There are trends that return almost exactly as we remembered them and others that come back camouflaged within designs that look completely current. Something similar happens with one of Zara’s most coveted shoes, a black low-heeled model that, at first glance, could simply pass for a more polished version of the flats we’ve been seeing everywhere for several seasons.
But its silhouette has quite a history behind it. The wide low heel of a few centimeters, the rounded toe, the closed toe and the small bow at the front recall a type of shoe that reached enormous popularity almost half a century ago and represented a very specific idea of elegance: the ability to be dressed up without wearing a particularly high heel.
The footwear trend that was born in the late 70s
There is a historical reference especially close to the model we now see at Zara. In 1978, Fiamma Ferragamo, daughter of Salvatore Ferragamo, designed the Vara, one of the brand’s most recognizable shoes.
Its look is surprisingly familiar: a low heel, a rounded toe, and a bow at the front. The idea was to offer an elegant and versatile shoe, but also comfortable enough to accompany a woman for many hours.
Bailarinas con tacón negro de Zara.
That formula worked because it responded to a real change in the way people dressed. In the late 70s and throughout the 80s, the female wardrobe began to adapt more and more to long workdays and to a more active professional life. The heel remained a symbol of sophistication, but it no longer had to be high all the time.
The comfortable elegance of the 80s
When we think of the shoes of the 80s it is easy to imagine stilettos, sharp pumps and much higher heels. However, they coexisted with another silhouette that was much more practical and fit especially well with blazer suits, midi skirts and office dresses.
It was a discreet shoe, feminine and sufficiently formal, but much easier to wear all day. Its wide heel provided stability and its height allowed maintaining that elegant gesture of the pump without fully sacrificing comfort.
Why this well-known shoe is returning
During the last seasons we have witnessed the return of virtually every version of the flat shoe. First came loafers, then ballet flats, Mary Janes and mesh ballet flats.
Its low and wide heel is much more stable than a stiletto and barely changes the feeling of wearing a flat shoe, but it makes the overall look appear immediately more polished. It has a bit of ballet flat at the front and a bit of a pump at the heel, which allows it to be worn with dresses as well as with pants or jeans.
Bailarinas con tacón negro de Zara.
There is also something particularly timely about this type of shoe returning right now. The end of summer tends to coincide with that tricky moment when it is still too hot for boots and heavy loafers, but sandals start to feel out of season.
Where to find this shoe? At Zara they have launched a new design. The brand has created a leather ballet flat with a heel, featuring a bow detail, ruched at the front, and a rounded toe finish.
It costs 39.95 euros and its design inevitably recalls those low-heeled shoes that became especially popular in the late 70s and 80s. It is a comfortable, flexible design with only about 4 centimeters; so a bit of height in a comfortable way.
