You might have heard: high heels are back. But I’m going to let you into a secret. It’s not high heels that are making a return to fashion, it’s their baby sister, the kitten heel.
Whether positioned under pointy-toed mules or beneath elegant toe-post sandals (think luxed-up flip-flops), the slimline, chic kitten heel is the one style of footwear guaranteed to give your look, your legs, and you, a lift for spring and summer 2026.
And while there are plenty of designer versions, the clever team at M&S have just released their take on the leg-lengthening toe-post sandal, in both black and white, in sizes 3–8, for £46. And they’re good.
They’ve also released a £40 satin kitten-heeled mule in the colour of the year, icy blue, shoes so chic they stopped me mid-scroll.
Both styles offer more than a nod to the chic Nineties reboot that’s shaping the current fashion mood. Plus, at a manageable one to two inches in height (let’s not forget they were once known as ‘trainer heels’ for teenagers in the 50s), kitten heels are exactly what you reach for when you don’t want to wear a slimline sneakerina, but can’t face a heel. That would be all of us, right?
I’ve been seeing the kitten heel toe-post shoe used by retailers across the high street who are styling the shoe as the slightly dressed-up finisher for most of their spring and summer looks. The styling proves beyond doubt, whether its jeans, midi skirts, joggers, baggy shorts or dresses of all shapes, this shoe works with all of them.
The toe-post version in particular is so versatile. You can wear them with barrel-leg jeans, with balloon trousers, or to finish off a pretty dress whether midi, maxi or an above-the-knee style.
The pale icy blue kitten heeled mule, will look as knockout with pale blue or white jeans of any shape, as they do with a party or wedding guest dress.
If you like to look casual but with a chic flourish, these shoes give you that slightly dressed-up edge. For top-toe-toe chic, these are the only shoe option you need.
You’ll be seeing them everywhere in the weeks to come.