For those who still fancy a little height, SS26 offers a happy middle ground. Enter the low heel: elegant, wearable and just enough to change the line of an outfit without tipping the whole thing into ordeal territory. From slingbacks to courts and mules, it’s the silhouette delivering polish without the penance.
Low Profile: The Low Heel Is The It Shoe For SS26
The low heel is back for SS26 – here’s why it’s the most wearable shoe trend now.
There was a time when getting dressed up seemed to require a baffling degree of suffering, with vertiginous stilettos treated as the finishing touch to properly polished outfits. Happily, times have changed and so have we. Over the past decade, flats of every persuasion – trainers, loafers, ballet pumps – have become entirely acceptable with almost everything, and our feet have thanked us ever since.
For those who still fancy a little height, SS26 offers a happy middle ground. Enter the low heel: elegant, wearable and just enough to change the line of an outfit without tipping the whole thing into ordeal territory. From slingbacks to courts and mules, it’s the silhouette delivering polish without the penance.
For those who still fancy a little height, SS26 offers a happy middle ground. Enter the low heel: elegant, wearable and just enough to change the line of an outfit without tipping the whole thing into ordeal territory. From slingbacks to courts and mules, it’s the silhouette delivering polish without the penance.
The Mule
The easiest entry point: slip-on, unfussy and easily elevating everything from denim to dresses.
The Court
The classic, recalibrated – polished enough for work, but softened with a lower, more wearable heel.
The Slingback
A perennial favourite for a reason: refined, feminine and ideal for days that stretch into evenings.
FAQs: Low Heels
Are low heels actually comfortable?
In short, yes – but it depends on the design. A well-balanced kitten or block heel offers lift without the pressure points of a stiletto, making them far more wearable day to day.
What height counts as a ‘low heel’?
Generally anything between 2–5cm. Enough to subtly alter posture and silhouette, but not so much that it becomes a commitment.
Are low heels suitable for work?
Ideal, in fact. Courts and slingbacks in particular strike the right note between polished and practical, working just as well with tailoring as with dresses.
How do you style low heels casually?
They pair surprisingly well with denim – think straight-leg jeans and a simple knit, or a midi skirt and T-shirt. The slight lift keeps things feeling considered.
Are low heels still on trend beyond SS26?
All signs suggest yes. As fashion continues to favour wearability, the low heel sits comfortably between flats and occasion shoes – a space that is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
By
Nancy Alsop
·
Published April 2026
Nancy is a magpie for the best in design and culture.
