This V-shaped shoe is becoming fashion’s new favourite heel

After a year committed to “fashion flip-flops” – see The Row’s humble-looking Dunes and Havaianas – it’s time to put our toes away. Flashes of the talus and navicular bones (on the upper part of the foot) are an exception , as this season we’ve witnessed an uptick in shoes that encase the foot like a décolletage-revealing knit. Their name? The V-neck shoe, of course.

Phoebe Philo’s V-neck shoes on Céline’s autumn/winter 2016 runway.

Céline autumn/winter 2016.

Phoebe Philo, she of divisive shoe mastery, peddled several V-neck shoes during her tenure at Céline, including styles crafted from supple, sock-like leather with angular heels, which debuted for autumn/winter 2016. Meanwhile, Matthieu Blazy introduced new interpretations at the Chanel Métiers d’Art show, worn by models who scaled a subway-station-come-runway. Featured amidst a medley of incredible textures and fabric innovations (Blazy’s calling cards), the Maison’s iconic two-tone slingbacks arrived with tapered V-shaped uppers—in white/black, black/white, red/black, and baby blue/black—and spiked flourishes on the heel straps.

And if Blazy’s versions were for New York women navigating train platforms, then Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons’s patent spring/summer 2026 iterations, delving low enough to peek toe cleavage and secured with delicate leather bows, were for after-dark outings. As for Louise Trotter’s scrunched leather Bottega takes, which came knotted at the achilles and elevated with a kitten heel? These would be suited to any occasion that calls for directional comfort.

Like a V-neck sweater, there’s an unexpected practicality to be gained from a V-neck shoe. Grounded in outré sex appeal—and no need for a pedicure—this is a silhouette that will deliver from 9 to 5 and the hours in between.

₹ 16,800

Cos – Heeled ballerinas

₹ 96,700

Phoebe Philo – Tilt mules

₹ 69,000

Babouche – kitten heels

₹ 1,19,700

Bottega Veneta – Jet mules

₹ 1,27,000

Alaia – Leather pumps

₹ 94,900

Gucci – Heeled mule

₹ 47, 100

Jude – Paw mules

₹ 39,900

Harvey Nichols – Python-effect pumps

₹ 1,02,800

Khaite – Peep-toe leather mules

₹ 73,198

Proenza Schouler – Slingback pumps

This article first appeared on Vogue.co.uk

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