The Emotional (and Arch) Support Shoe of My Mid-Twenties: An Ode To Kitten Heels

There comes a moment in a woman's life when she realises that size does in fact matter.

When she realises she simply cannot do four-inch heels anymore. Mine came somewhere between crying in a Zara fitting room and Googling “how to fix your posture at 26.” Enter: kitten heels. A dainty, judgment-free, 1.5-inch whisper of a heel that softly says, I’ve been through things—and I have bills to pay.

Kitten heels are the shoe version of a sigh. They're practical but still cute, like a girl who’s seen a few heartbreaks, deleted Hinge three times, and now just wants to feel something—preferably under $80 and with arch support.

An Ode To Kitten Heels - Pinterest

At first, I resisted. I thought they were for women who owned matching towel sets and said things like “I already have one of those in camel.” But one day I wore them to a party full of Gen Zs in platform sneakers and realized something profound: I no longer needed to suffer to be seen. My knees? Grateful. My soul? Lightly lifted—just like my heels.

Now, kitten heels are my quiet rebellion. Against pain. Against chaos. Against the idea that I need to run in order to keep up. They don’t scream for attention. They don’t need to. They’ve paid their dues. Just like me.

I used to wear shoes that tried to make me someone I wasn’t. Taller. Hotter. Unbothered. Now I wear kitten heels: short, stylish, and a little bit tired. But dependable. Grown. The kind of shoe that says, I bring my own wine to dinner because I’m not paying $14 for a glass.

They’re the footwear of someone who keeps a spreadsheet of their subscriptions and has a go-to salad order. Who still romanticises their life, but knows better than to do it in stilettos. Who has a tote bag with emergency paracetamol, lip balm, and a tiny deodorant. Who understands the power of a shoe that won’t betray you halfway through the night.

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Styling Tips for the Kitten-Heeled & Chronically Tired:

With Vintage Denim & a Button-Down

The unofficial uniform of “I have taste, but I’m also 5 minutes late to everything.” A crisp white shirt, vintage Levi’s, and kitten heels say: I’m polished, but not trying too hard (because I literally don’t have the energy).

With a Slouchy Midi Skirt & Baby Tee

This combo whispers art girl with a skincare budget. Add a claw clip and suddenly you’re mysterious and emotionally unavailable—but in a hot way.

With Trousers & a Blazer (But Make It Soft):

You want structure, but not corporate trauma. Pair your kitten heels with wide-leg trousers and a blazer over a tank or knit top. It’s giving “freelancer who invoices in cafés” energy.

With a Dress That Moves (Ideally in the Wind)

Flowy dresses + kitten heels = main character energy without the foot cramps. Add sunglasses and a tote bag with snacks, and you’re ready to mentally spiral in aesthetic locations.

With Socks (Trust Me)

Yes. Socks. A little frill, a little fun. It’s unexpected, a tiny bit rebellious, and extremely comfy. Bonus: hides the evidence of your unpedicured toes.

With Literally Anything That Screams ‘Trying but Not Too Hard’

Because that’s what kitten heels are all about. Not effortlessness—but intentional softness. They’re the friend who texts “did you get home safe?” and then passes out by 10:30.

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Kitten heels are for the girlies who’ve aged out of chaos but still know how to flirt. Who are trying. Who are tired. Who are tender. They’re the middle ground between giving up and giving everything. They’re the heel for the in-between era: when you’re not quite thriving, but you’re showing up anyway.

So yes, I pay rent now. I have a skincare routine. I say things like “we should do a picnic soon” and mean it. I’m figuring it out. And I’m doing it in kitten heels—the one thing I can always count on to support me.