Heeled Mules and Sandals: The Sebastian Milano Edit, 35 to 105 mm

Heeled mules are backless shoes with no strap at the heel, held on by the upper alone, which is why the fit across the top of the foot matters as much as the length. Sebastian Milano makes four heeled mules stocked in designer mules at Coveti, from the 35 mm Celine kitten mule to the 105 mm Frances, alongside six sandals, all made by hand in Italy. Two of them carry the house tassel heel, explained in our guide to Sebastian Milano tassel heels.

What is a heeled mule?

A mule is a shoe with no back: no strap, no counter around the heel. The toe is usually closed, sometimes partly open, and the heel can be anything from flat to very high. A heeled mule is simply that shape lifted onto a heel.

Because nothing holds the back of the foot, the upper does all the work. Fit guides agree that a mule should hug the ball of the foot and sit snug through the midfoot. A slight lift at the heel as you walk is normal; the whole shoe sliding forward is not. Mules tend to suit feet with a higher instep, which fill the upper, and can slip on lower-volume feet.

Do pointed-toe mules run small?

Some fit guides say pointed-toe mules run small. For Sebastian Milano, the house advice is to go half a size up when you are between sizes. Coveti stocks whole EU sizes from 35 to 42, so take the next whole size up. Our Sebastian Milano size guide has the full chart.

Sebastian Milano heeled mules

Frances Mule, 105 mm

The Frances is the tallest mule in the range. It is backless, with a pointed vamp that covers most of the foot, and that deep vamp is what keeps a 105 mm mule secure. It is lined in nude leather and finished with a nude recycled leather sole. The Frances Mule in black leather goes with evening tailoring, and the Frances in burgundy croc print is the one for autumn winter 2026/27, when burgundy is a strong shade. A cream leather version completes the set. At $720, it is the lowest price of any 105 mm heel in the range.

Martine Mule, 95 mm

The Martine slips on with no back strap and stands on the 95 mm house tassel heel, which a mule shows off better than any other shape. The Martine in silver and black textured leather is the evening pair. The black and cream high-shine patent version is the daytime one. Both are lined in nude goatskin leather with a black leather sole.

Vivi Mule, 70 mm

The Vivi Mule in burgundy patent has the same pointed, covering vamp as the Frances on a lower 70 mm heel, with silver buckles. It is the mule to wear to the office, and the burgundy patent makes it easy to pair with grey, navy and camel.

Celine Mule, a 35 mm kitten heel

The Celine is the lowest mule here, a slip-on with no back strap on a 35 mm kitten heel, with silver buckles. The Celine in black snake-effect leather adds texture to a plain outfit, and a burgundy patent version sits beside it. At $710 it is the lowest price of any Sebastian Milano mule at Coveti. For more low heels, see the best designer kitten heels.

Sebastian Milano sandals

The sandals split into three groups: fine-strapped 70 mm styles, 95 mm tassel heel sandals, and the 105 mm limited editions. All of them are in designer sandals at Coveti.

Afrodite and Simone, 70 mm

Both have fine straps and a slender 70 mm heel. The Afrodite comes in four textured patent leathers; the Afrodite in red patent with gunmetal buckles is the colour pick. The Simone Sandal is cut from black dupion silk with silver plated chains, and it is the most formal of the lower sandals, at $990.

Stella and Vanessa, 95 mm tassel heels

Both are open sandals with straps across the toes and around the heel, on the house tassel heel. The Vanessa in silver and black is $930 and also comes in black and red. The Stella is covered below, under gold.

Muse and Dada, the limited editions

Since Milan Fashion Week for Spring Summer 2024, the house has released one new design each fashion week in 99 numbered pairs. The Muse Sandal was the first, in patent leather with red crystals, a homage to the Philip Treacy hat worn by Grace Jones. The Dada Sandal was the second, with red patent lips that nod to Man Ray’s The Lips. Each pair is numbered on the insole. The full series is in our guide to Sebastian Milano limited edition heels.

Gold strappy sandals: Afrodite and Stella

Gold strappy sandals draw around 8,100 searches a month, and Sebastian Milano has two at different heights. The Afrodite in gold textured patent stands on 70 mm, the more comfortable height for a long evening, at $850. The Stella in gold grained leather stands on the 95 mm tassel heel with gold buckles, at $720. The Stella is listed in EU 41 only at the time of writing, so check sizes before you plan around it.

Gold works with black, navy, burgundy, deep green and cream. Keep jewellery in the same tone as the buckles. For more on styling, see how to wear gold heels, and for weddings, our Sebastian Milano bridal shoes guide.

How to wear heeled mules and sandals in autumn winter 2026/27

Mules carry on into colder months better than sandals, because the closed front keeps the toes covered. A Frances in burgundy croc print with wide wool trousers works well into November. Sandals are for evenings indoors, parties and travel to warmer places.

• Frances in black with a black trouser suit and a white shirt.
• Vivi in burgundy patent with grey flannel trousers.
• Celine in black snake effect with straight jeans and a long coat.
• Afrodite in gold with a black slip dress for the party season.

For more evening options across brands, see our edit of party shoes.

Caring for patent, silk and metallic leather

The house asks you to keep its shoes away from water, sun, heat, oils and alcohol, and to handle satin, crystals and embellishment carefully. Store each pair in its dust bag and box. That matters most for the Simone in dupion silk and for the Muse crystals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a heeled mule?

A heeled mule is a backless shoe on a heel, with no strap and no counter at the back. It is held on by the upper alone. That is why the fit across the top of the foot matters as much as the length.

How should heeled mules fit?

A heeled mule should hug the ball of the foot and sit snug through the midfoot without pinching. A slight lift at the heel as you walk is normal. If the whole shoe slides forward, the fit is too loose.

What heel heights do Sebastian Milano mules come in?

The Celine is a 35 mm kitten heel mule, the Vivi is 70 mm, the Martine is 95 mm on the house tassel heel and the Frances is 105 mm. Prices at Coveti run from $710 to $910. All four are made by hand in Italy.

Does Sebastian Milano make gold strappy sandals?

Yes. The Afrodite comes in gold textured patent on a 70 mm heel at $850. The Stella comes in gold grained leather with gold buckles on the 95 mm tassel heel at $720.

Are the Muse and Dada sandals limited editions?

Yes. Muse was the first Sebastian Milano numbered edition and Dada was the second, each made in 99 pairs and numbered on the insole. Both stand on 105 mm heels and are $1,140 at Coveti.