When I’m stuck for styling inspiration, my first port of call is always the French. With a natural knack for making their everyday outfits feel more elevated than the rest, I like to touch base with the hero items circulating the French fashion set’s wardrobe come the turn of the season, to see if I can bolster my own rotation with any outfit-enhancing buys. This time around I’ve been paying special attention to the shoes they’re using to enhance their styling, and I’ve come across a particularly chic silhouette that seems to run through the very chicest French women’s wardrobes.

Skirting trainers and side-stepping chunky boots, the Parisian style set is stepping out in pointed-toe slingbacks on repeat right now—an ideal midpoint between the ease of flats and the formality of full-height court shoes.

Why is it that so many French women are wearing them right now? For starters, the elongated pointed toe sharpens any outfit, lending a polished, intentional energy without requiring a full head-to-toe overhaul. Whether paired with relaxed denim, tailored trousers, floaty skirts, or sleek evening dresses, the silhouette has a transformative quality that always elevates.

Then there’s the slingback strap—whereas a classic pump can skew a little prim, the slingback reads modern and unfussy. It offers subtle support without compromising on sophistication and adds enough interest to make an otherwise minimal outfit feel styled. It’s exactly the kind of quietly clever detail the French rely on to keep their looks feeling effortless rather than overworked.

Another reason Parisians are gravitating toward the style is its sheer versatility. Think of them as the perfect “in-between” shoe: elevated enough for dinners and events, yet unfussy and considered enough for daytime occasions.

As the new season unfolds, expect to see even more variations emerging—from glossy patent finishes and demure kitten heels.