We know you’re bored of hearing the phrase

“

fashion is cyclical,

”

but as we’ve sort of put

to bed for the time being, the kitten heel has reemerged as a wonderful alternative. The feminine style offers a dressed-up silhouette that you won’t want to kick off after a few hours.

Known for its curved low heel, the miniature stiletto has been around for centuries, but in terms of recent history, the low-heeled style rose to popularity in the

’

50s due largely to designer Roger Viver, preceding stints in the spotlight of both the

’

60s and

’

90s. According to an article in

CR Fashion Book

, “the name came about because the style was considered a training heel for ‘kittens,’ aka young girls not ready for grown women’s high-heel stilettos.” A symbol of timeless glamour, the low-heeled style has been favored by movie stars and first ladies alike.

Photo: Getty

Designers have begun to challenge the traditional silhouette of the kitten heel, too. What started as an attribute of a pump now transcends to sandals, boots, mules, flip-flops, and more. Recently, there have been a few incredibly iconic styles that shot across the fashion industry, like the Balenciaga Knife

Mules

, the Khaite Zebra

Boots

, and the Dior

Slingbacks

In my opinion, the coolest way to style them is to disregard all notions of their traditional pairings—the ultra-feminine silhouette needs something masculine to ground it. Think oversize silhouettes, denim, and boxy tailoring. You can also try implementing a little irony with contrasting statement materials like leather or sequins.