Feline good: why kitten heel flip-flops are winning over flats-only gen Z
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- Kitten heel flip-flops are gaining popularity among Gen Z, who previously favored flat shoes.
- These shoes, featuring a low heel of about 1.5 inches, offer a blend of casual style and subtle elevation.
- Major fashion brands and retailers report significant increases in demand and sales for this footwear trend.
Gen Z, a generation known for its strong preference for flat footwear, is now embracing heels, albeit a modest kitten heel. This cohort, born between 1997 and 2012, had famously rejected the high-heel obsession of millennials, opting instead for styles like Adidas Sambas, Margiela Tabi shoes, and ballet flats. However, they appear to be adopting the kitten heel flip-flop as a potential entry point into wearing heels.
It’s still got that casual energy … so it’s not a very intimidating heel to wear.
The kitten heel flip-flop, typically measuring around 1.5 inches high, has been spotted on trendsetters like Hailey Bieber and Kaia Gerber. It has also become a staple in TikTok 'fit-checks' and a popular street-style choice for channeling a 90s aesthetic. Celebrities have sported them at high-profile events, including at Wimbledon and within the Love Island villa. Lily Collins, for instance, wore a pair of Manolo Blahnik kitten heel flip-flops to the Wimbledon men's final.
In a lot of instances, it’s an appropriate shoe to wear to work and then into the evening as well.
Retailers are seeing a surge in demand. John Lewis reported a 300% increase in sales of kitten heel toe-post shoes compared to the previous year, with a specific £109 thong sandal from their Rejina Pyo collection selling out quickly. Luxury brands such as Chloé, Bottega Veneta, and Max Mara have featured similar styles on their runways. Online resale platforms also show significant growth: searches for kitten heel flip-flops on Depop have jumped 260% since April, and Vinted has seen a 209% year-on-year increase. Fashion search platform Lyst noted a 202% rise in demand quarter on quarter.
It’s obviously very heatwave appropriate.
Fashion writer Natalie Munro explains the appeal lies in the shoe's ability to feel less intimidating than traditional heels. "It's still got that casual energy... so it's not a very intimidating heel to wear," she stated. The low height, often between 1.5 and 2.1 inches from brands like Toteme, Miu Miu, Zara, and Vivaia, offers a minimal lift suitable for those new to heels. Munro also highlighted the shoe's versatility, noting its appropriateness for both work commutes and evening outings, as well as its suitability for warm weather. This contrasts with the high-heeled styles common in the 2000s, which millennials frequently wore for various occasions.
Millennials were always out in heels. For the office, for the club – they were such a go-to shoe.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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