Nordstrom's May 2026 Half-Yearly Sale is happening right now, which means up to 50% through June 1. With only a few days left before items return to full price, I rounded up the best deals in the shoe section. As I browsed, I decided to skip the trendy styles and instead curate a list of timeless pairs that will stand the test of time: ballet flats, kitten-heel sandals, loafers, boots, and low-heel pumps.

Whenever there's a Nordstrom sale, I have a handful of brands I check first, such as Tory Burch. This time, my favorite sale item from the designer is the 30%-off Minnie Travel Ballet Flats. For those looking ahead to fall, the label's Violet T-Strap Flats are also marked down.

Among the other top-tier designer investment pieces, I was surprised to see Manolo Blahnik's stunning Carolyne Genuine Calf Hair Slingback Pumps discounted by 40%. For under-$100 options, there are a few from Marc Fisher: the $90 Arcee Sandals, the $96 Gradi Flats, and the $98 Antonia Sandals.

Below, shop the best on-sale shoes, including Coach, Vince, Mansur Gaviel, Sandy Liang, Valentino, and more.

The Best Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale Shoe Deals

Balenciaga's newly installed creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, won't try to sugarcoat it. “This collaboration came to life for very personal reasons. I simply like Manolo. That’s it," Piccioli said in a statement. Fair enough! "I know him personally and have admired him for a long time," he continued. "To me, Manolo Blahnik is synonymous with elegance, and as he’s Spanish, like Cristóbal Balenciaga, there’s a certain shared sensibility there."

The new collab consists of three crystal-embellished styles: slingback heels, slingback kitten heels, and slingback mules. The first style comes in four different colors: black, gray, yellow, and green. Meanwhile, the kitten heels come in black and purple, and the mules come in black and green. "Asymmetrical crystal leaf ornaments are hand-embroidered to drape across a low-cut vamp, echoing Blahnik’s distinct flair for applying equal parts preciosity and grace, fusing jewelry with footwear," Balenciaga explained in a press release. "These elegant gestures simultaneously recall archival 1960s Balenciaga bijoux, underscoring a consistent kinship and aesthetic symbiosis between creators." Scroll down to shop the full collection.

Working in fashion, it's second nature for editors to find (and share) affordable alternatives to investment pieces whenever we come across them. Often, retailers including Banana Republic, COS, Gap, and J.Crew are editor favorites for these types of timeless items. For example, associate fashion editor Nikki Chwatt covered how a pair of $98 J.Crew pants closely resemble Leset's Kyoto pants. She's talked about how Nordstrom's $50 kitten-heel sandals mimic Hailey Bieber's Toteme ones as well.

I've also written about how Tony Bianco Gatsby loafers remind me of The Row's Soft Loafers. There are also other widely loved options, such as Madewell Greta flat for The Row Ballet Flat, and Gap's 100% Cotton Oversized Sweater as a budget-friendly option for the Ophelia Sweater.

Most recently, when I was eyeing a pair of sold-out Manolo Blahnik Callamu 50 mules, I naturally started looking for something similar. I ended up getting the now also sold-out Stuart Weitzman Minimalist 50 sandal, but have since also come across Aeyde's Black Vero Leather Mules, too.

Below, shop these and more lower-cost options inspired by popular capsule wardrobe staples.

When a designer It item begins to take hold, it's not uncommon to see it pop up on all the celebrities and It girls of the moment within a several-month timespan, but when a designer item maintains its hold across decades and whole generations of well-dressed women, well, that's when it becomes truly eternal. Such is the case with many of Manolo Blahnik's iconic heels, but none are more relevant than the Callamu Mules and Callasli Slingbacks.

Throughout the '90s, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was a loyal wearer of the Callamu Mules, a simple pair of kitten heels with a crossover-strap design, which she famously wore to many black-tie occasions with dresses and maxi skirts. Since then, the heels haven't wavered in popularity, but this winter, Hailey Bieber has made the Callasli Slingbacks, a near-identical pair finished with a slingback strap, her new go-to. Hers are sourced from vintage seller The Vintage Marché, and her back-to-back outings in them have put the timeless heels back at the forefront of our minds.

In December alone, Bieber wore her Callasli Slingbacks three times, and each look included a pair of vintage jeans sourced from Denim by Orlee, a statement top, and the classic strappy heels.

For her 29th birthday, Bieber opted to pair her sequin top and Levi's jeans with gold Callasli Slingbacks, which she sourced from The Vintage Marché.

In one of the most beloved CBK images of all time, she's wearing a fluted black skirt with a crisp white button-down tucked into it and a pair of black Manolo Blahnik Callamu Mules. It's a timeless look that continues to be repeated to this day.

The most stylish minimalist dressers have lined their closets with the Callamu Mules that complement the staples in a pared-back closet especially well.

While the mules do lean sophisticated, fashion people are mixing them with more romantic silhouettes, like bias-cut dresses and slip skirts as well.

If you ask me (and many fashion people would agree), a pair of Callamu Mules in a neutral hue is one of the best shoe investments you can make.

Vintage curators like Lili Aghaei of The Vintage Marché and Julia Rabinowitsch of The Millennial Decorator are driving a renewed desire for vintage Manolos by sourcing classic styles like the Callamu and Callasli with croc embossing that bring a modern sensibility to the timeless styles.

Shop the Callamu and Callasli Heels

More Iconic Manolo Blahnik Heels

Flats might feel better on your feet, but let's face it—no shoes make an outfit look chicer and more elegant than a pair of classic stilettos. Whether you opt for a kitten-heel version or go full Zendaya with a 100-millimeter heel, it doesn't much matter as long as the lifting option you choose is as skinny as a pencil and the toe at the other end is pointed.

I, for one, can't wait for people to get their act together, and by that I mean put their flats into storage and bring back fashion's most timeless shoes. Fortunately, I don't think I'll have to wait long. For starters, I just returned from Milan Fashion Week, where classic stilettos were the shoes of choice for showgoers and locals alike. At the Gianvito Rossi presentation for fall/winter 2025, the Italian designer displayed his signature pumps in over 30 shades of suede, leaning into the tried-and-true silhouette for the season ahead. Trendsetting ready-to-wear brands like Prada and Saint Laurent are, too, opting for simple and refined skinny-heeled pumps in supple satin (Prada) and patent leather (YSL).

Another reason for this style's comeback? Angelina Jolie, of course.

On Angelina Jolie: Dior bag; Manolo Blahnik BB 90mm Suede Pumps ($825)

The Maria actress was spotted outside of Atelier Jolie—her New York City atelier (featuring a boutique, customization workshop, and café) located on Great Jones Street in the former home of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat—wearing a very Angelina Jolie ensemble: a black suit with a white scoop-neck top underneath, paired with a Dior St. Honoré bag and Manolo Blahnik suede pumps. She's the latest in a slew of stiletto sightings this year, and she won't be the last. Scroll down to shop the chicest and most anti-trend shoes, well, ever.

Shop stilettos:

Take it from someone who shops for a living: When it comes to shopping during the holidays, there is no better place than uptown New York. Yes, I've shopped in both Paris and London this time of year, and no, neither came close to strolling from Bergdorf Goodman to Louis Vuitton, stopping for lunch at a Madison Avenue café or bistro, and then heading north to Toteme, The Row, and Manolo Blahnik. Oh, and you have to pop into Zitomer, the best old-fashioned pharmacy north of 10th Street. (If you're downtown, C.O. Bigelow is a must, but that's a shopping destination for another day.)

What makes shopping uptown so elite this time of year is the festiveness of it all. Every elegant uptown hotel, from the Plaza to the Carlyle, is decorated for the holidays. The windows at Bergdorf's have been transformed, transporting passersby into an extravagant fantasy. One store or another is always handing out gourmet hot chocolate, and if they aren't, you can probably receive a complimentary glass of champagne inside if you do a little bit of shopping.

Unlike walking up Broadway in SoHo, the streets and stores on Madison and Fifth are never jam-packed, even on the busiest of holiday shopping days. Plus, you can always find a reprieve in Central Park or Bemelmans Bar. As cheesy as it sounds, shopping uptown toward the tail end of the year is pretty magical and something that no visitor or local should miss out on. To ensure that you hit all the best stops, I created the must-visit store guide below. Now, you have no excuse but to head uptown between now and January 1.

Nothing compares to walking into Bergdorf Goodman during the holidays and being met by organized and somehow chic chaos. Even though the store's tight corridors are filled from open to close with guests trying to find the perfect gift or holiday outfit, the energy is never overwhelming inside. Rather, I find myself wanting to stay for hours, perusing the end-of-season shoe sales, popping into designated boutiques, and watching other people shop to see what they're drawn to from the luxurious selection. Sometimes, if I feel like treating myself, I'll stop into BG for a light bite and a coffee or tea with a view of Central Park. Café Ginori also just opened in the iconic department store downstairs on the beauty level, and the tableware alone is worth checking out.

If you're in New York this holiday season, you'd be remiss not to stop into the city's most talked-about store: Louis Vuitton. Which one? Well, I'd argue both. If you're in the area, you'll likely spot dozens of people taking photos outside of the French house's viral trunk-wrapped flagship, which is currently undergoing a multiyear renovation and has an eye-catching exterior. Once you've seen it for yourself (photos really don't do it justice), you're free to pop across the street to the just-opened temporary store on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. Trust me. After perusing as many square inches of the place as I could gain access to on the morning of its big unveiling—including its two dining options in Le Café Louis Vuitton and Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric, both of which are opening stateside for the first time—I can tell you with certainty that it hardly has temporary energy. Then again, the largest fashion house there was never going to open just any store, even if it will likely only live on 57th Street for a few years. Did I mention that there's a very exclusive New York City–inspired collection that you can only buy there? Run.

Toteme's SoHo store might be bigger, but if you're not the type to wait in a line outside on a Saturday afternoon, I highly recommend heading to its uptown location instead. Located on Madison Avenue and 69th Street, the quaint boutique is nothing if not extremely chic. When you walk in, you're met with only a few sparse racks of beautiful clothing, a wall of It handbags, and a spiral staircase that you'll almost certainly want to take a photo of.

If you like shoes, stepping foot into the Manolo Blahnik flagship store on Madison Avenue for the first time will be a transcendent experience. Everywhere you look is a gorgeously constructed pair of pumps, boots, or flats, from the Maysale to the Hangisi, all of which are available in a kaleidoscope of colors. The space was designed by interior decorator David Thomas and inspired by the glamour of the Hollywood Regency. Think grand columns and black-and-white marble flooring.

Beauty lovers, meet your new favorite uptown destination. If you've never been to Zitomer on Madison Avenue and 76th Street, you're in for a treat. The pharmacy does a lot more than just fill prescriptions. It also houses rows of luxury skincare and makeup products from brands like 111Skin, Augustinus Bader, and Natura Bissé as well as French hair tools like the viral Mason Pearson brushes. It's dangerous to say the least, but also, it's a perfect place to get lost in while you warm up after window-shopping in the cold.

Whether you're in Paris or New York, visiting The Row is equivalent to stepping into a gallery or quaint art museum. Inside, you'll be immersed in quality, from the furniture to the art on the walls to, of course, the clothes, shoes, and handbags that are available on the sales floor. Bask in sumptuous cashmere, beautifully tailored outerwear and suiting, and plenty of Margaux bags (if you're lucky). If you're anything like me, you won't want to ever leave.

There are not one but two must-visit Ralph Lauren stores on Madison Avenue, one on the east side of the street and one on the west. On the east side is the Rhinelander mansion, otherwise known as Ralph Lauren's menswear flagship. Completed in 1898, the neo-Renaissance compound was originally built as a home for heiress Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo but remained mostly empty until Lauren purchased the space to make it into his retail store in 1986. According to the brand's website, the designer made a speech on the day the store opened: “New York can be a harsh place, and I want people to come in here and feel your warmth and feel like you really are inviting them into your home." Almost 40 years later, it still feels that way, especially during the holidays.

On the west side of Madison Avenue is the womenswear flagship store, a 22,000-square-foot building that Lauren had built in the beaux arts style, according to Architectural Digest. Though much newer than the men's store across the street, you wouldn't know it from looking at the space. It is undeniably exquisite and home to all sorts of treasures, from shearling coats to suede handbags.

It's been a little over a year since Argentinian Italian designer Veronica de Piante opened her New York store at 833 Madison Avenue, but it's already become an essential stop on every fashion person's uptown shopping tour. Inside the two-story boutique, you'll find the designer's signature elite tailoring and elegant silhouettes in a range of leather, silk, and cashmere, all of which were made in Italy, where de Piante was born.

The final stop on the tour has to be Elyse Walker, one of six stores the lauded purveyor of luxury clothes, shoes, and accessories has opened since 1999. (The first location was in the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles.) At the shop, located at 926 Madison Avenue, guests will be met with an expertly curated selection of designer goods, from suede handbags by Métier and Tod's to hard-to-find ready-to-wear items by Chloé and Miu Miu. Whether you need something to wear for an event or date night or are looking to finally splurge on that item you've been dreaming of for months, walking the extra few blocks to do it at Elyse Walker will never lead to disappointment.

These days, it's started to feel like shoes—even those of the high-priced, designer variety—go in and out of style quicker than you can blink. The trend cycle is moving faster and faster every season, making it increasingly difficult to decode which pairs are timeless and worthy of investing in and which are better off skipping. As someone who shops for a living, I run into this roadblock often, so much so that I've come up with a foolproof solution. Simply put, your best bet is to only invest in designer shoes with lasting appeal and the receipts to prove it. When I started to think about which pairs fit that description, one name, in particular, came to mind immediately: Maysale.

Manolo Blahnik's most famous shoes were designed in 1991 when Isaac Mizrahi requested kitten-heel mules with a "pilgrim buckle" from the Spanish footwear designer for an upcoming show. For over 20 years, the Maysale, with its many iterations and colourways, has been a tried-and-true favourite among the celebrity set thanks to its comfortable design and timeless aesthetic appeal. The original mules with a 50-millimetre heel and soft suede exterior are especially lauded, with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley recently sharing ways to style her tan pair in multiple Instagram posts and Hailey Bieber choosing an on-trend red version for a Rhode press event in New York City last summer. Moda Operandi's Lauren Santo Domingo, Laura Harrier, Rosalía, Riley Keough, and, most importantly, Mary-Kate Olsen, have all been spotted in the mules. The Row's designer wore Bieber's same red pair for an event way back in 2019.

Over the years, the Maysale product line has expanded, moving into bridal (think satin and crystal detailing), exploring various heel heights and closures, and even becoming flats. The latter venture, which is available in both a mule and closed-back option, is seeing a specific spike right now as demand for non-heeled footwear skyrockets. In one of her recent viral TikToks, supermodel Jasmine Tookes pulled off her black pair of Maysale mules mid-video to call out how "obsessed" she is with them, and if you've seen any of her posts, you know very well just how chic her recommendations are.

Scroll down to check out one of fashion's most relied-upon designer shoes.

Discover How Fashion People Are Wearing Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules:

On Hailey Bieber: Marc Jacobs dress; Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules; Ferragamo Wanda East-West Bag

On Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: The Row jeans and Sofia Mini Leather Shoulder Bag; Saint Laurent sunglasses; Manolo Blahnik Maysale 70mm Buckle Suede Mules

On Jasmine Tookes: Hermès bag; Manolo Blahnik Maysale Buckled Suede Point-Toe Flats

On Sophie Turner: AllSaints coat; Louis Vuitton ring; Manolo Blahnik Maysale 70MM Buckle Suede Mules

On Mary-Kate Olsen: Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules

Shop the Original 50-Millimeter Maysale Mules:

Shop New Iterations Of the Iconic Maysales:

Shop more from Manolo Blahnik:

These days, it's started to feel like shoes—even those of the high-priced, designer variety—go in and out of style quicker than you can pay them off on Klarna. The trend cycle is moving faster and faster every season, making it increasingly difficult to decide which pairs to splurge on and which are better off skipping or finding a more affordable alt for. As someone who shops for a living, I run into this roadblock often, so much so that I've come up with a foolproof solution. Simply put, your best bet is to only invest in designer shoes with lasting appeal and the receipts to prove it. When I started to think about which pairs fit that description, one name, in particular, came to mind immediately: Maysale.

Manolo Blahnik's most famous shoes were designed in 1991 when Isaac Mizrahi requested kitten-heel mules with a "pilgrim buckle" from the Spanish footwear designer for an upcoming show. For over 20 years, the Maysale, with its many iterations and colorways, has been a tried-and-true favorite among the celebrity set thanks to its comfortable design and timeless aesthetic appeal. The original mules with a 50-millimeter heel and soft suede exterior are especially lauded, with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley recently sharing ways to style her tan pair in multiple Instagram posts and Hailey Bieber choosing an on-trend red version for a Rhode press event in New York City last summer. Moda Operandi's Lauren Santo Domingo, Laura Harrier, Rosalía, Riley Keough, and, most importantly, Mary-Kate Olsen, have all been spotted in the mules. The Row's designer wore Bieber's same red pair for an event way back in 2019.

Over the years, the Maysale product line has expanded, moving into bridal (think satin and crystal detailing), exploring various heel heights and closures, and even becoming flats. The latter venture, which is available in both a mule and closed-back option, is seeing a specific spike right now as demand for non-heeled footwear skyrockets. In one of her recent viral TikToks, supermodel Jasmine Tookes pulled off her black pair of Maysale mules mid-video to call out how "obsessed" she is with them, and if you've seen any of her posts, you know very well just how chic her recommendations are.

Scroll down to check out one of fashion's most relied-upon designer shoes.

On Hailey Bieber: Marc Jacobs dress; Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules ($795); Ferragamo Wanda East-West Bag ($2500)

On Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: The Row jeans and Sofia Mini Leather Shoulder Bag ($2990); Saint Laurent sunglasses; Manolo Blahnik Maysale 70mm Buckle Suede Mules ($795)

On Jasmine Tookes: Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Button-Down Shirt ($168); Saint Laurent Glossed-Leather Belt ($575); Hermès bag; Manolo Blahnik Maysale Buckled Suede Point-Toe Flats ($795)

On Sophie Turner: AllSaints coat; Louis Vuitton ring; Manolo Blahnik Maysale 70MM Buckle Suede Mules ($795)

On Mary-Kate Olsen: Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules ($795)

Shop the original 50-millimeter Maysale mules:

Shop new iterations of the iconic Maysales:

Shop more from Manolo Blahnik:

When it comes to fashion, 2023 may have been Sofia Richie's best year ever. Not only has the style star been spotted wearing head-to-toe Prada, Khaite, and Proenza Schouler on the regular, but she also had an unforgettable wedding complete with several custom Chanel outfits. To say she's got good taste would be an understatement. 

But it's true: Richie has an incredible sense of personal style and can put together a look using a combination of the simplest but most versatile basics that could be part of anyone's wardrobe. Yes, even some of her most casual outfits are still designer—that's the quiet luxury trend at work—but that doesn't mean they can't easily be replicated using a combination of high-end and more affordable pieces. 

So we've picked out seven of Richie's best looks that are comprised mostly of wardrobe basics and found similar pieces to shop. From the classic white T-shirt to surprising accessories and several pairs of sunglasses, there are just a few key pieces needed to achieve her everyday and even more elevated looks. Just stick to the basics, and you'll be on your way to sporting Sofia Richie's celeb style soon.

On Sofia Richie: Khaite shirt; Manolo Blahnik shoes; Khaite sunglasses; Loewe bag

On Sofia Richie: Dior top; Saint Laurent pants; Khaite shoes; Loro Piana bag

On Sofia Richie: Loro Piana jacket, skirt, and bag; Saint Laurent shoes

On Sofia Richie: Khaite tTshirt, pants, boots, and bag

On Sofia Richie: Proenza Schouler dress and bag; Manolo Blahnik shoes; Saint Laurent sunglasses

On Sofia Richie: Prada top, pants, coat, shoes, sunglasses, and bag; Anita Ko jewelry

On Sofia Richie: Bottega Veneta sunglasses; The Row bag; Dior shoes

You might be glad (or sad) to hear that Cyber Month is coming to an end. Black Friday has been and gone now, but for those of you who have stuck it out and left your shopping to these last few days, you're about to be rewarded. It is, of course, Cyber Monday time, and in a lot of cases the discounts are better than ever. In this year's sales you might be on the lookout for the best homeware deals, or the best clothing deals; perhaps you need a chic new coat, or to upgrade your winter staples from the high street. Me? I'm shopping for Christmas gifts, and, yep, you guessed it—shoes. 

What can I say? I'm a shoe girl! There's nothing quite like the rush of unboxing a new pair of shoes, especially when you really, really love them and can't wait to wear them again and again. Whether it's a fresh pair of dependable black boots, or the sparkliest heels—a great pair of shoes can transform your whole season's wardrobe. I don't know about you, but since I only ever have a handful of really great pairs on rotation, I tend to get the most cost per wear out of my footwear too. So, when an opportunity like Cyber Monday comes along to invest in some shoe styles that I know I'm going to wear to death, for a lot less, I relish it. 

Below, I've rounded up the very best Cyber Monday shoe deals for you to shop now. From the best trainer deals, to the best boots. There's plenty of ridiculously pretty heels on sale that would send Carrie Bradshaw into a frenzy, and will set you up perfectly for the party season ahead. And if you're more of a flats girl, I've found deals on loafers, ballet flats and even some sneaky discounts on cosy UGGs that are actually in stock. You're welcome! Scroll on down to shop.

BEST CYBER MONDAY BOOTS DEALS

BEST CYBER MONDAY TRAINER DEALS

BEST CYBER MONDAY HEELS DEALS

BEST CYBER MONDAY FLAT SHOE DEALS

More Cyber Monday Deals to Shop:

The Best Clothing Deals: Trust Me, These Are the Only Cyber Monday Sales You Need to See

The Best Beauty Deals: Cyber Monday Is the Best Time to Buy Beauty—27 Deals I'm Already Shopping

The Best Coat Deals: It Makes Sense to Buy Coats on Sale—26 Chic Styles on Offer Right Now

I don't know about you, but there's nothing I enjoy more from the celeb set than when they go all out with a theme. (I'm looking at you, Margot Robbie.) That's exactly what Hailey Bieber's done for the New York City press tour of her latest Rhode launch, the Strawberry Glaze Peptide Lip Treatment designed in collaboration with Krispy Kreme. 

For the trip—which included an event at the Krispy Kreme flagship store in Times Square, a stint on Good Morning America, a Ferrari-red Corvette convertible, and a helicopter ride—Bieber wore not one but three looks in a single day, all of which featured the color on everyone's lips right now: bright, fiery red.

First, she was spotted leaving the GMA offices wearing a drapey red midi dress from Vivienne Westwood's fall 2023 collection, paired with matching sky-high Maison Ernest sandals and Ferragamo's buzzy Wanda bag. She then traveled downtown to Tribeca, exiting her van in an equally drapey fall 2023 Marc Jacobs minidress in white, paired with the same Ferragamo top-handle bag and new Manolo Blahnik Maysale mules in the vibrant color. After a quick outfit change at Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York, one of NYC's hottest new hotels, Bieber stepped out in a red corset-style strapless minidress by Ermanno Scervino styled with the same Maison Ernest heels from earlier in the day and a matching Courrèges bag. It's as if she and her stylist, Dani Michelle, had a color palette in mind…

Below, see every one of Bieber's Strawberry Glaze launch looks, all of which prove that the red trend from the fall/winter 2023 runways is here to stay. 

On Hailey Bieber: Marc Jacobs dress; Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules ($795); Ferragamo Wanda East-West Bag ($2500)

On Bieber: Vivienne Westwood Ginnie Draped Recycled-Crepe Dress ($901); Maison Ernest Lydylle Rouge 10 Patent Leather Heels ($539); Ferragamo Wanda East-West Bag ($2500)

On Bieber: Ermanno Scervino dress; Maison Ernest Lydylle Rouge 10 Patent Leather Heels ($539); Courrèges bag

See more photos from the launch: 

Shop the only color trend that matters in 2023:

From Margot Robbie to Marie Antoinette—well, at least that’s the case in Sofia Coppola’s dreamy cinematic universe—every fashion icon throughout history has owned a pair of Manolo Blahniks.

However, for a label so ubiquitous that the mere muttering of the Spanish designer's name conveys a sensation of opulence and taste, credit must be rightfully given to Sarah Jessica Parker and legendary costume designer Patricia Fields for making the luxury brand a household sensation through their work in Sex And The City.

As noteworthy as the relationships Carrie Bradshaw chronicled in her fictional column, the beloved character’s relationship with the shoes spanned six seasons of a TV series, two films and a subsequent spin-off.

In fact, many of her most iconic moments from the franchise either had the lovelorn writer sporting a pair of its trademark candy-coloured designs or prompted her stickiest situations. See: A frenetic and slightly tipsy shriek over a pair of patent Mary Janes that she calls an “urban shoe myth” while in the VOGUE fashion cupboard, fighting with a friend over their request to go shoeless leaves her Manolos to be stolen at a baby shower and being robbed at gunpoint over the strappy gold style she’s wearing.

It’s this kind of cultural magnitude that has cemented them as an item lusted over by every elegant dresser. Almost like a rite of passage, many fashionable people that I count as friends have made a pilgrimage to the brand’s Burlington Arcade to nab a style, while others I know have alerts set up on their favourite online stores to be notified as soon as a new collection drops.

For me, my first and only pair was purchased by chance in a rushed shopping spree through Osaka’s hip shopping district, Orange Street. I had only half an hour before I had to depart for the airport, and in that time, I managed to find a pair of almost brand-new white leather pumps with decorative blue suede scallop piping hiding at the back of this palatial vintage store. Thanks to Japan’s culture of cleanliness and an incredibly favourable exchange rate, I managed to snag them for a mere £50. (A price Carrie Bradshaw would certainly approve of.)

But with an illustrious career that spans five decades, it’s not hard to mythologise a brand that’s become so synonymous with sophistication. It’s the shoes that Princess Diana paired with her revenge dress and Bianca Jagger wore while riding a horse into Studio 54, after all!

So, whether you’re a first-time shopper or a shoe connoisseur, I’ve taken it upon myself to round up the most iconic silhouettes that every style insider should know. (And hopefully own one day.) Scroll on ahead for the best Manolo Blahnik shoes.

The 6 Best Manolo Blahnik Shoes to Invest In

1. Maysale

Style Notes: What began as an exclusive shoe designed for Isaac Mizrahi's spring/summer 1991 runway collection has blossomed into Manolo Blahnik’s signature creations. The buckle was derived from the shoes, flouncy ruffles and taut collars worn by pilgrims who colonised the United States of America in the early 17th Century. However, the look couldn’t be further from the puritanical dress codes it derived its shape from, with the shoe swiftly becoming a favourite of rebellious sartorialists like Madonna and Lisa Evangelista soon after its inception. (Less The Crucible and more The Craft.) Now, it’s seen on everyone from Hailey Bieber to the Olsen Twins.

Shop the Shoe:

2. Carolyne

Style Notes: Deriving its name from two iconic Carolynes— socialite and artist Carolyne Roehm and late Calvin Klein publicist Carolyn Bessette Kennedy—it’s fitting that the shoe has since become a staple worn by every iteration of It girl imaginable. With a low, comfortable and slightly fluted heel, a flexible slingback shape and a refined pointed toe shape, this shoe is the kind of thing that you can fling on casually with denim jeans or an ethereal dress, only to find whatever you’ve paired with it is made more beautiful, just as Gracie Abrams and Riley Keough have proven here.

Shop the Shoe:

3. Callasli

Style Notes: One of the most sensual designs in Manolo Blahnik’s oeuvre, the Callasli is an open-toe sandal that features crossover straps and a stiletto high heel before cascading into a beautiful slingback shape that caresses the very top of the ankle. Evoking a sense of Tom Ford for Gucci-era sexiness and glamour associated with Italian silver screen starlets like Sophia Loren, this is a shoe made for movement. As the designer said himself: “It's light, it gives a lot of leg, and it's barely there!”

Shop the Shoe:

4. Hangisi

Style Notes: Sofia Coppola’s 2006 adaptation of Marie Antoinette’s life wasn’t the only time Manolo Blahnik came face to face with Parisian ostentatiousness and aristocracy. In fact, the vibrant and jewel-encrusted Hangisi, which some may recognise as Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding shoes, took inspiration from another member of France’s high court, Josephine Bonaparte. The former Empress was known to adore a pump with a decorative buckle, as was the contemporary fashion, and nearly two centuries after her death in 1814, Blahnik paid homage to her by debuting the shoe in his Spring 2008 collection. Each shoe is made with 144 Swarovski crystals, a bold act that might’ve sent his muse to the guillotine, but certainly a fitting homage to the extravagance synonymous with the era.

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5. Leva

Style Notes: Bringing things firmly into the 21st Century is the lace-up Leva style. With a slim strap that weaves and wraps up around the ankle, this sexy shoe is the perfect accompaniment to any glitzy mini or piece of party wear. Slightly bratty but still made with the expert Italian craftsmanship the brand is renowned for, expect these to be a Saturday night staple.

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6. BB Pumps

Style Notes: Drawing inspiration from another jet-setting tastemaker, the BB shoe is a classic court pump named after Brigitte Bardot. A hallmark of French New Wave cinema and the ultimate blonde bombshell, the timeless shape pays homage to the effortless elegance of the actress and her Saint Tropez cohort.

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Why Are Manolo Blahnik Shoes So Iconic?

Manolo Blahnik shoes are not only iconic, but amongst the best in the business, because of their craftsmanship, elegance, excellent designs and celebrity followers.

While Christian Louboutin has it red bottoms and Jimmy Choo has its glistening embellishments, Manolo Blahnik takes a more subtle approach to shoes with charming sophistication and ethereal femininity tantamount to everything he creates, whether it be a pair of strawberry macaron pink velvet strappy sandals reminiscent of the ones her created for the aforementioned biopic or marigold suede pumps with fringing inspired by opulent furnishings and fixtures found in 18th-century Austrian palaces and the palettes of the romantic art movement.

The brand was founded in 1970 after Blahnik set up shop in a quaint Chelsea studio and has been a pioneer of whimsicality and refinement ever since, 55 years later.

What Celebrities Wear Manolo Blahnik Shoes?

The starry celebrities who wear like Manolo Blahnik shoes read like the guest list to the most prestigious events in the fashion industry: Princess Diana, Rihanna, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, Elle Fanning, Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Aniston, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter... Need I go on?

How Much Were Manolo Blahniks in the '90s?

Given the fact that Manolo Blahnik shoes were so prolific in the '90s, it has spurred a lot of first-time luxury shoppers and curious style lovers who were born after the new millennium to wonder just how the shoes became so widespread in the decade. Of course, when we also have the historical archive that is Sex And The City, including an episode where Carrie Bradshaw realises she's gone into debt after buying one too many pairs, there are a lot of first-hand accounts that tell us how much Manolo Blahnik shoes actually were in the '90s.

Back in the '90s, a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes would've cost you £400. Today, styles begin at £650, which is not a steep increase considering the amount they would've cost thirty years ago would now actually retail over £950 if you factor in an average inflation of 2.5% each year. (And yes, I did the math so you don't have to.)

While I, of course, bagged mine for such a steal, the box-fresh price isn't that outrageous when you consider how staggering other high-end goods have become. Plus, there are a ton of vintage options in circulation on leading resale platforms and through second-hand stores, so you can always find a pair that might still boast the '90s price tag.

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