Why Everyone's Wearing The New Wedge

If your wake-up Instagram scroll and smile lines weren’t enough to remind you, it’s not the Noughties anymore. But given the proliferation of wedge heels recently, you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. This is a new decade, you want to shake their wearers and say. We’ve moved on! Right?

Well, wrong. The supportive heel is back and, to be honest, our arches are crying out in relief. Height with added comfort? Yes, please.

But let’s be very clear: this is not the same wedge heel of decades past. The humble wedge has returned to the scene with an edgy makeover. In its new iteration, it is often bold, sculptural and angular. It has outgrown its associations with nouveau bohemians and summer boat parties — it’s as if your chic gallerist friend took over a seaside shack and imbued it with darkness and a bit of edge.

There are literally more edges to these new-age wedges: their heels are often sharp and sculpted, their toes dangerously pointed. From the minimalist to the geometric, they’re playing with proportions where their predecessors played it safe.

The humble wedge has returned to the scene with an edgy makeover

“Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely styles that have taken notes from the wedges we saw in the 2000s,” says stylist Tara Morris, who put together our wedge edit below. Brands like the Spanish Castañer offer options for those seeking the classic espadrille style, but many styles in her selection tend towards the bold and artful. “The update that brings us to the present is the sculptural element, as with the Bottega and Ferragamo styles.”

Despite aesthetic refurbishments, the best parts of the wedge remain. “The wedge heel is so open to interpretation, which is what I love about the style. Most of these styles can take you day to night. And you have the added bonus of comfort from not teetering around in a regular heel.”

Match a sleek, minimal black pair with your everyday workwear for a little extra punch without too much added discomfort, or style them with a flirty midi to pare back an otherwise romantic look. “I really love the minimal design of the St Agni pair,” says Morris. Her ideal outfit match? “Tailored pants and a tank top for ultimate 00’s refined, simplistic styling.”