Kaia Gerber’s Little Black Dress Came With the Ultimate Anti-Summer Shoe
Our take
The recent sighting of Kaia Gerber sporting a little black dress paired with decidedly un-summery ballet flats has sparked a quiet revolution in the fashion conversation. It’s more than just a celebrity styling choice; it signals a shift away from the relentlessly prescribed seasonal dictates that have long governed our wardrobes. We’ve seen this pushback before, a yearning for something beyond the fleeting trends—a longing for enduring style—and it’s refreshing to see it embodied by a figure as influential as Gerber. The fleeting nature of trends is something we’ve observed throughout the fashion landscape; as evidenced by the recent questioning of the relevance of traditional Whatever happened to Lookbooks?, there’s a growing desire for something more timeless and considered. This feels like a direct response to the constant pressure to adhere to a prescribed seasonal aesthetic, a pressure that often leaves us feeling perpetually behind.
The move away from sandals and towards closed-toe shoes, particularly ballet flats, reflects a broader cultural sentiment—a quiet rejection of performative trends in favor of personal comfort and enduring style. It’s a sentiment echoed in the recent observation that French *it* girls are opting for classic shoe trends over the ubiquitous sandal – Sorry, Sandals—French It Girls Are Wearing These Classic Shoe Trends Instead This Summer. This isn't about dismissing summer footwear entirely; it’s about the freedom to choose what resonates with your personal style, regardless of the calendar. It’s a subtle act of rebellion against the often-overwhelming nature of fast fashion and the constant pressure to consume. Furthermore, the conversation about finding inspiration beyond the usual suspects – Where do you get online inspiration to dress in a modern way? – highlights the desire for a more nuanced and personal approach to style, one that isn’t solely dictated by influencers and seasonal collections.
This development aligns perfectly with the broader cultural shift towards "quiet luxury" – a movement characterized by understated elegance, exceptional quality, and a discernible lack of overt branding. The little black dress, a cornerstone of this aesthetic, paired with classic ballet flats, embodies a sense of timeless sophistication and effortless chic. It’s not about shouting for attention; it’s about projecting an air of quiet confidence and self-assuredness. Gerber’s choice isn’t just about the shoes; it's about a feeling. It’s about embracing a personal style that transcends fleeting trends and resonates with a deeper sense of self. This shift reflects a growing consumer desire for investment pieces that offer longevity and versatility, rather than disposable items that quickly fall out of favor. It’s about curating a wardrobe that tells a story – your story – rather than simply reflecting the latest runway trends.
Ultimately, Kaia Gerber’s seemingly simple styling choice points to a fundamental change in how we approach fashion: a move away from dictated trends and towards a more mindful, personal, and enduring style. It’s a paradigm shift that prioritizes comfort, quality, and self-expression over fleeting trends and performative aesthetics. The question now is whether this rebellion against seasonal dictates will continue to gain momentum, reshaping the fashion landscape and empowering individuals to define their own style, free from the constraints of the calendar. Will we see a broader adoption of year-round layering and a greater emphasis on timeless pieces that defy seasonal categorization?
Seeing Kaia Gerber wear a little black dress without ballet flats was just as surprising as the shoe trend she switched into. When every fashion girl and their mother is wearing backless closed-toe heels come fall, you can thank Gerber's anti-summer set on July 27.
Bright and early on Monday morning, Gerber embarked on her press tour for Ryan Murphy's The Shards, before the series hits Hulu on August 5. The thriller takes place in L.A. in the early '80s, but she traded her character's razor-sharp blazers and monochrome jeans outfits for styles straight out of the '90s. For Gerber's surprisingly un-method moment, stylist Emma Jade Morrison dressed her in a sleeveless LBD, complete with glossy satin from boatneck to knee-length hem. (In other words, she was the spitting image of her mother, Cindy Crawford, in the '90s.)
When she's off the clock in L.A., Gerber primarily pairs LBDs with the block-heel ballet flats she designed with French footwear brand Repetto. This time around, the actress stayed true to closed-toe boxes, except the black suede belonged to pointy backless mules. If it wasn't for a pedicure-concealing silhouette, the sky-high stilettos would've mirrored the peep-toe pumps trend.
While the brand behind Gerber's slip-on style remains a mystery, it would've blended in with the shoes on Spring/Summer 2026 runways. Dior debuted a backless pair adorned with oversized 3-D floral appliqués; Loewe slashed the heels off of lemon yellow loafer-looking pumps; and Stella McCartney's strawberry red slides played with V-shaped vamps.
Even with designers endorsing backless mules, peep-toe pumps are the It-shoe to beat this summer. Katie Holmes, Alexa Chung, and Monica Barbaro can't stop styling them as the ultimate flip-flop alternative. But once thong sandals return to storage, celebrities could name backless closed-toe heels their sleek autumnal successor.
Shop the Backless Heels Trend Inspired by Kaia Gerber
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