If You're Over Kitten Heels, This French-Girl Heel Trend Is What Stylish People Are Wearing Instead

I own more pairs of kitten heels than one person should—I'm fully aware of this. I love them and have yet to tire of the elegant style, but I know that some people are ready to move on to the next thing given kitten heels' lengthy reign as the top heel trend. Expert shopper Charlize Theron just wore the top contender: block heels.
I know there's nothing groundbreaking about block-heel shoes, but they have been on a bit of a hiatus for the past few years—never going out of style but not feeling as trend-forward as other heels. That said, block heels have always been a staple in French women's wardrobes, especially Mary Jane styles like Theron's. While promoting her new film in NYC this week, she wore a navy sweater with a printed brocade miniskirt. Her bright-red Chloé patent-leather shoes were an unexpected choice with the outfit, but they worked beautifully and proved that red is practically a neutral given its versatility.
For further proof, keep scrolling to see Theron's look and fellow block heel–loving women who happen to be French. Of course, you can also shop some of the best pairs of block-heel shoes currently on the market.
On Charlize Theron: Chloé sweater and Janis Pumps ($1195); Dior sunglasses
French Women Who Love Block Heels
Shop Cool Block Heels

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
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