The Best Slingbacks

A good slingback earns its keep by doing something a court shoe cannot: it holds the foot with a slim strap rather than a closed back, which means the shape of the shoe reads lighter on the leg even when the heel height is doing serious work. That’s the real appeal. The vamp sits low, the toe is usually pointed or a soft almond, and the strap should have some give, either elastic or an adjustable buckle, because a slingback that grips too hard at the ankle will slip at the heel instead, which defeats the point entirely. Look at how the strap is set into the topline. If it’s stitched flat and sits close to the foot, it stays put through a long day. If it’s an afterthought, tacked on, it works its way loose by the second wear.

Leather or a good leather look holds its shape at the sides of the foot, which matters more than people expect, since a slingback with no structure through the quarters will splay and look tired within a season.

Heel height is a matter of occasion rather than principle. A low block or kitten heel earns its place in the working week, worn with tailored trousers that skim the shoe rather than swamp it, or under a straight skirt where the ankle strap gives a clean, deliberate finish. A higher stiletto version belongs to evenings, worn bare legged with a slip skirt or a tailored dress, where the exposed heel and the strap both do the job of making the leg look longer without any fuss.

They sit well with cropped trousers, which is where a lot of their charm lives, since the ankle detail has something to do rather than disappearing under fabric. They also do the quiet work of dressing up a plain shift dress without tipping into anything fussy, because the shoe itself carries enough interest.

The mistake worth avoiding is treating them as a pure summer shoe. A slingback in a heavier leather, worn with opaque tights and a coat that stops above the knee, carries through autumn perfectly well. What matters most, in the end, is the strap doing its job properly, because a slingback that fights you all day is worse than no strap at all.

Top Picks

SLINGBACKNATURALIZERNaturalizer Ginger Slingback Shoes, Walnut Brown Faux Raffia Fabric, 7.5M Block Heels, Strap

$119.99 $89.99 NATURALIZER

SLINGBACKIFCHICChlo Calfskin Leather Slingback Pumps - IT

$895.00 $581.75 IFCHIC

SLINGBACKW CONCEPT (US)Dandelion Slingback Sandals - 3 Colors

$206.00 W CONCEPT (US)

FAMOUS FOOTWEARBearpaw Women's Lexi Slingback Water Resistant Clog Shoes (Peony) - Size 10.0 $79.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Sarto Inali Slingback Flat Shoes (Natural Beige Faux Raffia) 7.5 M Round Toe, Ankle Strap, Buckle Closure $150.00 FRANCO SARTO

FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Rory Dress Sandal (Bronze Multi Faux Leather) 5.5 M Square Toe, Slingback, Buckle Closure $150.00 FRANCO SARTO

FARMRIOBrown Monstera Slingback Rain Clog, CUOIO $78.00 FARMRIO

W CONCEPT (US)Round Slingback Shoes $221.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Vienna Sheep Leather Slingback (4cm) $240.00 W CONCEPT (US)

GODDIVAGoddiva Rhinestone Slingback Heeled Court Shoes $58.00 GODDIVA

J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Lavern Slingback Pump in Lilac and Green and Yellow, Fabric, Size 6 M, 2 Inch Heel $139.95 J RENEE

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Enrica Sandal (Black Leather) 8.0 M Square Toe, Slingback, Buckle Closure $115.00 FRANCO SARTO

W CONCEPT (US)Square Mary Jane Slingback Sandals $267.00 W CONCEPT (US)

CERQULARHANDMADE Womens Black Glitter Slingback Sandals Synthetic UK 7 Comfortable $27.29 CERQULAR

SHOEMALL.COMJohnston & Murphy Claire Mary Jane Slingback Women's Navy Slip On 8 $137.95 SHOEMALL.COM

THE LUXURY CLOSETValentino Off White Leather Rockstud Slingback Block Heel Sandals $514.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

FAMOUS FOOTWEARFranco Sarto Women's Jurina Slingback Pump Shoes (Wine Mesh/Faux Patent Leather) - Size 10.0 $139.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Harlan Slingback Pump in White, Patent/Grosgrain, Size 9.5 M, 2.75 Inch Heel $119.95 J RENEE

W CONCEPT (US)Fata Slingback Pumps [GREEN] (UFB1PB10LI) $350.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Moabin Square Slingback Heels (5cm) $86.00 W CONCEPT (US)

THE LUXURY CLOSETTod's Cream Patent Leather and Fabric Bow Slingback Pumps $163.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

FLORALKINIBow-Detailed Satin Lace-Up Strappy Slingback Stiletto Pumps - US 6/EU 37 / Red $70.99 FLORALKINI

IFCHICAlexandre Birman Clarita Bell Slingback 85 - IT 40.5 $795.00 IFCHIC

W CONCEPT (US)Dandelion Slingback Sandals - 3 Colors $206.00 W CONCEPT (US)

CHIKO (US)CHIKO Brooklee Pointy Toe Stiletto Slingback Shoes $127.00 CHIKO (US)

CHIKO (US)CHIKO Celeste Pointy Toe Stiletto Slingback Shoes $136.00 CHIKO (US)

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Lyanna Slingback Shoes (Tan Leopard Print Calf Hair) 6.0 M Square Toe $145.00 FRANCO SARTO

FAMOUS FOOTWEARFranco Sarto Women's Pura Slingback Shoes (Soft Pink Leather) - Size 10.0 $134.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

W CONCEPT (US)SlingBack ADS097 $211.00 W CONCEPT (US)

RYKARyka Viv Slingback Sandal Gold Pvc 8.5 W $59.99 RYKA

−31%

FAMOUS FOOTWEARLifestride Women's Freesia Slingback Sandals (Bright White Faux Leather) - Size 11.0$79.70 $54.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

−25%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Clara Slingback Sandal (Cocoa Brown Faux Leather) 8.0 W$79.99 $59.99 LIFESTRIDE

−25%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Sweet Slingback Wedge Sandal (Platino Gold Faux Leather) Fabric 6.5$79.99 $59.99 LIFESTRIDE

−25%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Teller 2 Slingback Pump Shoes (French Pink Faux Leather) 12.0$79.99 $59.99 LIFESTRIDE

−25%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Lorena Slingback Shoes (Ice Blue Faux Leather) 10.0$79.99 $59.99 LIFESTRIDE

−25%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Cheyenne Slingback Sandal (Silver Mesh/faux Leather) 9.5$79.99 $59.99 LIFESTRIDE

−10%

FAMOUS FOOTWEARWhite Mountain Women's Lifeway Slingback Sandals (Pink Floral Fabric) - Size 10.0$68.88 $61.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

−24%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Evoke Slingback Pump Shoes (Brown Multi Fabric) 7.5$89.46 $67.99 LIFESTRIDE

−30%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Celeste Slingback Sandal (Black Faux Leather) 8.5$99.99 $69.99 LIFESTRIDE

−25%

LIFESTRIDEBzees For LifeStride Shoes Rye Slingback Wedge Sandal (Fire Red Fabric) 7.5$99.99 $74.99 LIFESTRIDE

−36%

J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Aldonsa Patent Slingback Pump in Black and White and Silver, Size 5.5 M, 2.75 Inch Heel$124.98 $79.99 J RENEE

−44%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Nia Sandals, Beehive Yellow Suede Leather, 11.0M Open Toe, Block Heels, Slingback Strap$148.20 $82.99 NATURALIZER

−39%

FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Sarto Raven Slingback Shoes (Black Suede) 8.0$139.31 $84.98 FRANCO SARTO

−25%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Ginger Slingback Shoes, Walnut Brown Faux Raffia Fabric, 7.5M Block Heels, Strap$119.99 $89.99 NATURALIZER

−25%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Ginger Slingback Shoes, Leopard Print Faux Leather Fabric, 7.5W Block Heels, Strap$119.99 $89.99 NATURALIZER

−30%

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Pura Slingback Shoes (Soft Blue Leather) 6.5 M Pointed Toe$135.69 $94.98 FRANCO SARTO

−35%

NATURALIZER27 EDIT Elaine Slingback Dress Shoes, Pink Croco Print Leather, 9.5M Pointed Toe, Strap, Rubber Outsole$153.83 $99.99 NATURALIZER

−19%

NATURALIZER27 EDIT Nillie Slingback Flat Sandals, Black Snake Print Faux Leather, 9.5M Open Toe, Strap$135.79 $109.99 NATURALIZER

−24%

NATURALIZER27 EDIT Felicia 5 Slingback Dress Shoes, Natural Tan Faux Raffia, 11.0W Pointed Toe, Strap$144.72 $109.99 NATURALIZER

−11%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Truly Slingback Sandals, Black Faux Leather, 6.5W Strappy Style, Open Toe$134.82 $119.99 NATURALIZER

−4%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Connie Mary Jane Slingback Flat Shoes, Crantini Red Leather, 5.0M Strap$124.99 $119.99 NATURALIZER

−18%

KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Lover Metallic Slingback Kitten Heel, Silver - 6.5$237.80 $195.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET

−35%

IFCHICChlo Calfskin Leather Slingback Pumps - IT$895.00 $581.75 IFCHIC

Search for more slingback ideas in the Sale Watcher