The rhythmic click-clack of stilettos on pavement used to be the soundtrack of Saturday night. They weren’t heels. They were towering symbols of glamour and a non-negotiable part of the average millennial’s nightlife uniform. Remember Carrie Bradshaw strutting down the street in stilettos, declared, ‘I couldn’t walk a block in flats, but darling, these shoes are magic’? Fast forward to today, however, and dance floors are a lot quieter. Gone are spike-heeled peep-toes because Gen Z, more concerned with practicality and comfort, is decidedly anti-heel.
The shift in footwear preference is clear on TikTok. As Rae Christine highlights: ‘I don’t know what’s happening to club culture, but the girlies are not wearing heels in the clubs anymore,’ she notes. ‘As a 34-year-old, do we need to come out of retirement and teach the girls how to wear heels?’, she adds.
Watch: The TikTok Shoe Debate
For millennials, high heels were more than just shoes—they were a badge of honour, a rite of passage into adulthood, and a ticket to the sophisticated, cosmopolitan lifestyle epitomised by icons like Carrie Bradshaw. Those strappy sandals and thin heels weren’t just accessories; they were an essential part of the identity. Heels were It, as well as a statement of intent: ‘I have arrived, and I look fabulous.’
Megan Watkins, head stylist atSilkFred said, **‘**During the late 90's and noughties, glam was in and flat shoes were definitely not glam. For example, the trend of 'business casual at the club' which went viral on TikTok and (what was then) Twitter back in 2022, saw many millennials rock blazers, pencil skirts, shirts and of course, heels, to every big night out on the town.’
She added that we can also look at the style casters of the noughties, such as Victoria Beckham, Paris Hilton, and Sarah Jessica Parker, who would rather be seen dead than in a flat shoe, (Victoria Beckham, she notes, has been quoted as saying she ‘can’t concentrate in a flat.’)
Despite the inevitable discomfort, millennials seemingly embraced the mantra ‘beauty is pain.’ Watkins explains, ‘Millennials also lived through the 'heroin chic' era and the suggestion that heels made your legs look longer and thinner was ingrained in many [a] millennial subconscious.’
The allure of elongated legs, added height, and the boost of confidence (almost) made enduring a night of sore feet worth it. High heels were a symbol of the ‘work hard, play hard’ philosophy that almost defined millennial culture. First dates, job interviews, club nights – all seemed to demand a certain level of formality, and heels were the answer.
She added, ‘Wearing flats to the office was a huge no-no. In the world of work, heels asserted your formality, professionalism and maturity and this is something that millennials can't quite let go of.’
On the flipside of things, Gen Z is more on the vibe that that prioritises authenticity, inclusivity, and, most importantly, comfort. For them, the night-out experience is about dancing freely, exploring new places, and embracing spontaneity — activities that are infinitely more enjoyable without having to think about the blister about to erupt on your baby toe. And the stats are proving heels are on the out. The Lyst Index Q2 includes three pairs of trainers on its top 10 hottest products list - Loewe x On’s Cloudtilt Loewe II, adidas’s SL 72 OG shoes, and a pair from Dries Van Noten. Not a heel in sight.
Whitney Jones 24, Grazia’s Editorial Assistant said, ‘University night out culture does not work for heels. How can I be expected to have fun when people are crushing my toes in crowded spaces or dreading the long walk home with wobbling ankles. It's that or have dirty black feet from walking barefoot on unclean pavements. Then it just continues from there into adulthood.’
Social media, especially TikTok, has been instrumental in this cultural shift. Gen Z creators and everyday users alike showcase nights out in stylish sneakers, chic flats, and comfy boots. Showing you can look like you’re going ‘out out’ minus the heel.
While millennials may reminisce about their stiletto-clad adventures, Gen Z is creating its own narrative — one that prioritises comfort. The clack of stilettos may have quieted, but parties and nightlife continue to thrive, just in more comfortable shoes.
Renee Washington, Grazia's Digital Fashion and Beauty Assistant, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.