Chanel introduced its two-tone slingback in 1957 with the shoemaker Raymond Massaro, and the idea behind it is optical. A beige shoe lengthens the leg and a black toe cap makes the foot look smaller. This is how to choose a slingback that stays on and still looks modern.
Slingbacks: Chanel's 1957 Trick for a Shorter-Looking Foot
A shoe built on an optical illusion
The most famous slingback is the two-tone Chanel from 1957, made with the shoemaker Raymond Massaro. The beige leather lengthens the leg and blends with the skin, while the black toe cap makes the foot look smaller. After seasons of chunky platforms, a slingback is a quiet rebuttal. It shows the heel, keeps the foot light, and gives a short walk a bit of rhythm. It is a shoe for someone who wants to look finished, not formal.
Heel height and fit
A kitten or mid-height heel, around two inches, is the easiest to walk in. A higher heel looks dressier but demands practice. Try the shoes on in the afternoon, when your feet have swelled slightly. The strap should sit snugly just above the heel bone without cutting. Sam Edelman, Marc Fisher and Stuart Weitzman make dependable pairs, and Jimmy Choo and Prada add polish. Stand up, take a few steps, and check that your heel does not slip out.
Color and finish
Black patent looks sharp, and a beige or nude pair elongates the leg. A two-tone shoe is a nod to Chanel, but a plain pair in one color is easier to wear every day. Suede is softer and warmer in fall. Picture her in a navy skirt suit and a beige slingback with a dark toe, crossing a cobblestone street without a wobble. The shoes make the outfit look planned. Stain guard suede pairs before the first rain.
Wear them past evening
Slingbacks are not only for dinner. With a straight-leg jean and a white shirt they look relaxed. With a pleated midi skirt they look elegant. In our fashion dreams she wears slingbacks to an early meeting and walks home from the gallery in them, because the strap holds. Pair them with thin socks only if you have a very low-cut shoe. Otherwise, go bare and carry blister plasters in your bag.
What I would skip
I would skip slingbacks with a very thin strap, which slips down the heel. I would skip pairs with a stiff, unforgiving upper, since they will never break in. And I would skip very pointed toes if you have wide feet. A slingback should feel like a secure hug, not a threat.
