The higher the heel, the closer to heaven. Some of men’s fashion’s biggest stars have been taking that to heart recently. While wearing high heels has become more commonplace for people of all genders over the past few years, a few male style heavy hitters have skipped over the high-heeled loafers and even kitten heels and headed straight for bold and chunky platforms. And there’s nothing middle of the road about these shoes either. Lil Nas X, who is six feet two, once wore a pair that were five inches high.
The rave-ready shoes have been embraced by some of the most exciting and experimental figures in men’s fashion right now, like musicians Troye Sivan, Conan Gray, and Maneskin member Damiano David. Model and Elvis actor Alton Mason donned a pearl-covered pair to the 2021 Met Gala, which only added to the dapperness of his crisp white Theophilio-designed suit. And, of course, there are so many measured (and comfortable) versions of the heel trend one can find—like the more glam rock–flavored boots Timothée Chalamet wore at the Venice Film Festival not too long ago.
If you’re thinking of dipping into the trend yourself, a great place to look is Rick Owens—a brand that has been crafting death-defyingly high heels for men for years. And if you can squeeze your feet into them, perhaps a pair of Marc Jacobs’s Kikis.
Most interesting about this menswear trend is that it started off as a womenswear trend. Olivia Rodrigo wore a pair to the White House last year while urging young people to get vaccinated. Keke Palmer wore the infamous Kiki boots to the red carpet premiere of Jordan Peele’s Nope. And rapper Nicki Minaj donned some seriously major ones for a Heaven by Marc Jacobs ad campaign. Perhaps the trend is indicative of gender lines becoming increasing blurred, so cross-pollination between menswear and womenswear was bound to happen.
Below, check out some of the best moments from men’s style stars’ rising embrace of platforms.
Conan Gray
