From Prada to Dior—these are the vintage heels you’ll want in your closet

Shopping vintage is second-nature to many of us these days. It makes sense: not only is it possible to track down rare fashion treasures—like vintage heels—that none of your friends have, you can also buy them at a fraction of the original price.

But while archival It-bags have reached the mainstream, vintage shoes is one category that’s still often overlooked. That’s likely down to an element of the ick factor and concern over wear and tear – although, of course, there are countless shoe restoration services out there.

Luckily, that sentiment is beginning to change – thanks to the likes of Bella Hadid, who was spotted at Cannes last year wearing a pair of highly sought-after pink Prada kitten heels. Meanwhile, Vestiaire Collective reports that searches for vintage heels have gone up 37 per cent year on year, with Dior, Gucci and Prada being the three most popular brands.

Below, see the best vintage heels to invest in now.

Prada kitten heels

There’s no shortage of vintage Prada shoes to choose from (see the recently reissued platform brogues from spring/summer 2011), but we’ve set our alerts for the suede eyelet kitten heels from the early Noughties, as previously worn by Hadid. Also on our wishlist? The buckle kitten heels, also from the Aughts.

Vintage Black Suede Cut-Out Heels

Vintage Pink Suede Pointed Kitten Heels

Gucci monogram slingbacks

While we have some time to wait before the arrival of Demna’s Gucci, the designer’s collaboration with Alessandro Michele for the “Hacker Project” back in 2021 may hold some clues of what to expect. It’s why we think the Gucci monogram may return in a big way in future seasons – making these vintage slingbacks a worthwhile investment.

£242

Vestiaire Collective

Dior logo heels

In a similar vein, it seems that logomania is also on its way back at Dior – with Maria Grazia Chiuri bringing back the brand’s famous J’Adore Dior T-shirt for autumn/winter 2025. Go the whole hog and wear yours with a branded buckle heel, also originating in the Noughties.

£690

Vestiaire Collective

£259

Vestiaire Collective

Céline ballerina heels

It’s no secret that anything by Phoebe Philo is highly coveted on the vintage market – and these ballerina heels from her spring/summer 2015 collection for Céline are no different. Already owned by at least one Vogue editor, the hybrid style feels just as relevant 10 years later.

Vivienne Westwood Ghillie platforms

Despite being the least practical item on this list, any vintage collector worth their salt will have Vivienne Westwood’s Ghillie platforms on their wishlist (or in their archive). The towering shoes were famously worn by Naomi Campbell when she tripped on the runway during the brand’s autumn/winter 1993 show. Not for the faint hearted.

Elevated Ghillie Platform

Black Leather Ghillie Elevated Heels

This story first appeared in British Vogue.

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