Designer Slingback Heels: How to Choose the Height, Fit and Style

The slingback is a closed toe shoe with an open back held by a strap around the heel. It is one of the most useful heels you can own: smarter than a sandal, lighter than a pump, and right for an office, a wedding and a dinner. US Google searches for “slingback heels” run at about 18,100 a month, and “kitten heel slingbacks” another 1,000. The details that matter are the heel height, the strap and the toe shape. Coveti carries 21 Alaia slingbacks from $1,610 to $2,310, from a flat Le Coeur to a 120 mm wedge. This guide explains how to choose.

Key facts

• What it is: a closed toe shoe with an open back and a strap around the heel.
• Heights: flat, kitten (30 to 55 mm), mid (75 mm) and high (90 mm and up).
• Strap: an elastic strap is easier to wear; a buckle can be adjusted.
• At Coveti: 21 Alaia slingbacks, $1,610 to $2,310.
• Fit: Alaia recommends one size up in its Le Coeur 90 slingbacks.

Choosing the height

For all day wear, a kitten heel of 30 to 55 mm is the easiest. The Le Coeur Slingbacks 55 has a 55 mm heel and the Invisible Wedge Slingbacks a 30 mm transparent wedge. For evening, 90 mm gives the classic slingback line, as on the Le Coeur Slingbacks 90 and the Wave Slingbacks. The Cube Slingbacks sit between at 75 mm on a block heel. For a flat option, the Le Coeur Flat Slingbacks.

The strap and the fit

The strap is what keeps a slingback on. Elastic straps flex as you walk; buckled straps can be tightened. Pointed toes run longer than almond toes, so try your usual size and check that the strap sits just above the heel bone without digging in. Alaia recommends one size up in its Le Coeur 90 slingbacks; its other slingbacks carry no fit advice.

Toe shape

A pointed toe lengthens the leg and looks sharp with tailoring. An almond toe is softer and easier with dresses. The Le Coeur family adds a heart cut at the front of the shoe, the Bloom a padded flower, and the Drop an elegant stripe.

How to wear slingbacks

With cropped tailored trousers, a slingback shows the ankle and the strap. With a midi skirt and a fine knit, it gives a polished, slightly retro line. With a slip dress at night, a 90 mm heel finishes the look. In print, the Drop slingbacks come in vichy and polka dots for a playful note.

Slingback heights at a glance

House heel heights.

Slingback heels to buy

1. Le Coeur Flat Slingbacks in Patent Calfskin, Black, $1,610

Flat slingbacks. Heart cut at the front of the shoe. 100% calfskin, 100% polyurethane. Made in Italy.

2. Invisible Wedge Slingbacks in Patent Calfskin, Black, $2,150

Wedge slingbacks with transparent tappered plexi heel. Pointy toe. Heel height 30 mm. 100% patent calfskin. Made in Italy.

3. Le Coeur Slingbacks 55 in Patent Leather, Black, $1,770

Kitten heel slingbacks with the signature heart cut at the front of the shoe. Adjustable buckle closure on the side. Heel height 55 mm. 50% patent calfskin, 50% polyurethane, heel 5,5 cm. Made in Italy.

4. Cube Slingbacks in Suede, Lilac, $1,840

Heeled slingbacks with cubic heel. Elastic back strap. Heel height 75 mm. 100% goatskin. Made in Italy.

5. Drop Slingbacks in Polished Goatskin, Smoke Brown, $1,930

Drop slingbacks with elegant stripe and back elastic. Pointed toe. Heel height 90 mm. 100% goatskin. Made in Italy.

6. Le Coeur Slingbacks 90 in Patent Leather, Black, $1,930

Slingbacks with the signature heart cut at the front of the shoe. Adjustable buckle closure on the side. Heel height 90 mm. 100% polyurethane, 100% calfskin. Made in Italy.

7. Bloom Slingbacks in Nappa, Red, $1,990

Kitten heel slingbacks with a padded poppy flower cut at the front of the shoe. Pointed toe. Heel height 90 mm. 50% polyurethane, 50% patent calfskin. Made in Italy.

8. Wave Slingbacks in Suede, Black, $1,990

Heeled slingbacks with sculptural heel. Elastic slingback strap. Heel height 90 mm. 100% goatskin. Made in Italy.

Buying Alaia at Coveti

Every piece is authentic and checked before dispatch, and ships worldwide by insured express courier (DHL Express and FedEx International Priority). On US orders Coveti covers the majority of import duties, and the delivery FAQ has the detail; most other regions ship Delivered Duty Unpaid. Shoes are listed in the EU sizes the house makes, with sold out sizes shown as unavailable. Full terms are in the logistics and returns protocol.

Frequently asked questions

What is a slingback heel?

A shoe with a closed toe and an open back, held on by a strap around the heel.

What is a kitten heel slingback?

A slingback with a low heel, usually 30 to 55 mm, such as the Alaia Le Coeur Slingbacks 55.

Are slingbacks comfortable?

With a low heel, a block heel and an elastic strap, yes. Choose 55 mm and under for long days.

Should slingbacks fit tight?

The strap should sit just above the heel bone without digging in, and the foot should not slide forward.

Do Alaia slingbacks run small?

The house recommends one size up in the Le Coeur Slingbacks 90. Other styles carry no fit advice.

How much are Alaia slingbacks?

$1,610 to $2,310 at Coveti on 14 October 2026.

Read next

The Alaia shoes guide, red ballet flats, designer thong sandals, the Alaia size guide.

More Alaia guides

Who was Azzedine Alaia, the Alaia ballet flats guide, the Alaia bags guide, the Alaia shoes guide, the Alaia size guide, and the full Alaia collection at Coveti.

Sources and method

Checked on 14 October 2026 by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti. Product facts (materials, heel heights, dimensions, sizes and country of manufacture) are the brand’s own product-page text; prices and counts are the live Coveti catalogue on that date and move with stock. Where a claim could not be checked it was left out.

• maison-alaia.com, Shoes: product pages read on 14 October 2026 (heel heights, materials, sizes, Made in Italy)
• DataForSEO Google Ads search volume, United States, read 14 October 2026
• Coveti, logistics and returns protocol
• Coveti live catalogue, 14 October 2026: prices, sizes and stock

Gemma Deeks is Fashion Editor at Coveti. Prices, sizes and stock on this page were checked against coveti.com and maison-alaia.com on 14 October 2026.