There’s no question this spring: Slingback heels are the event shoe of the season. Recently spotted on everyone from Kate Middleton to Gigi Hadid, the strappy style is sexier and more unique than the classic pump. And as footwear swings in a more formal direction—we’re still seeing street style dominated by ballet flats and slim loafers—it only makes sense that our heels would get a little more glam too.
Popularized in the 1950s by designers like Coco Chanel and Salvatore Ferragamo, slingback heels are basically the halter tops of shoes. They show a little more skin in the back, lending to their seductive, playful image. And while slingbacks have been on the rise for a few seasons, we saw so many of them during 2024 Fashion Week that there’s no going back—they’re a spring fashion trend that we’ll be wearing well into the future.
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The best slingback heels for 2024
Rejoice: Slingback heels come in every height imaginable. For the height-averse, kitten heels and slingback loafers are your perfect entry point to the style. For those of us heading to black-tie ceremonies, backless high-heels look great with spring wedding guest dresses. And for anyone who can’t do stilettos—we understand—there are plenty of block-heel options to choose from. Let’s get into it.
Simple slingback heels
Dip your toes (or heels) into the trend with these relatively understated pairs. These Sam Edelman and Zara styles work perfectly for spring weddings; the former is available in nearly every color, while the latter looks like a pair Prada recently sent down the runway. If flats are more your style—some of us need to walk all day—pick up some comfy loafers or ballerinas instead.
Sam Edelman Bianka Slingback Pumps
Zara Embellished Heeled Slingbacks
Dolce Vita Hardi Loafers
H&M Pointed Slingbacks
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Embellished slingback heels
Ready to commit to multiple trends at once? Pick up a strappy pair; Jeffrey Campbell’s take is fitted with buckles and comes in popular colors like silver and cherry, while Reformation’s option is the only bow accessory you need this spring. Two other of-the-moment details—studs and cap toes—are available from Alohas and J.Crew, respectively.
Jeffrey Campbell Lash Sandals
Reformation Noreen Slingback Pumps
Alohas Lindy Pumps
J.Crew Layne Cap-Toe Heels
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Designer slingback heels
Again, while slingbacks are trendy right now, they’re also timeless—so you might as well invest in a pair you’ll want to keep wearing well into the future. We love these high-end picks, which range from Vince’s angular flats to 3.1 Phillip Lim’s sculptural heels. Kate Spade and Tory Burch are also killing the game; we haven’t stopped thinking about those butter yellow flats since they walked down the runway last year.
Vince Venice Leather Slingback Flats
Kate Spade Veronica Slingback Flats
Tory Burch Pierced Slingbacks
3.1 Phillip Lim Slingback Sandals
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How to style slingback heels
The good news is that in this case, buying into the trend won’t make you look like a fashion victim. Slingback heels may have come and gone throughout the decades, but they’ve always looked sleek—and they’re so easy to style for 2024. The beauty of slingbacks is that they elevate casual outfits and add an edge to dressy ensembles, making you look in-the-know (and, let’s be honest, downright sultry) in the process.
Instead of adapting your style to fit the shoes, just incorporate them into your current lineup of formalwear and going-out ’fits. Heading to the office or a nice meal? Pair your slingbacks with a wrap dress or a cardigan and a leather skirt. Grabbing brunch with friends? Go a little weirder (in a good way!) with a trench coat, a slip dress, and white crew socks layered under your heels. Enjoying date night or an evening out with the girls? Wear a slinky LBD, a designer bag, and strappy slingbacks.
Just don’t overthink it—you can style slingback heels with jeans, trousers, denim skirts, and even, if you really feel like going for it, running shorts. (Seriously; just wear them with an oversized button-down, statement earrings, socks, and the trendy heels.) There’s no wrong answer, so don’t be afraid to get creative now that it’s warm enough to wear them.
