Over the last year, we’ve been repeatedly told that wedge heels are supposedly ‘back’. The signs are there: Chemena Kamali’s Chloé AW24 debut had a front row full of cork wedges and everyone – like Lily-Rose Depp – has been wedged out all summer. Plus, we’ve seen flip-flop style wedges on Coperni’s runway and Alaïa recently brought out a cut-out sculptural wooden take on the shape. Yet, simultaneously, there have been heated discussions online about whether it’s still acceptable to wear them out. It begs the question – can you wear wedges to the club?
While it can be hard to imagine wearing wedge heels anywhere except a beach house in the Hamptons, lately I’ve been curious about how it feels to walk on a slight incline. As someone who’s never worn a wedge, I’ve become determined to transition them into my wardrobe seamlessly (and wear them on a night out). For some newbies, cork heels are the gateway into the world of wedges and, for others, it’s Ferragamo’s new sexy pump wedge heels. Wedge enthusiasts may even dig through the online vintage market to invest in bolder designs like Chloë Sevigny’s Opening Ceremony buckle wedges worn by the likes of Leighton Meester, back in the golden day of wedge. For me personally, however, it’s been subtle wedge boots that have helped me step into the category (slow and steady).
At this point in the wedge renaissance, there are plenty of new releases to experiment with. Below, we share the best low-key gateway heels and evening wedges worthy of an inclined walk into the club.
