
I can still remember my first pair of pointy toe shoes. They were a pair of Sandler kitten heel slingbacks and I bought three pairs two in black, one in maroon.
I’ve always suffered from an unshapely ankle, so of all pointy toes, I find slingbacks the best way to combat the dreaded cankle. The thin strap gives the illusion of thin ankles while the pointy toe brings the leg to a shapely point. I’ve never been a fan of the round toe, it seems so abrupt for those of us who don’t have calves to die for.
From the early days of Sex and The City our wardrobes were built around the pointy toe. We wore them to work, we wore them with our jeans. But in the ever changing world of fashion all trends have to come to a finish. Could those winds of fashion change be bringing an end to the point?
When I heard on the fashion-vine that pointy toes where on the way out, I fought hard for the sling-back. I went out and promptly bought two pairs of black kitten heels and a beige stiletto slingback. The slingback is a classic, so I know over the years I might get my wear out of them.
So it led me to ask the questions, are pointy toe shoes seriously on their way out? Will some withstand the fickleness of fashion? What will replace them? Pointy shoes – fad or classic?
My vote is for classic.
A fad or trend usually starts as a classic at some point created by designers with quality not quantity in mind. It’s a unique and special addition to your wardrobe. As time passes and the item filters down through the chain stores it becomes a much distorted version of what it once was. The image of Audrey Hepburn enjoying the Italian Riviera in capris, slingbacks and a jaunty scarf remains classic.
So what is the new replacement shoe?
Some of us had a brief affair with round toe pumps we realised they made us look more Minnie Mouse than 1940s war heroine. Wedges have once again seen the light of day but don’t look the best with work wear and tend to chunk up less than perfect calves. The best option if you are like me and have seen enough of the pointy toe for a while is a peep-toe pump. Look for textured leathers and bows as features.
Lucky for pointy toe fans there are some designers still creating versions that are classics. Country Road and Witchery do great flats and kitten heels and Robert Robert always has a good mix of pointy and peep.
We haven’t seen the last of the point toe, it’s just taking a hiatus from the shoe scene for awhile. The fashion cycle is constantly revolving and before we know it they will be back.
No no no! I am hanging on to my slingbacks forever. I don’t care how many round toes I see on the catwalk, I’m staying loyal to the point. A round toed shoe makes my legs look chopped in half, and at 5 foot nothing, I need all the help I can get. Long live the point!
Posted by: Sally at May 8th, 2007 2:30 pmThe pointy toe going!!! Never! I say! As the owner of about 400 pairs of shoes with the majority of them pointy toes, nothing looks better peeping from underneath jeans, black trousers or the classic dress and work gear. They give sexiness to workwear and everything else. All men love the look of the pointy toes…would you ever find one saying love the look of the round toes? No. The pointy toe is sexy no matter what you wear.
Posted by: Michelle at May 8th, 2007 10:19 pmI hadn’t really though about it it until now, but I felt a bit silly putting on my really pointy boots the other day, the style really seems to have changed.
My vote? I can’t give up the point just yet, but my really really pointy shoes will be taking a rest.
Posted by: Neve at May 8th, 2007 11:41 pmI have always loved the round toe! I have only ever owned 2 pairs of truly pointy shoes.
I suppose I like the round toe because it suits my style, but good ones are hard to find!
Posted by: Cathy at May 9th, 2007 12:03 amI’m a little relieved. I’ve never been into pointy shoes. It always brought to mind the toeless witches in roald dalh’s book who always wore pointy shoes. I’d be glad of at least a few shops starting to stock some round toes soon. Nice ones have been hard to find recently.
Posted by: Charlotte at May 9th, 2007 2:15 amNo pointy shoes are here to stay for me. m it took me awhile to get into them and now, they are the best style for me. sexy, sassy, bold,. you just cannot have enough of them. so many styles and textures. poibnty shoes are a classic and here to stay.
Posted by: sunshine at May 9th, 2007 8:16 amI agree about wedges - they can be funky if worn with the right outfit but don’t look as crisp and professional with corporate wear. I’ve got one pair that are round toe-d and they come out every so often, as appropriate! Long live classics-look at ballerinas. I’ve been wearing them from the ageas of 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 18, 21 and so on and so forth and they’re still very much in vogue now.
Posted by: Elouise at May 9th, 2007 9:57 amWhilst I love slingbacks, how the hell do you keep them on - haven’t been able to master that one. My shoes are a mix and I wear a toe that suits the clothes. Today am wearing a tweedy skirt with round a toe Chloe pump - love it!!!!!!!
Posted by: Joanna at May 9th, 2007 10:19 amI’m very passionate about pointy toe shoes and feel they are definitely here to stay! I’m a big fan of the ultra long, Italian point, which is sleek and stylish and longer than your average point! Trends come and go but the pointy toe heel is definitely here to stay! Just have a look at any shoe store, you’ll find round toe pumps and boots, but also your trusty pointy toe!
Posted by: SUSIE at May 9th, 2007 5:35 pmHave you ever tried to find a stylish but comfy BOOT? It has to have a flattish heel, therefore anything remotely round toed looks like a man’s workboot when worn with jeans! HEAVEN FORBID! Add a pointy toe and Voilla! Stylish and comfy BOOT! Long live the pointy toe. (Flat pointy ’shoes’ on the other hand just look whey too 80’s for my liking!)
Posted by: Monica at May 9th, 2007 11:28 pmI must agree with most of the other comments. I LOVE the pointy toe high heel style. It is an absolute classic and to me will never go away! And yes SUSIE I have to agree with you - the ultra long Italian point is definitely the best look with any outfit!
Posted by: Andrea at May 10th, 2007 2:32 amMy beautiful new round toed shoes are so stylish and gorgeous. And oh soo much better looking on my size 11 foot than the auto-extending pointy toed on-its-way-out-fashion shoes. The pendulum has swung - take a look at the fashion of pointy v round toes against a backdrop of low waist v high waist. To move on to the new black, the pendulum first has to swing “too far” before arriving at the new medium. Before you know it, you’ll throw out your hair straighteners and purchase a curling wand for some big hair …
Posted by: Gabi at May 10th, 2007 10:38 pmI do love my pointy shoes and they are here to stay, classic is and will stay. I just can’t stand the sight of chunky heels with round toe,fashion as is fashion comes and go !!! and dare I say don’t throw your old shoes. I guess if your skinny with nice calves, and long legs ,gets away with virtually anything.
Posted by: Bessie at August 17th, 2007 8:50 pmI find that the shape of your foot determines your choice of shoes.
Posted by: marg at October 5th, 2007 9:35 pmI have not got a “outy” heel so slingbacks end up being annoying stand-ons.
Long feet are extended by pointy shoes.
Round toes can widen feet.
Ankle straps above the ankle give an elegant thinner look.
Semi closed shoes over the broadest part of the shoe widen the foot.
And then there is the heel choice…..
I for one am so permanently and immovably in love with pointy toes of the ultra-long Italian variety (and so afraid that they’ve begun disappearing) that my partner and I have started a fashion-defying website where you’ll still be able to get the pointiest shoes on Earth whatever the fashion police tell you to wear! It’s called RoSa Shoes, based in England, but we ship worldwide (you’ll easily find it by Googling - better not try a link!!), and the shoes have absolutely the longest, wildest points that can be manufactured, even by Italian standards! In fact, we asked the Italian factory which makes our exclusive designs to create the most pointed last in Italy just for us. The stiletto heels we use are rather special too! Whoever heard of any man finding short, fat feet sexy?! Round toes just look ridiculous once the novelty has gone.
Posted by: Sarah at November 16th, 2007 4:10 am