This Shoe Trend Used to Give Me the Ick, But Dakota Johnson Just Made It Look Incredibly Chic

I'm here for almost any shoe trend going; as a fashion editor, you learn fast how to put your personal preferences to the side and see ideas and trends through unbiased eyes. However, I need to get a little bit personal here, as I just saw an elite celeb wearing the one shoe style I've never been on board with, though she may have managed to change my entire opinion on them.

There’s just something about a closed-toe wedge that never quite sat right with me. With so much material enveloping the foot, then extending into a solid, weighty base, I often found the style more clunky than considered, a distracting element that disrupted, rather than elevated, an outfit. However, my stance has softened since spotting Dakota Johnson out this week, styling a pair of closed-toe wedges that, much to my surprise, I can only describe as genuinely chic.

Wearing New-York label Khaite's Colt Leather Mules (£880) in glossy black leather, the sleek design features a backless wedge that curves elegantly into a soft square toe, with a low vamp that reveals just enough of the foot to feel fresh. The open heel brought a welcome lightness to the look, balancing out the typically heavy silhouette of a closed-toe wedge.

Sticking to a sharp, all-black palette, Johnson started with a deep V-neck top in inky black, layering a longline leather jacket over the top and finishing with a tonal pair of black flared jeans. The high-shine wedges grounded the look, adding height and polish without veering into overstatement.

Rather than opting for a traditional raffia wedge that we often see in summer, Johnson’s sleek leather pair offered a sophisticated edge that integrated seamlessly into her monochrome ensemble. The fact that the heel is a mule, and, by proxy, open-back, is a big part of the reason they worked, and is precisely how many brands have tackled the style this season—that, or with a slingback design for balance.

To shop the shoe trend I'm finally converted on, scroll for my edit of the best closed-toe wedges available now.

SHOP CLOSED-TOE WEDGES: