfort
Caroline Young, author of Style Tribes, notes that comfort has always been important for Gen Z. “Kitten heels sit comfortably between heels and flats,” she says. Rebecca Shawcross, senior shoe curator at Northampton Museum, adds that stilettos were once power shoes, but now power lies in comfort and mobility. The trend also responds to the dominance of orthopedic, gorpcore-style shoes post-pandemic, as British Vogue shopping editor Joy Montgomery observes a “renewed craving for glamour.”
Potential gateway to higher heels
Shawcross points out that kitten heels have historically been transitional, popular in the 1780-90s as a shift from high heels to flats. Munro believes the current trend could signal a move back to high heels, with wedges already making a comeback. “It could be an indication that we’re starting to move back into a high-heel era again,” she says.
