The "Ugly" Shoe Trend Everyone Will Wear at New York Fashion Week

Kitten heels have to be one of the most hotly debated items in fashion history. Are they cool, yes or no? It’s one of life's eternal questions, and we sit on the ‘cool’ side of the fence. Traditionally defined as a stiletto ranging from 3cm to 4.5cm, the kitten heel is often accused of being an ‘unflattering’ shoe choice as it doesn’t technically do what most heels do, which is lengthen your leg. What it does do though, is give you the opportunity to play with something new—and isn’t that what fashion is all about?
We’re days away from New York Fashion Week, and we’re predicting shoes with this heel height will rule the streets. Leandra Medine helped kickstart the resurgence during last season’s shows, and since then we’ve spotted the widely disliked heels everywhere (proof below), leading us to think that maybe they actually aren’t as ‘widely disliked’ as they once were? Especially since designers such as Balenciaga and Miu Miu are helping champion the resurgence of the kitten heel, and smaller designers like Shoes of Prey are catching on, too.
If you’re not yet on board, you will be after you keep scrolling and peep some of our favourite kitten heel moments. Then, you can shop for your favourite style below.
shop kitten heels
Related: Put Your Best Foot Forward at Work With These Powerful Shoes
Want more shoe trends? Follow us on Pinterest.
-
Stella McCartney Balanced Power Suits and Ethereal Gowns in a Collection That Thrived on Contrasts
The kind of collection that makes people want to "Come Together."
-
Spring 2026's It Sneakers Just Debuted in Paris at Dries Van Noten
I know a future sellout when I see one.
-
From Drop-Waist Dresses to Speakeasy Suiting, Ferragamo Brings Jazz Age Rebellion Into 2026
Here's my full review.
-
Simone Bellotti's Jil Sander Debut Was a Sartorial Palate Cleanser
The Italian designer made a delightful debut of his restrained tailoring and joyful color combinations.
-
WWW Editors Just Got Back From NYFW—Here's What We Wore and What We're Shopping Next
If you missed the 3000 Instagram Stories we posted, you can consider this the TL;DR.
-
Becky G Channeled a "Latin Telenovela Vibe" for Carolina Herrera's Madrid Show
An exclusive behind-the-scenes look.
-
According to NYFW, Everyone Will Wear These 6 Trends by Spring 2026
The runways spoke. We listened.
-
At Tory Burch, Dressing Like a Cool Uptown Girl Is What's in the Cards for Spring 2026
Six major S/S 26 trends just hit the runway.