Inez's Francesca Kitten Heels Are the Ultimate Summer Party Shoe

Fast Facts

• Colors: 2
• Available Widths: standard
• Materials: leather, patent leather
• Heel height: 1.8 inches

How I Tested the Shoes

I've been wearing Inez shoes for a few years, and was drawn in by their promise of comfortable heels that were actually made for walking. (They're a favorite of PureWow editors, too, with Senior Director of Special Projects, Rachel Bowie, raving about the pumps.) While I normally have a go-to shoe brand for everyday wear, I love that Inez's designs lean more towards parties and events. They're deliberately designed to stand out without being so over-the-top that they're impractical to wear all night. I've had the Francescas specifically for about eight months and have worn them to both commute across New York, head to work events and as my "formal" shoes when I traveled.

Walkable Heel

In my years as a fashion writer, I've tried a lot of shoes and quickly learned that not all low heels are created equal. The skinny heels are fun but still hurt. The block heels are great for walking but not as daring. I think the Francesca hits a happy medium with its rectangular heel. From the profile it's sleek, but underneath is quite oblong, which helps make it more comfortable to stand on. Additionally, the heel is slightly inset, which makes a world of a difference in comfort vis-à-vis weight distribution.

Sleek Design

Normally, I'm wary of shoes with straps; I'm incredibly prone to blisters. (I'm just getting over one at the moment of writing this piece.) However, the Francesca's ankle straps were surprisingly gentle while still being inconspicuous. (For me, thin straps usually = painful.) I also liked the wide, low, square vamp, which gave my feet a little bit more leeway in the width department. And though tapered toes usually don't get along with my feet, I'm a sucker for the silhouette and thought the Francescas were unique.

Signature Footbed

Inez's signature insole features a slightly contoured arch, padded heal and proprietary footbed. I spent last summer comparing Inez to a much pricier shoe brand whose claim to fame is also a supremely comfortable footbed, and ultimately dubbed Inez the best intersection of price and comfort.

Limited Width Options

Depending on the style, Inez will offer narrow, standard and wide widths. Sadly, the Francesca only comes in the standard width. While I can usually make a standard width work, my bunions are much happier when a wide width is available, and so for me that was the only major drawback.

There Is a Break-In Period

This is not particularly unique to Inez or the Francesca, but it is something I take into consideration when buying shoes. I'm impatient; breaking shoes in takes time. There was a short window where I did need to break these in, mainly due to needing to stretch the width of the shoe. That being said, I've had shoes with longer, more challenging break-in times, so compared to them, this was a piece of cake.

These shoes tick all the desired boxes of one who likes a good style moment but also wants comfort. A walkable, low heel that still feels sleek, comfortable straps that won't cause blisters after miles of wear and leather that will eventually stretch. It feels like the ultimate going out shoe—a little daring, easy to dress up, but not out of place on more casual days, either.