Made popular by Chanel, two-tone ballerinas with a contrasting toe were introduced by then creative director Karl Lagerfeld in 1984, and have since become one of the house’s most recognisable signatures. Now, more than four decades later, they’re having yet another fashion moment, with Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection for the house serving up mint green and bright red variations that prompted queues outside the Paris boutique when they finally arrived in stores.
If you’re looking for an easy way to incorporate the look into your own autumn wardrobe, there are plenty of ways to dip a toe into the two-tone trend – and they don’t have to involve Chanel. Look for styles in leather or suede, in neutral shades such as beige, black and white, or more eye-catching colours if you’re trying to prevent the winter blues from creeping into your wardrobe. For a slightly more elevated take (literally), opt for cap-toe slingback heels, which look fabulous with denim.
Celebrities have enthusiastically stepped into the cap-toe shoe trend: Sarah Pidgeon opted for black and gold pumps with a statement heel, while Penélope Cruz kept it classic in monochrome, and Tilda Swinton went for a tonal take on two-tone pumps. Now that fashion month is underway, expect to see plenty of these on the pavements outside the shows.
