From Simone Biles to Florence Pugh, there’s no shortage of petite fashion inspo. Style a monochrome look, show some ankle, rock a crop top, choose a jumpsuit…short girl styling tips are anything but boring. And now, the latest piece of TikTok fashion advice to lend you the illusion of height? Stock your closet with some pointy-toe shoes. Before you protest that they are toe pinching heathens from the depths of fashion hell, hear me out. Or, rather, take a look at the examples below and behold the transformations. And should you be sold on the idea after seeing the magic on Pugh herself, I’ve rounded up five pairs of pointy-toe shoes that are comfortable AND will give you legs for days.
This Is the One Shoe Shape Every Petite Woman Should Stock Up On
create an elegant illusion
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Published Jul 12, 2024
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VALERIE MACON/Contributor/ CBS Photo Archive/Contributor/WWD/Contributor
Why Pointy Shoes Work for Petites
“While you’ll see a lot of tips to wear nude/skin-toned hues as a way to elongate your legs, I find that a pointy toe works for me even when it comes to fun colorways and funky designs,” says PureWow Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida, who’s 5’1’’. “The shape itself just works wonders to create the illusion of a longer leg and extra height.”
Karwai Tang/Contributor/Marc Piasecki/Contributor/Getty Images
In the video above, TikTok creator Bella Nguyen illustrates the dramatic visual shift by first wearing a pair of square-toe Mary Janes with a double strap. Then, she shows a side-by-side wearing a pointy-toed pair of shoes. Though the shoes are the same neutral color and height (two inches), there’s a marked difference. Similarly, the photos of Florence Pugh show that, though in one photo she’s obviously wearing sky-high platforms, the overall line of her legs feels truncated, as though they end abruptly, while the outfit styled with pointed-toe mesh pumps elongates the line and allows it to taper off gently, creating the illusion of increased height.
Shop Pointy-Toed Shoes
Margaux
If you know me, you know I RAVE about Margaux shoes. With an ultra-plush footbed, multiple widths and inclusive sizing, they are worth every penny and I own multiple pairs. The pointy-toe rule doesn’t apply exclusively to heels, so if you’re a ballet flats kind of gal, my money’s on these.
2. Stuart Weitzman Stuart Pump
Stuart Weitzman
Kitten heels are everywhere right now, and Stuart Weitzman makes an iconic pair. I have these as slingbacks, which are sadly discontinued. However, the Stuart pump, with its elegant V-cut, is a close match with a (very) manageable two-inch heel. While I wouldn’t designate these shoes as ones to wear running around New York City, I would wear them happily for an evening out.
Larroudé
A brand worn by both Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, Larroudé makes a coveted pair of pointed-toe leather boots, the Kate. They’re available in black and ivory, with a 3.8-inch stiletto heel and the brand’s signature cloud memory foam in the insole.
M.Gemi
PureWow’s Senior Director of Special Projects and Royals, Rachel Bowie, clocks in at 5’4’’ and raves about M.Gemi’s The Lustro, which features a 3.5-inch heel. “I am obsessed. I have worn them on numerous occasions and the block makes this shoe feel incredibly sturdy and balanced while keeping my feet blister-free and comfortable, too,” she says. “I have worn it for multiple hours in a row, to dinner parties but also work events.”
Vivaia
We all need a pair of machine washable shoes (because life is inevitably messy). And, mesh ballet flats are ubiquitous now, thanks to both Alaïa’s fishnet Mary Janes and The Row’s mesh slippers that hit the runways. After testing a pair of Vivaia flats last year, I was shocked at how comfortable and cushioned they were. With their Aria mesh flats, you can now be trendy and comfortable. Sounds like a double win to me.
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