How to Style Strappy Heels: Outfits, Hems and Fit
How to Style Strappy Heels: Outfits, Hems and Fit
To style strappy heels, let the straps show: pair them with hems that stop above the ankle bone, and hem full length pieces so they skim the floor with only the toe on view. Black strappy sandals work with nearly every colour and fabric, while a red pair becomes the focal point of a neutral outfit. The Zimmermann pairs in the designer sandals edit sit on an 85mm heel, a height that carries you from a long lunch into dinner.
The two anchor pairs from the new Zimmermann Resort 2027 drop are the Solstice Sandal 85 in black patent leather, laced across the foot like a corset, and the Belara Sandal 85 in red, with hand crafted leather flowers on fine cage straps. Once the shoes are settled, our guide on how to wear drop earrings covers the jewellery and necklines that finish a strappy heel outfit.
Key facts
- Both the Solstice Sandal 85 and the Belara Sandal 85 have an 85mm heel, about 8.5cm.
- Solstice is patent lamb leather with corset inspired lacing, gold hardware and a squared toe.
- Belara is nappa leather with python embossed details, leather flowers, a slim buckle and a squared toe.
- Zimmermann says both fit true to size: Solstice runs EU 36 to 41, Belara EU 35 to 41.
- Both pairs are made in Italy, with leather lining and a calf leather outsole.
- Fit rule: an ankle strap should take one finger beneath it without sliding down your heel.
Are strappy heels in style in 2026?
Yes, strappy heels are very much in style, and the Zimmermann Resort 2027 shoe offer is built around them. The two new pairs share a squared toe and a mid height 85mm heel, and each puts its detail into the straps rather than the heel. On the Solstice, patent leather laces cross the foot the way a corset closes, finished with gold hardware. On the Belara, molded leather flowers sit on a delicate cage of straps, with python embossed leather adding texture up close.
That tells you where the shape is heading for the year: a squared toe in place of a sharp point, a heel you can stand in for a whole evening, and straps that read as decoration. A pair like this sits as comfortably with tailoring as it does with a gown, which is why a strappy sandal earns its place in a working wardrobe and a holiday case alike.
Are strappy heels classy?
Strappy heels are as polished as the outfit around them, and a fine strap in good leather on a moderate heel always reads as refined. The things that tip a strappy heel into costume are mismatched proportions: chunky hems collapsing onto delicate straps, a heel too high to walk in, and straps that dig into the skin. Get the fit and the hem right and a black patent pair looks as considered with a tuxedo jacket as with a slip gown.
Colour matters too. Black and nude tones are the quiet option. Red, metallic and embellished pairs like the Belara are statement shoes, so let them be the one loud note and keep jewellery and bag simpler around them.
How to wear strappy heels with dresses
Every dress length works with strappy heels, provided the hem leaves the straps visible and the toe on show.
Maxi dresses and gowns
A floor length dress needs hemming with the shoes on. The Clash Drape Maxi Dress is a full length viscose slip gown with a plunging V neckline, a low V back and fluid draped sleeves, so the hem should just kiss the floor with the Solstice on, letting the squared patent toe show at the front. The Clash Bow Maxi Dress has gathered satin drapes that already fall past the hem, so the lift of an 85mm heel keeps the rest of the gown clear of the ground as you walk. For more gown pairings, the Zimmermann gowns guide covers the full line up.
Midi dresses
Midi lengths are where strappy heels do the most work. A closed shoe under a midi hem can cut the leg; an open sandal keeps the line from hem to toe light. The Clash Print Bow Midi Dress, a linen silk blend with a boned bodice, a removable belt and a full flared skirt, looks crisp with black patent and softer with a red flower sandal.
Mini dresses
With a mini you see the whole leg, so the shoe sets the mood. The Clash Paisley Mini Dress is strapless with a pleated full skirt in a silk linen blend, and the red Belara turns it into a dinner outfit. Keep the heel at a walkable height with a short skirt; 85mm gives length without a teetering stride.
How to wear strappy heels with trousers
Two trouser lengths work with strappy heels: cropped above the ankle so the straps show, and full length flares hemmed to touch the floor with the heel on.
The Clash Jersey Flare Pant is a mid rise, full length pull on style in viscose jersey with an elasticated waist, and the flared leg falls neatly over a sandal. Have it hemmed with the Solstice on so only the squared toe peeks out. At the other end, the Clash Drill Capri Pant is a three quarter length cotton drill style with side split hems, which leaves the full strap pattern on display. Our capri pants styling guide goes further on cropped lengths.
The one length to avoid is the middle ground: a straight leg that ends exactly on the straps and bunches there. It hides the detail you paid for and makes the ankle look heavy.
Can you wear strappy heels with shorts?
Yes, and tailored shorts are the smartest way to do it. The Clash Tuxedo Bermuda Short is a high waisted, longline wool blend short with satin stripes at the side seams, cut to sit just above the knee. Add the matching Clash Lace Tuxedo Jacket with its satin lapels and black patent Solstice sandals, and you have a suit for an evening event that still feels like summer. The longer short balances the delicacy of the straps; very short shorts with a high strappy heel tip the look toward a nightclub.
What to wear with strappy heels by occasion
Match the strap detail to the formality of the event, and use the table below as a starting point.
| Occasion | Outfit | Strappy heel |
|---|---|---|
| Black tie | Clash Drape Maxi Dress, hemmed to the floor | Solstice Sandal 85 in black patent |
| Wedding guest | Clash Print Bow Midi Dress with its belt | Solstice Sandal 85 in black patent |
| Dinner date | Clash Paisley Mini Dress | Belara Sandal 85 in red |
| Evening drinks after work | Clash Tuxedo Bermuda Short and Clash Lace Tuxedo Jacket | Solstice Sandal 85 in black patent |
| Holiday lunch | Clash Drill Capri Pant and Clash Organza Shirt | Belara Sandal 85 in red |
For the holiday lunch, the Clash Organza Shirt comes with its own lace trimmed slip, so the sheer silk works over the capris without any extra layering.
How should strappy heels fit?
Strappy heels should hold your foot without pressing into it: straps flat on the skin, toes inside the edge of the sole, and the heel of your foot centred in the heel cup.
- Try shoes on later in the day, when feet are at their largest.
- Check the straps lie flat, with no gaps above them and no red marks below them after a few minutes of standing.
- Look down at your toes: they should stay on the footbed, not spill over the front edge.
- Fasten the ankle strap so one finger slides beneath it. Tighter pinches; looser lets the heel slip.
- Walk on a hard floor for a minute before deciding. An 85mm heel should feel steady with each step.
Zimmermann says both the Solstice and the Belara fit true to size, so take your usual EU size. If you sit between sizes, the open construction tends to favour the larger size so your toes stay on the sole.
How to make strappy heels more comfortable
Most strappy heel discomfort comes from friction and slipping, both easy to fix. Wear the shoes around the house for an evening before an event so the leather softens where the straps cross. Clear gel pads under the ball of the foot stop you sliding forward, and a little friction balm along the strap lines prevents rubbing. Leather lined pairs, which both Zimmermann styles are, mould to the foot faster than synthetic linings. The Zimmermann shoes guide covers the label’s other heights, from flats to mules, for days with more walking.
What colour strappy heels go with everything?
Black strappy heels go with everything, and a red pair is the most useful second colour.
- Black patent: works with every print, with tailoring and with evening colour. The shine reads formal, so it lifts denim and jersey too.
- Red: sharpest with black, white, denim, camel and chocolate. It also looks fresh against pastel pink and olive.
- Metallic and cream: a gold sandal behaves like a neutral at night, and a cream pair softens pastels and white for daytime weddings.
What not to wear with strappy heels
Skip opaque tights, heavy hems that pool on the foot and anything that competes with the straps. Sheer tights can work in cooler months with a black patent pair, but thick hosiery fights the open structure. Wide trousers that drag on the straps look unfinished. And with an embellished pair like the Belara, keep anklets and chunky ankle jewellery off, since the flowers already provide the detail.
Frequently asked questions
Are strappy heels classy?
Yes, when the straps are fine, the heel is moderate and the outfit is considered. A black patent pair such as the Zimmermann Solstice Sandal 85 looks refined with tailoring and evening dresses alike.
Are strappy heels in style in 2026?
Yes. Zimmermann built its Resort 2027 sandals around straps, with corset lacing on the Solstice and leather flowers on the Belara, both on an 85mm heel with a squared toe.
How do you wear strappy heels with trousers?
Choose trousers that stop above the ankle so the straps show, and hem full length flares with the shoes on so only the toe peeks out. Avoid a length that lands right on the straps.
What length dress goes with strappy heels?
Every length works, as long as the hem leaves the straps on view. Mini and midi dresses show the whole sandal, while a maxi dress should be hemmed with the heel on so it skims the floor.
How should strappy heels fit?
The straps should lie flat without pinching, your toes should stay on the footbed and an ankle strap should take one finger beneath it. Zimmermann says the Solstice and Belara sandals fit true to size.
How high is an 85mm heel?
An 85mm heel is about 8.5cm, a mid to high height that suits dinners, weddings and evening events while staying walkable for most people.
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