Lisa Aiken is Net-a-Porter's fashion director and the woman responsible for our extensive wish lists and dented wallets. She is something of an oracle for the Who What Wear team in the UK; we trust her every recommendation (and attend her seasonal trend presentations without fail); we look to her wardrobe choices and unwaveringly cool NAP edit to make our own moves; and now, she's a regular columnist here on the site—hurrah! Get the latest fashion intel from her every month, starting with the unexpected shoe style that's selling like mad.
As a London girl, I was always a little hesitant about kitten heels. Until recently, they seemed so conservative, but they've had a fashion makeover, and now I am a kitten heel convert.
I found myself questioning my sceptical viewpoint after falling head-over-heels (excuse the pun) in love with Vetements’ collaboration with Manolo Blahnik in July 2016. Then a few months later, the obsession grew when I saw a pair of Prada metallic slingbacks walk in the S/S 17 show. As a cautious attempt, I trialled Sam Edelman’s leopard slingbacks with cropped denim and an anklet. From that moment on, I was hooked.
I’m always on the road, and while fashion weeks look incredibly fun and glamorous, they involve really long days and a lot of running around in the city, so it’s no surprise that kitten heels have become fashion’s favourite run-around.
And it’s not just me. Many of our customers are also buying into the trend. Sales on pumps and boots with a mid-heel are outstanding, ranging from accessibly priced styles from the likes of Dorateymur and Ganni to designer options from Miu Miu, Jimmy Choo, The Row and Balenciaga’s signature Knife mules. For autumn 2017, we sold an astonishing 5000 pairs! And kitten heels continue to be one of our best-selling styles this season.
When it comes to styling, it’s the way we Brits wear them with irony that makes them feel so relevant; pair vintage embellished styles or bright satins with jeans, skinny track pants or coloured tights. It’s all in the contrast. And if kitten heel pumps still feel one step too 9-to-5, opt for '80s-style ankle boots.
With fashion month in full swing, my next purchase will be Tibi’s white gloss boots or Tabitha Simmons’s lace-up leather ankle boots—I haven’t quite landed on which yet. Decisions, decisions…
Shop kitten heels:
These are already a street style hit.
Also available in black.
So '80s.
Ganni strikes again!
Your everyday ankle boots, but upgraded.
Have lots of evening events to attend? These are friendly on your feet.
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These are now a permanent fixture in The Row's offering.
These make the entrance for you.
Look closely and you'll see the logo of the moment.
Cerise always looks good set against denim.See you next month, readers!
