Forget Flats—My French Friend Told Me That the Chicest Parisians Are Wearing These Anti-Trend Heels Instead
No, Saint Laurent Jeanne Slingback Pumps shouldn't be put into hibernation after party season. We've admired them on the streets of Paris and beyond, so read on for our intel.
Our collective dos and don’ts of a seemingly endless January may include avoiding meat and alcohol or kickstarting a new exercise routine, so the stylish promise that the Saint Laurent Jeanne slingback pumps provide is a delightful curveball. Who says you can’t buy pointy stiletto slingbacks post-party season, huh? And I think we can all agree that these instantly iconic black heels are a liberating way to break up the all-flat monotony of snug boots, low-profile trainers, and polished loafers.
Of all the captivating pointy slingbacks that Anthony Vaccarello designed to strut down the Saint Laurent AW25 runway, locking in a shoe trend that has trickled down to the streets since, the Jeanne stood out a mile. Considered an evolution of the refined Lee style, the shoe features a metal cap embossed with the famed Cassandre monogram at the end of each elongated glossy black square toe. Note the ultra-skinny heel, in stark contrast to the objectively more comfortable wedge, which is growing in popularity. And, of course, the sleek supportive strap that curves around the heel from the square-cut vamp makes this timeless style feel distinctively modern.
Every time I scroll on social media these days, I see at least one influencer or fashion insider wearing them (or some kind of dupe). From Grece Ghanem in Paris to Laura Jade Stone who splits her time between Australia and Europe, it’s been a while since one specific heel style has captured hearts and wallets so definitively.
Slipping on the Saint Laurent Jeanne slingback pumps to add a spring to your step is a no-brainer, as the uninterrupted allure endures and the extreme elegance is cross-generational. These investment heels rise to 9cm and 11cm for those seeking added height in a way that’s still walkable for them, while the metallic toes can amplify jewellery and make-up in similar tones beautifully.
Over sheer tights, these Jeanne slingbacks feel decidedly ’80s, the final touch when power dressing in a strong-shouldered suit or sharp pencil skirt, although the shoe shape first came into view on the feet of ’40s pin-ups. That flirty frisson evolved into full-blown sex appeal when Sharon Stone as Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct (1994) and other cinematic bombshells rocked them on the big screen. The closed toe does indeed hide the front of a stellar pedicure but the soft and smooth back of a bare heel can always be showcased.
Pictures don’t fully do the exquisite craftspersonship of the Saint Laurent Jeanne slingback pumps justice, and as the pendulum swings back towards more explicit logomania again, these sophisticated heels are an understated first step. Demure with a twist at the front, and sexy behind with recognisable proportions, I’ve most commonly observed how dramatically these versatile slingbacks can elevate blue jeans, and they’re available with shimmering gold or silver toe caps.
Scroll down to shop both colourways, plus our edit of the best Saint Laurent slingback heels.
Shop Saint Laurent’s Jeanne Slingback Pumps:
Going for gold has never looked chicer.
The silver could read futuristic with the right outfit.
The lower heel only makes the vision more accessible.
Unveiling these at work would be unforgettable.
Shop More Saint Laurent Black Slingback Pumps:
Mesh is another tantalising shoe texture.
A gold heel is a great back view.
The flash of fuchsia will certainly draw eyes down.
These heels are a work of art.
Don't hide these under full length trousers.
Minimal and perfectly formed.
These heels can be worn or displayed.
That square rose on the front is a pretty touch.
