A slingback is a shoe that has a strap around the back of the heel instead of a strap over the vamp of the foot. The heels of the foot are exposed, and in many cases the vamp of the foot is bare too. The strap that slings back around the heel can be broad or narrow. It can be elasticated, or buckled.
We see slingbacks every season, but closed-toe versions are popping everywhere as the rag trade gives them their fashion moment. They are available in a slew of colours, and some patterns too. Heel heights vary from flat to low and high. Heel shapes vary from narrow stilettos and broad block heels, to platforms and wedges. Toe boxes vary from pointy, almond and round, to square and snip toe. Some styles are refined, and some chunky. Here are some examples.
I like the look of slingbacks. Visually, the daintier versions with low or flat heels work well on my low-volume feet. Personally I like the ones with square or snip toes. But practically, they don’t stay on my feet. The strap slides down my heels, and the style isn’t sufficiently supportive or stable to accommodate my stride. I can’t comfortably walk in them at my fast pace. But every so often, the vamp is high enough, the footbed and block heel supportive, and the strap in the right position on my heel so that it doesn’t slide down. When the planets align, I will wear a refined slingback flat or pump because they can look awfully pretty, and I have a soft spot for “the pretty”. But I doubt I’ll go looking for the right style because I don’t like them enough to go through the effort. I’d rather wear Mary Janes or ankle-strap pumps with a flat or low heel.
Over to you. Do you like and wear closed-toe slingback footwear?
