Some trends come from the runways, but the reality of what people actually wear can only be seen out in the world – while going to work, at the supermarket, at the bar, or scrolling through social media. The biggest takeaway I’ve noted for the spring season? The love for trainers is finally waning, replaced by kitten heels, mules and even sky-high stilettos. The trends of 2016 have clearly left their mark and fancy shoes are firmly back on the agenda.
Growing up in Essex, at a time when platforms and six-inch stilettos were appropriate shoes to wear even inside the local pub, this revival is what I’ve been waiting for. Although far more sophisticated versions—the mule, the block-heel ballet pump and the kitten-heel sling-back—are now leading the charge. Polishing is the main objective, with everything from jeans to pencil skirts and silk mini dresses with heels that wouldn’t look out of place at any wedding.
Scroll through for heel-wearing outfits worth repurposing for every occasion this spring, perhaps in a matter of years. Trainers and ballet flats have left your body in need of a motivation.
6 Spring Outfits with Heels to Wear Right Now
1. Pencil skirt + shirt + slingback
Style Notes: If you want a dress that will turn heads, Caroline Lynn’s butter yellow and blue combination is a particularly strong contender. Pencil skirts, shirts and slingbacks may all be officewear favourites, but it’s the small styling details that make it nothing of the sort. To say good would be an exaggeration.
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max mara
Two-piece technical-fabric trench coat
A light butter yellow trench coat like Caroline’s will tie the entire outfit together.
2. Suede Shorts + Stiletto
Style Notes: The trickiest part of dressing in spring is the change in temperatures – almost freezing in the morning, hot by afternoon. Liv Madeline offers a particularly stylish solution: suede shorts. Feet out, still somehow warm. Made more impressive with a sharp stiletto. After all, it’s the era of the high heel (again).
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3. Jeans + Trench Coat + Heeled Ballet Pumps
Style Notes: Practical yet sophisticated, this is the look I’m adding to my everyday spring outfit moodboard. Chances are many of these elements will already be in your wardrobe. Includes vintage baseball cap decorated with logo.
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4. Mini Dress + Zebra Print Mules
Style Notes: Heading to a spring wedding, evening dinner or date night? Julie Sargent makes a strong case for the Ferrari mini dress – butter yellow, still very much in the color conversation, only elevated by the attention-grabbing shoes. Proof, if you need it, that animal print is always a wise idea.
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5. Jeans + Shirt + Snake Print Heels
Style Notes: Some outfits have different styles, such as jeans, leather jackets and heels, but Amy Song’s style looks particularly sophisticated. Brown jeans over everyday blue, a trending pink shirt in place of classic white, and snake print pumps that make a far stronger case than a block color. An outfit I would copy for the office.
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6. Leather jacket + transparent trousers + two-tone pumps
Style Notes: Granted, sheer polka dot trousers may not be the most obvious choice for the office—but if you’re looking for an evening look that’s truly unexpected, consider a very welcome upgrade on Vic Montanari’s all-black dress. Grounded by two-tone The Chanel pump that beautiful women actually line up for. I am also included.
