How to wear slingbacks?

Long live slingback!

They’ve been off our radar for so long, you might think we’re talking about some sort of spin on the famous Singapore cocktail. But slingbacks are officially back in vogue, and we’ll tell you just how to rock them! You may have thought they’d fallen off the face of the earth, but they’re back on some of the chic-est feet on the planet! This feminine, arty shoe is the footwear of choice for snappy fashionistas with high standards. It even adds a clever twist to preppy outfits over the usual pump or loafer.

Whether your own slingbacks are red, white or blue, it’s time for them to come out of the closet and fly their flag with pride. Slingbacks are back!

An iconic shoe...

For Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who designed the two-tone slingback, it represented the epitome of chic and elegance. The reworked Karl Lagerfeld version in 2016 affirmed its iconic status, while Maria Grazia Chiuri designed the cult Dior model with "J’Adior" emblazoned on the strap.

The heel can be round, square or pointed. Neither too high nor too low, it offers a straight posture and is comfortable to walk in. As far as color is concerned, anything goes - monochrome, two-tone or printed. The slingback is a chameleon that adapts to its surroundings.

With many possible styles...

In her witty piece in the June 29/30 supplement of Figaro Madame, Valérie de Saint-Pierre gives us a brief rundown of how to avoid a slingback faux pas: “Unless you’re attending an ultra-traditional family wedding, never wear slingbacks with a shift dress. Nor with pastel capri pants, nor with a twin-set... However, with a little pair of frayed jeans or a chic boiler suit, you can work their quirky feminine charm to great effect. To get the best out of them, avoid nude and black and opt for vivid yellow, strong blue (pink is a bit too Barbie-esque) or even devilish red. In white, slingbacks reign supreme at the hem of raw-edged ankle grazer jeans".