Sure, we’ve all been bewitched by a pair of towering stilettos worn by the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, but real life (as opposed to the red carpet) usually calls for something a little more wearable. But that’s not to say you need to sacrifice style for comfort’s sake – from Alexa Chung’s famous flats to Karlie Kloss’ crisp white kicks, these are the shoes favoured by the A-list, that won’t ruin your feet.
1/ Alexa Chung
Fashion icon Alexa Chung has long championed the ballet flat – but in her hands (or should that be feet?), the style is anything but pedestrian. The trick is to find a flat shoe with eye-catching design elements – here, the subtle pointed toe and suede finish elevate this pair above the ordinary. For similar, try the Vionic ‘Posey’ pointed flat shoe, with a fashion-forward perforated vamp made in inky black suede. Added bonus: secret built-in support, so you traipse around fashion week (or, ahem, the office) in comfort as well as style.
2/ Margot Robbie
Hate shoes that give you blisters on the back of your heels? Try a slide or mule instead. Margot Robbie shows us how it’s done at the premiere of Peter Rabbit, above – her tan-coloured suede shoes are the perfect anchor to her ladylike look.
3/ Chiara Ferragni
As Chiara Ferragni’s killer look proves, kitten heels elongate the legs without inflicting serious pain on your toes and balls of the feet. The kitten heel has made a major comeback in recent seasons – try a sophisticated black pair like the Vionic ‘Josie’ kitten heel, or make a statement by experimenting with bold colour – luckily for us, the ‘Josie’ also comes in red, green and even vibrant pattern.
4/ Olivia Palermo
All hail style queen Olivia Palermo, whose shoe collection is the envy of women the world over. These two-tone burgundy loafers are reason 146,387 why we love her. Sturdy yet stylish, they add a masculine edge to her fashion week ensemble.
5/ Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
For a comfortable shoe with timeless appeal, the two-tone ballet flat is every woman’s wardrobe MVP. Made famous by Chanel, it’s a look worn by countless celebrities, from the iconic Audrey Hepburn to present-day icons like Rosie Huntingon-Whiteley (pictured above). For a take on the classic design that offers uncompromising comfort, we love the Vionic ‘Minna’ ballet flat, with elegant bow detail and contrast toe cap (plus hidden support).
6/ Karlie Kloss
Karlie Kloss knows the power of a simple white sneaker to lend effortless edge to any outfit. White kicks might seem an odd choice to pair with all-black, but the key is in the contrast – pair yours with everything from a casual weekend look to feminine floral dress.
7/ Sienna Miller
Need a pain-free heel for your winter wardrobe? Sienna Miller has you covered. Her black leather booties with peekaboo toes offer a sturdy stacked heel that’s perfect for rainy winter nights – wear with tights or show off your pedi when the weather warms up. The Vionic ‘Blakely’ Bootie is the perfect match.
8/ Miranda Kerr
Model Miranda Kerr’s airport style wouldn’t be complete without a block heel – the double strap and chunky heel guarantee support, while the two-tone colour palette adds interest. We love how she’s continued the two-tone theme with her choice of bag.
