Jewelled Heels: The New Statement Piece of a Wardrobe?

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You may have recently seen them slipping into collections, the embellished heels are back! Elegant or flashy? Opinions vary on them. At Modalova, we wanted to highlight this piece, which has traveled from the court of King Louis XIV to the pavements of 5th Avenue. And propose outfit ideas for the more adventurous among you who wish to make this piece their own.

The return of Versailles aesthetics in heels?

As is often the case in the fashion world, trends do not appear out of nowhere. The trend of embellished heels makes a direct reference to the fashionable court of King Louis XIV, where heeled shoes adorned with jewels were the hit piece of the moment!

If we take a little trip into the past, heeled shoes initially appeared with a square heel. A fashion trend that we see today in the popular baby models. It wasn’t until the late 1940s and early 1950s that the stiletto heel captivated women’s ready-to-wear fashion shows and found a place in wardrobes.

The era of the Sun King marks an interesting chapter in the history of the influence of this piece and fashion in general. On one hand, heeled shoes, which were previously worn only by men, became integrated into women’s wardrobes. Additionally, the court of King Louis XIV, and he himself, being very fashion-conscious, also reimagined the piece. 

Enthusiasts of colorful and detailed outfits brought ornaments made of buckles, jewelry, and embroidery to the piece. These ornaments appeared around 1660, with a real spotlight in the 18th century. Initially used to fasten the shoe, buckles quickly became a significant decorative element, showcasing both refinement and wealth. They became so popular that the Sun King made them mandatory for anyone visiting Versailles.

Shoe buckles, increasingly expensive over the years, were adorned with precious stones during social events. It was also during this time that rhinestones were created to offer jewelry imitating diamonds at a more affordable cost. These ornaments were chosen based on the outfit, also rich in splendor, and evolved over the years, both in appearance and placement on the shoe. 1792 marked the end of the buckle, which represented too strong a social differentiation. Metals were repurposed to create war materials for the revolution.

It was also under Louis XIV that Philippe I, Duke of Orleans, the younger brother of the monarch, launched the trend of this same pair, in a red heel version. A blood-red hue, simply derived from the blood of cattle covering the area of the Great Butchery in Paris, where he had gone to party. Upon returning to Versailles, he had unwittingly launched a new trend among the court of the King, who himself found the appearance of the shoe striking. 

A rich period in fashion history, which still inspires designers today. Notably with the return of embellished heels, which revive the Versailles era, with a few extra centimeters!

How to create an outfit with embellished heels?

This season, we rediscover embellished heels in a more modern and refined version of the Sun King’s shoes. The ornaments now feature on pointed-toe stilettos, taking the form of buckles, flowers, or suns, made of multiple crystals. The pair, which stands out as a strong character piece in an outfit, gives us a somewhat déjà vu feeling…

Indeed, for fashion and series fans, Big’s request to the iconic Carrie Bradshaw, with a pair of Manolo Blahniks, immediately comes to mind! This pair, in a deep blue, adorned with a textured buckle-shaped jewelry, captivated many. This scene notably contributed to the brand’s fame and the spread of the embellished heels trend. 

After a quiet period, we find embellished heels back in collections. These pairs are part of those fashion pieces that divide critics. Being very strong in character, you either love them or you don’t. Or, you look at them from afar, wanting to wear them, but not feeling up to dressing like Carrie Bradshaw for the office…

What changes this season, however, is, on one hand, the accessibility of embellished heels at different budgets. And on the other, their potential for pairing with various looks.

We find the pair among great designers, such as Alexandre Vauthier or Amina Muaddi. Consequently, they come with quite a high price tag, reflecting the brand’s reputation and craftsmanship. 

On the other hand, in response to the public’s attraction to the series Sex and the City, and the aesthetics of Instagram and Pinterest bringing embellished heels back to the forefront, more “accessible” brands have started producing models to target smaller budgets. Brands like Zara, Cosmoparis, or Stradivarius. La Redoute even offers a more “Versailles” version with a square heel.

The pairs also play with different colors, levels of transparency, textures, heel shapes, and ornaments. This makes them interesting and easier to pair with outfits. Indeed, in terms of looks, there’s no need to pull out a satin cocktail dress to wear embellished heels. This season, rhinestone shoes fit into various looks, both for daytime and going out. 

How to wear embellished heels at the office?

Upon seeing a pair of embellished heels, one might quickly think of the term “too much” if trying to pair them with an office environment. However, by thoughtfully selecting the other pieces of the outfit, especially by choosing classics in neutral cuts and colors, the pair can elegantly blend in, adding just a little touch of character. For example, we can pair them with a classic raw denim and white t-shirt combo. This rather understated combination allows the shoes to stand out without overwhelming the outfit with other strong visual elements. Moreover, the shoe blends into the overall look and draws fewer eyes. 

The pair can also contrast a total black look, as we see below.

We can also create a bolder office outfit, with a women’s two-piece suit in a bright monochrome pink, a very trendy color this month. And, we can break up the ensemble with embellished heels of another color, like a deep green, or play it safe with a black pair. If you don’t dare go for the pink suit, a more classic version could be spiced up with a pair of embellished heels in a slightly flashier color, as we see below.

The pair of embellished heels can thus, depending on its color, material, and the significance of its ornamentation, fit into office and everyday looks, in a more or less eye-catching way. For your comfort, you can opt for a short heel or even choose a flat ornamented version.

Are shoe embellishments the new necklace?

For an evening outfit, the focus should be on achieving the right balance in harmony and accessorizing the outfit. Indeed, the ornamentation of embellished heels occupies a significant place visually. Therefore, you should choose cuts and patterns that do not add too much visual information at various points on the body. Otherwise, you risk having an outfit that doesn’t flatter you. In terms of bracelets, necklaces, and rings, limit your pieces to avoid shining from all angles, as the shoe ornamentation is already present.

You could wear a body-hugging dress, satin-like or slightly textured, with a very fine necklace. It’s also possible to play with transparent embellished heels and echo their color through your dress. Jumpsuits can also be beautifully enhanced by this pair, with a nod to their color through a clutch, for example. It’s generally advisable to play with color combinations instead of adding jewelry, to enrich your outfit and make it harmonious.

Ultimately, we are dealing with a piece that at first glance may intrigue. But if worn well, it can be adopted on various occasions, both on the pavements and at evening events. So, it’s your turn to shop your pair of embellished heels at Modalova, and walk in the footsteps of Carrie Bradshaw!