Net-a-porter has revealed that lower heel heights have overtaken sales of high heels.
Towering stilettos have long been the shoe of choice for women wanting to elongate their legs and feel fabulous. 2018 sales figures have shown that heels under the height of 3 inches have overtaken the sale of high heels (4 inches or above), for the first time ever.
It has long been said, that male designers invented the high heel stiletto without acknowledging comfort or walkability. Paparazzi shots of various celebrities see stilettos being worn to the mall, grocery shopping and even just for a short stroll. A report from the luxury e-commerce site, Net-A-Porter, has revealed that 2018 could be the year women ditch the stilettos for a more comfortable and wearable shoe.
According to the Mail Online ,a spokesperson for Net-A-Porter reported that, “In 2018, while high heels [4in] still represent around 20 per cent of our shoe business, the new heel height [3in] is fast becoming more and more popular and we expect this trend to grow.” With trainers set to be a hot trend for SS18, there’s no doubt the sales of stilettos will continue to decrease. Freelance fashion stylists, Phoebe Adams reveals several alternatives to the high heel from the chunkier heel, wedge heel or the infamous kitten heel ,“there are more and more options out there for people who prefer lower heels. The kitten heel is either loved or hated, but a chunkier heel can be a more suitable alternative to the stiletto. Wedge heels are also a popular summer shoe; heel height can vary from comfortable platform to a higher fashion shoe.”
Despite the health issues raised in relation to the constant wearing of high heels; several women feel a stiletto heel can add an air of confidence. Fashion lover and air hostess Chloe Allen, discusses her love of the high heel “I love wearing high heels, they are in my uniform for my job but they are always my go to shoe for a night out. Although my heels for work are a lot lower than my shoes I like to wear out. They make you feel taller, thinner and just all round more fabulous”.
Is it the end of the stiletto era? Only time will tell. With more and more women opting for fashionable wedges or lower heels, it will be interesting to see if sales will continue to drop. Spotlight has selected some summer wedges and chic lower heel alternatives, for those who are ready to ditch the stiletto.