So Long, High Heels—These Are the Party Shoes Every Fashion Person Wants Now

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(Image credit: @styleidealist)

I have a pretty big thing for shoes. A fashion editor who loves shoes? Go figure! But out of all the items you can decorate your wardrobe with, shoes are the piece that I find the hardest to resist. Sizing is seldom an issue with shoes, and 11 years into my career, I’m still impressed by how the simple switch of footwear can completely reimagine an outfit. As such, I’m always open to adding new styles to my wardrobe. The pair I currently have my eye on? Gucci’s incredibly popular crystal, kitten-heel slingbacks. Is your interest piqued? It should be.

I first saw Gucci’s crystal slingbacks last winter—its GG logo applied delicately to mesh in teeny rhinestones. Although they’re the perfect low-heel shoes for parties and weddings, at the time, my social calendar didn’t call for them. So I archived the shoes in the back of my mind, waiting for the opportunity to invest in them. Then Dakota Johnson wore them.

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(Image credit: Backgrid)

Dakota Johnson wore the Gucci shoes I’ve had my eye on for months. 

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Recently, Dua Lipa has been spotted in the pair. I love how she's used them to dress up a simple jeans and blazer look.

Anything that Johnson wears I ultimately want to wear, and seeing her in the Gucci crystal slingbacks cemented things for me. I needed these (and her sharp suit, for that matter) in my life. If that wasn’t enough, It girl Alexa Chung and global superstar Dua Lipa have also given the shoes their coveted seal of approval, too—along with a host of other best-dressed stars and influencers alike. 

Although I used to wear high heels a lot, these days the idea of hobbling around in anything above 10 centimetres doesn’t appeal to me (or apparently the rest of the fashion world) anymore. Instead, the low height on these fabulous Gucci shoes brings me joy.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Alexa Chung wears Gucci’s crystal slingback shoes with a fluffy coat and top-handle bag. 

Ordinarily, I don’t wear a lot of sparkle, but I’m willing to make an exception for these shoes. Plus, I know they’ll look just as good with jeans and T-shirts as they will with my collection of dresses and skirts. (Just look at Emna Sellimi's iridescent video below for the kind of influencer styling inspo that makes me want to rush out and buy a pair right now). But, putting Gucci to one side, slingbacks are trending in their own right this season. As shoes commonly worn by French women, they’re intrinsically chic but less formal than full-coverage courts.

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(Image credit: @threadsstyling)

Not a fan of the mesh fabrication? Try this alternative. 

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly talked myself into investing in a pair of Gucci’s crystal slingback shoes, and just in time for party season no less. Scroll on to see the slingbacks for yourself, and browse other beautiful shoes Gucci has created of late.

SHOP GUCCI'S CRYSTAL SLINGBACK SHOES

SHOP MORE GUCCI SLINGBACKS

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Next Up: Trust Me, I Know Good Shoes–These Party-Ready Pairs Are Everything

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.