ASK SARAH

Why does every woman need a slingback? An honest answer.

Your feet swell in the heat. Not a little. Up to a full size. I have been telling customers this for a decade, and most people do not believe me until July, when they are standing at a party in a closed pump that used to fit perfectly in April and wondering what happened. What happened is actually biology. And a slingback solves it.

A slingback gives you the polish of a dress shoe with an open back that lets your foot breathe and expand naturally in warm weather. It is not a trend purchase. It is a functional one that happens to also look beautiful.

Why do feet swell in the summer, and why does it matter for shoes?

Heat causes blood vessels to dilate. When that happens, fluid moves toward your extremities, and your feet expand. This is normal. It is also why a shoe that fits comfortably in the morning in March can feel tight by 3pm in August.

In a closed pump, there is nowhere for your foot to go. The leather holds its shape. Your foot does not. By the end of the afternoon, you are uncomfortable, and that discomfort compounds with every hour.

The open back of a slingback changes the equation entirely. Your foot has room to expand without the back of the shoe gripping or digging. The toe box still covers and supports the front of your foot the way a proper dress shoe should. You get the structure of a heel without the constriction of an enclosed fit.

The most common complaint about slingbacks, and how we solved it

The number one thing I hear from women who are hesitant about slingbacks is that they are hard to keep on. The strap slips. The shoe falls off the heel when you walk. I understand why. Most slingbacks are designed with a fixed strap, which means the fit is either right or it is not, and if your heel is on the narrower side, it is probably not.

Every Sarah Flint slingback is designed with a functional adjustable buckle and strap. You set the fit yourself. Tighter for walking and longer stretches on your feet. Slightly looser when you are seated or the day is warm. The strap stays exactly where you put it. This is the detail that makes the difference between a slingback you reach for and one that lives at the back of your closet.

I hope one of them becomes your summer shoe.

xo, Sarah

Which slingback silhouette is right for you?

Slingbacks are not one thing. I make them in three silhouettes because women need different things from a shoe depending on the day, the occasion, and frankly how much they want to commit to a heel.

Perfect Sling 85 in Black Calf
Perfect Sling 85Black Calf Perfect Sling 85Sand Calf Perfect Sling 85Gold Saffiano Perfect Sling 85Cherry Croc Embossed Calf Perfect Sling 85Ivory Nappa Perfect Sling 85Silver Textured Saffiano+ 3
Perfect Sling 85
The Perfect Sling in the 85mm heel is my most versatile dress shoe for summer. The heel pitch is balanced so your weight is distributed evenly, which is exactly what you want on a warm day when your foot is going to expand. I reach for this one for everything from summer weddings to office meetings to dinners that start at 7pm and go until midnight. Pair it with a silk slip dress and blazer, or with wide-leg trousers and a simple silk tank. It does both.
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Perfect Kitten Sling 50 in Black Calf
Perfect Kitten Sling 50Black Calf Perfect Kitten Sling 50Sand Calf Perfect Kitten Sling 50Gold Saffiano
Perfect Kitten Sling 50
The Perfect Sling in the 50mm kitten heel is for the woman who wants to look polished and also walk. I mean that sincerely. A kitten heel gives you the elevation and the silhouette of a heel without asking your foot to do anything difficult. It works under trousers, under midi skirts, with cropped wide-leg jeans and a tucked linen shirt. The Natalie Kitten Sling is a slightly different take on the same idea, with a delicate strap detail that reads a little more evening.
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Natalie Sling in Black Calf
Natalie SlingWhite Calf Natalie SlingPetal Calf Natalie SlingBlack Calf Natalie SlingGold Saffiano Natalie SlingNavy Striped Linen
Natalie Sling
The Natalie Sling and the Stella are both flat slingbacks, and both are designed with the same padding and all-day comfort as our heeled styles. A flat slingback is not a compromise. It is a very deliberate choice for the days when you need to be on your feet and you still want to look like you thought about what you were wearing.
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How I style slingbacks in the summer

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Your questions, answered

Why do slingbacks fit better in summer than closed pumps?

Feet can swell up to a full size in warm weather as blood vessels dilate and fluid moves toward the extremities. A closed pump holds its shape while your foot expands, which creates pressure and discomfort by mid-afternoon. A slingback has an open back that allows your foot to breathe and expand naturally while still giving you the coverage and polish of a proper dress shoe.

How do I keep a slingback strap from slipping?

The most common reason a slingback strap slips is that it cannot be adjusted. Sarah Flint slingbacks are designed with a functional adjustable buckle and strap on every style. Set the strap to the fit that feels secure when you walk, and it will stay there. If a slingback strap is slipping in a shoe with a fixed or elastic strap, the shoe may not be designed for a narrower heel.

Can I wear slingbacks to a summer wedding?

Yes. A heeled or kitten heel slingback is an excellent wedding guest shoe in summer precisely because it handles heat and foot swelling better than a closed pump. If the wedding is outdoors on grass or an uneven surface, a block heel or flat slingback is the practical choice. A stiletto heel sinks in grass and is uncomfortable by the second hour.

What should I wear with a slingback?

Slingbacks work across almost every warm-weather occasion. A heeled slingback pairs well with silk dresses, wide-leg trousers, and midi skirts. A kitten heel slingback works under cropped jeans, tailored shorts, and everything a loafer would wear. A flat slingback is especially good under long trousers and linen. The open back reads light and seasonal regardless of heel height.