The Sexy Shoes That Are Freaking Dominating From Los Angeles to Paris

Woman wearing gray coat, blue jeans, black slingback heels, and a black Chanel bag stands against wall.

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

If you ask any shoe lover, they'll tell you there's something particularly sexy about slingback heels. The style is a wardrobe staple but comes in and out of vogue depending on the season. Lately, however, slingbacks are officially back with a vengeance, making waves in fashionable wardrobes around the world. The style first took off in the 1940s among models and actresses who preferred a sexy, risqué look. Chanel's two-toned kitten-heel slingbacks debuted in 1957, making them one of the most popular slingback styles to date, but still, thousands of pairs remain up for grabs.

Slingback heels are an easy way to add polish to any outfit. Whether your day takes you back to the office or out for drinks, it's truly a day-to-night shoe style that rises to meet the occasion. Moreover, slingback styles come in a variety of heel heights and colors, so you're sure to find a pair that suits any situation—even if you're not usually one to pull out the pumps.

We're always excited about shoe shopping, so we've pulled 19 pairs of sexy slingback heels to browse below. Keep scrolling for our selections, plus a few outfit photos that demonstrate just a few ways to wear this subtle statement footwear.

Photo of a woman wearing black, low slingback heels stepping on a road.

(Image credit: @christietyler)

The cutest kitten heels.

Woman sitting on floor wearing crystal slingback heels.

(Image credit: @lindatol_)

From plain to perfectly put-together.

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(Image credit: @naaomiross)

Colorful and cool.

Woman sitting on park bench wearing all black and two-tone slingback heels.

(Image credit: @mie_juel)

Parisian chic.

Woman wearing white maxi skirt, grey suit jacket, red handbag and black slingback heels standing on crosswalk.

(Image credit: @sylivemus_)

Elevate your everyday outfit.

Woman sitting on chair in bedroom wearing green athletic jacket, sequin dress, knee-high navy socks and white slingback heels.

(Image credit: @himichelleli)

Play with shapes and silhouettes.

Woman wearing black slingback heels with legs crossed.

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Investment-worthy styles are easily found.

Drew Elovitz
Director of Content Strategy

Drew Elovitz is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has spent the last decade living and working in New York City. She earned a master's degree in media and popular culture from New York University, then began her career on the internet as the Twitter voice of Barbie. She worked previously at Who What Wear as the director of content strategy and also spent several years leading the social media teams at Teen Vogue and Entertainment Weekly. You'll find her byline on the site around topics such as celebrity fashion, must-have basics, beauty favorites (particularly nail polish), and wellness tips and tricks. Her personal style tends to favor the classics: She loves crisp white button-downs, sneakers, and skinny jeans—and no look is complete without a great pair of oversize sunglasses and a trusty leather jacket. After she finishes reading the entire internet every day, she can be found dining out at her favorite restaurants, trying new beauty treatments, or indulging her historical-fiction habit.