Sorry, Flats—These Anti-Trend Heels Are Every French Woman's Quiet Go-To for a Night Out in Paris
We talk a lot about French women and their ballet flats, but the shoes they wear out at night don't get quite as much airtime. No, they don't have a cute rounded toe with a bow on top, but they are just as classic as any pair of ballet flats, and they're guaranteed to do the job every single time you need something a touch more formal on your feet. I'm talking about black heels—the kind with an elegant pointed toe and long stiletto heel—and every French woman has a pair that she quietly swears by for parties, events, dinners, and more in Paris and beyond.
WHO: Camille Rowe
Don't believe me? Just see French American model Camille Rowe's look for the Bal d'Été at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, a black-tie gala hosted by Sofia Coppola during Haute Couture Week. Rowe, who's been dishing French-girl fashion inspiration for years, attended the event wearing a champagne-colored long-sleeve gown made of sheer silk organza that featured allover beaded embroidery. She carried a tiny silk handbag and black scarf, finishing off the ensemble with a pair of timeless black patent-leather pumps.
What's great about this footwear style is that it's not groundbreaking. Not everything has to be as controversial as jelly shoes or PVC wedges. You can—and should!—just have a beautiful pair of hardworking shoes. Clearly, French women appreciate them. If you do too, keep scrolling. Shop the best black pumps of 2025 below.
Shop classic black heels:
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joinedBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
-
FYI: If You Wear This Dated Sneaker Trend in Fall 2025, Make Sure It's With Baggy Jeans
Because Gwyneth Paltrow says so.
-
Stylish Women All Over Milan Are Suddenly Swapping Out Their Classic Pumps for This "Dated" Shoe Trend
Spotted on Shailene Woodley.
-
This Is the NYC Way to Wear the Anti-Trend Jeans Color French Women Are Obsessed With
As seen on NYC It girl Irina Shayk.
-
Yes, Fashion People Are Still Wearing Leggings, But Only This Specific Style (and Not With Sneakers)
The comfy-chic pairing we spot on every L.A. and New York It girl.
-
Not Black, Not White: The Very 2025 Sneaker Color Trend Fashion People Are Wearing to the Airport RN
Spotted on Emily Ratajkowski at JFK airport.
-
Breaking: Meghan Markle Just Endorsed Wearing Navy With This Über Rich Shoe Color (It's Not Black or White)
Both her halter dress and classic heels are still available.
-
Not Ballet Flats, Not Loafers—Amelia Gray Just Wore the Flat-Shoe Trend in Italy That's Everywhere This Fall
Spotted at Milan Fashion Week.
-
Yes, Ballet Flats Look Good With Skirts, But They Look Even Better As Part of This Parisian-Approved Combo
Very '90s.