5 Trends Driving the Downfall of High Heels

Vogue Arabia

19-05-2025

You must have noticed it. Less of the loud clomping hitting tiled floors at the office. A decrease in looks of discomfort across female colleagues. Women embracing their natural heights, rather than adding on inches through stilettos. Whether they're wearing square-toed penny loafers, woven ballerinas or sporty trainers, one thing is evident: high heels have fallen from the stature they once enjoyed, signalling a sartorial overhaul of fashion's footwear codes. Here are some wider movements that have contributed to the demise of high heels:
Comfort over everything
Comfort has not always trumped style in the world of fashion – but it's starting to. Or rather, more creative directors are making clothing and footwear that prioritise comfort. One reason for this design revolution is the fact that more females are heading fashion houses that were previously led by men. When women create for women, concerns like comfort are addressed more authentically. Trends across the wider industry have reflected this transformation in fashion: oversized silhouettes, streetwear and modesty have all become increasingly mainstream. And, if clothes are becoming more comfortable, footwear will never fall far behind.
The new workwear codes
When the world locked down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, impelling many of us to work from our homes, fashion, well, took a bit of a backseat. From the waist up, we dressed up: collared shirts, chunky necklaces and styled hair. Waist down, not so much. Tracksuit bottoms, workout leggings and fuzzy house slippers, far from heeled, constituted #WFH attire. So now that we're all back to the office, these casual tendencies have naturally followed us to the workplace where we're less inclined to wear footwear that makes us dread the walks from our desk to the meeting room, kitchenette and parking lot.
Photo: Amina Muaddi at Level Shoes
'Customers are gravitating toward pieces that feel effortless yet refined — styles they can wear from day to night without compromising on style,' shares Elisa Bruno, CEO of Level Shoes. She says that while comfort may be a key factor, heels remain a strong sales category. 'That said, there's been a clear shift in preferences when it comes to heel height — there's less demand for 100mm stilettos and more interest in wearable silhouettes like kitten heels and sling-backs,' she explains.
'It's less about heels becoming irrelevant, and more about flats becoming the main character this season.'
Elisa Bruno
Ballerinas are having a moment
A recent BoF report found that Mary Jane and ballet flat sales spiked in 2024, growing faster than the entire high heel segment. Leading the pack of luxury brands is, of course, Alaïa, whose mesh flats have somehow surpassed multiple seasons in both relevance and widespread appeal. Decorated with edgy buckles and maximalist bobbles; feminine bows and girly-girl glitter, ballerinas are now available in all sorts of styles, making them fun – and now socially acceptable – footwear for even the most formal occasions. 'We're seeing flats being reimagined through elevated materials, intricate details, and innovative design, making them just as statement-worthy as heels,' shares Bruno.
Quickly gaining a cult following globally, Flabelus is one label specialising in this realm, and its popular silhouette combines the dainty appearance of the ballet flat with the traditional craftsmanship of Spanish espadrilles. "The modern lifestyle demands footwear that allows for ease of movement, and traditional high heels often fall short in this regard,' explains Duaa El Sayed, events and press manager for the Middle East and Asia. 'High heels are experiencing a decline, as women increasingly prioritise comfort alongside style.'
Sneakers – and sneakerinas – are on the rise
Speaking of ballerinas, the latest hybrid shoe taking fashion by storm, influencing brands from Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton to Puma, is a ballerina-based trainer. Or a trainer-based ballerina. Whichever way you call it, the two styles from opposite ends of the footwear spectrum – one dainty and feminine and the other chunky and sporty – have come together in a surprisingly popular blend of aesthetics. Apart from sneakerinas, classic old trainers, upgraded through contemporary colour and textile combinations, have become increasingly acceptable in women's fashion over the past decade. Today, a luxury trainer can be just as much a status symbol as a designer stiletto.
Feminism is in fashion
Finally, it would be remiss to explore the downfall of heeled shoes without stating the obvious: sexiness is no longer the prime priority for women. Dressing for the male gaze, in shoes designed by the male gaze (Christian Louboutin, we see you) has lost some of its appeal in the post #MeToo era, and with advancements in feminist movements. Advertisements and campaigns – often featuring females in heels – designed to objectify women have come under fire, giving women pause for thought before dragging their feet to purchase them.
Of course, this isn't to say that there's anything inherently bad about high heels. At the end of the day, it comes down to comfort and confidence, and if you can achieve both in a pair of heels, more power to you. But if your weary toes are reluctant to squish into any more uber-high shoes, embrace this new era of heel-less footwear and enjoy feeling more grounded, for a change.