Kitten Heel
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A kitten heel is a type of
stiletto heel A stiletto heel, or just stiletto, is a shoe with a long, thin, high heel. It is named after the stiletto dagger. Stiletto heels may vary in length from 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) to 25 cm (10 inches) or more if a platform s ...
that is generally less than 5 cm (2 inches) in height, featuring a slight curve that sets the heel in from the back edge of the shoe. The design offers a more comfortable and practical alternative to traditional high heels while maintaining a feminine aesthetic. The style gained prominence in the 1960s, largely due to the influence of fashion icons like
Audrey Hepburn Audrey Kathleen Hepburn ( Ruston; 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress. Recognised as a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend from the Classical Holly ...
, who helped popularize kitten heels as a fashionable yet functional choice. Kitten heels experienced a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s, thanks in part to high-profile wearers such as
Theresa May Theresa Mary May, Baroness May of Maidenhead (; ; born 1 October 1956), is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2016 to 2019. She previously served as Home Secretar ...
,
Michelle Obama Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama ( Robinson; born January 17, 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, being married to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United Stat ...
, and
Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton ( Rodham; born October 26, 1947) is an American politician, lawyer and diplomat. She was the 67th United States secretary of state in the administration of Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013, a U.S. senator represent ...
, all of whom adopted the shoe for its blend of elegance and comfort. Their versatility allows them to be worn in professional settings or for more formal occasions by those who find traditional high heels uncomfortable but still want to achieve a sophisticated look.


Definition

Kitten heels are defined by their tapered heel, typically measuring between 2.5 and 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) in height. Unlike the taller stiletto heel, which can reach up to 12.5 centimeters (5 inches), kitten heels offer a lower and more stable alternative, while still maintaining the signature slender look of high-heeled footwear.


History

Kitten heels first appeared in the late 1950s, initially designed for young adolescent girls as a more modest option compared to the taller stiletto heels. At the time, high heels were considered inappropriate for young girls, but kitten heels offered a way for them to wear fashionable shoes without compromising on practicality or modesty. These shoes were often referred to as "trainer heels" in the United States, serving as an introduction to wearing high heels. By the early 1960s, kitten heels had become a staple of women’s fashion, embraced by older teenagers and adult women alike. The style's popularity faded in the late 1960s as stiletto heels became the dominant trend in footwear. However, the resurgence of interest in retro fashion in the 1980s, coupled with the rise of wedge heels, brought kitten heels back into the fashion spotlight. In the 2000s, kitten heels made another comeback, largely driven by their appearance on the fashion runways and in popular culture. Their resurgence was fueled in part by the television series ''
Sex and the City ''Sex and the City'' is an American romantic comedy, romantic comedy-drama television series created by Darren Star for HBO, based on Sex and the City (newspaper column), the newspaper column and 1996 book by Candace Bushnell. It premiered in th ...
'', which celebrated a wide range of feminine footwear. By the 2010s, the style continued to evolve, with variations like the "kit-flop," a hybrid of flip-flops and kitten heels, becoming trendy.


Cultural significance

Kitten heels are often favored by women who require a professional yet stylish look. Despite their lower height, kitten heels are associated with femininity and elegance. Their adoption by prominent political figures, including
Theresa May Theresa Mary May, Baroness May of Maidenhead (; ; born 1 October 1956), is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2016 to 2019. She previously served as Home Secretar ...
and
Michelle Obama Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama ( Robinson; born January 17, 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, being married to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United Stat ...
, underscores their enduring appeal in settings that demand both comfort and sophistication.


See also

*
List of shoe styles This is a list of shoe styles and designs. A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration. The design of shoes has varied enormously throug ...


References


External links


Shoes vocabulary


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kitten Heel Shoes High-heeled footwear