If the shoe fits, walk in it ’til your high heels break.
In addition to being a rather underappreciated Taylor Swift lyric, that seems to be the superstar’s approach to red carpet footwear these days. Despite having any number of fashion brands begging to dress her, Swift’s sported the same pair of Giuseppe Zanotti Lilibeth slingbacks on multiple step-and-repeats.
And in news sure to delight fashion-savvy Swifties, her stilettos are seriously on sale in an array of colors and heel heights right now.
She first chose the sleek, simple heels for a pair of 2022 appearances on the “Graham Norton” show and at the MTV Europe Music Awards; since then, she’s incorporated them into her looks for Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” movie premiere in November, the NYC premiere of “Poor Things” in December and the 2024 Grammys in January. How’s that for cost per wear?
A rep for the Italian label tells Page Six Style that Swift’s worn versions of the Lilibeth in velvet, suede and patent leather, and that she’s partial to the towering 105-mm heel height (that’s just over 4 inches, or what I like to call “sitting shoes”).
For those with less adept arches, the style’s also available in 50-, 70-, 85- and 90-mm versions, and in a wide range of neutral and metallic hues — many of which are marked down at the moment.
But given that the Grammy winner swears by these sky-high stilettos for hours-long awards shows and packed press days, I had to know: Is there some sort of sorcery built into their soles? Do they come with magical pain-suppressing powers? To find out, I decided to quite literally walk a mile in Swift’s shoes, and called in a pair to test-drive for a full day around town.
Our review
From the moment I slipped on my new (borrowed) shoes, I knew I had my work cut out for me. They were easily the highest heels I’ve worn in years and have absolutely zero platform, making the pitch particularly perilous.
That said, they made my legs look fantastic — so much so that my husband, who rarely notices what shoes I’m wearing, complimented my “insane” footwear the second I walked into the room. I can see the red carpet appeal here!
To really put the shoes through their paces, I wore them while running errands around my neighborhood and out to brunch.
And while they slowed my usual stride from a purposeful power walk to a more cautious strut, they were far easier to wear than a pointy-toed pump or skinny-strapped stiletto (two styles I’m convinced were invented by Satan himself).
I was even able to descend the stairs to the subway without worrying too much about a slip-and-fall situation.
That’s likely because of how this particular shoe is constructed; it’s blessedly not as narrow as many designer heels, while the vamp is wide enough that it won’t pinch your toes.
And while I often find slingback straps to be torturous, these didn’t cut into my heels and did their job of keeping the shoes securely on my feet as I tiptoed around town.
Still, I’d probably only recommend the 105-mm version of the shoe for seasoned stiletto wearers or outings that entail plenty of sitting. It’s really too high for running around in all day long — unless you’re Taylor “In Stilettos for Miles” Swift herself, that is.
But considering I was able to navigate sidewalks, stairs and even cobblestones in the highest version of the style without face-planting, I’d absolutely urge you to check out the lower Lilibeths on offer — particularly the 85-mm iteration, which offers the same sleek, leg-lengthening look with a far more manageable heel.
As Swift’s proven time and again, after all, this classic shoe will never go out of style.
Pros:
- Beautifully made
- Makes legs look miles long
- Versatile from a styling standpoint
- Available in many colors and heel heights
Cons:
- Expensive
- 105-mm and 90-mm heel heights may be too high for some to wear comfortably
How we tested
I borrowed a pair of the highest-heeled (105 mm) Lilibeths to wear around the city for a full day that included subway rides, errands, a brunch date and plenty of stairs, keeping the following criteria top of mind throughout:
- Comfort: Few heels are actually comfortable, but how did these stack up against similarly tall stilettos? Was I able to spend the better part of a day on my feet without reaching for Band-Aids or the emergency flats I’d stashed in my purse?
- Aesthetic: At the end of the day, we’re typically buying heels based on how they look — and how they make us look. Did these make my legs seem longer and leaner? Are they beautifully constructed and flattering on the foot? Do they prompt you to sigh, “Hello, lover,” Carrie Bradshaw-style?
- Value: Designer shoes are an investment, but if they’re reasonably comfortable and style seamlessly with lots of looks, they’re well worth the splurge. And if they just so happen to be on sale, well, that’s even better!