How grown-ups are embracing fashion’s ‘dainty’ footwear trend

SPOTLIGHT / BUCKLE MY SHOE

Olivia Rodrigo, Gigi Hadid and Dua Lipa in their ballet flats.

For those of us used to navigating life in Birks and sneakers, the return of the dainty shoe may provoke reactions of unadulterated terror. But Mary Janes, ballet flats, slingbacks and kitten heels – often replete with buckles, double buckles, buttons and bows – have been popping up everywhere, from runway shows by Chanel, Miu Miu and Gabriela Hearst to the well-heeled feet of celebs such as Olivia Rodrigo, Ayo Edebiri, Dua Lipa and Gigi Hadid.

The saving grace of footwear “daintification” is that there’s a lot of variety: from Maison Margiela’s out-there “Tabi” split-toe collection and Khaite’s flower- and crystal-embossed ballet flats to Sandy Liang’s ultra-buzzy “Pointe” range, which melds Mary Janes and ballet flats in leather and satin iterations.

Sydney fashion content creator Pilar Paredes says the styles deliver in both the fashion and comfort stakes: “We’re seeing more variations of this classic footwear silhouette due to its timeless allure and practical wearability,” she says. “It’s a comfortable approach to elevated dressing – a chic alternative to sneakers and a risk-averse stand-in for high heels.”

But how to wear them without looking like a kindergartener? Paredes suggests a pair of wide-leg jeans and a Breton striped knit for a hit of Parisian street style or a sharply tailored blazer, white tee, jeans and preppy socks. “You can also draw inspiration from ’60s style icons like Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton and wear them with coloured tights and mini skirts.” Perfectly winged eyeliner optional. Deborah Cooke

WATCH / DEATH BECOMES THEM

Only Murders in the Building heads west to LA for season four.

Despite Only Murders in the Building’s early season-four pit stop in Los Angeles – usually a sign of desperation for a show looking to mix things up – our favourite murder-mystery podcasters (pictured), Charles (Steve Martin), Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Oliver (Martin Short) have not abandoned their glorious New York base for good. Why would they? The Belnord, the building that stands in for the show’s Arconia, is one of the Upper West Side’s swankiest residences and the heart of the show. You can buy a five-bedroom pad for a mere $16 million in the historic building, just a 20-minute walk from Martin’s home in The San Remo, on Central Park. What’s LA got on that, eh? Only Meryl Streep (hotly rumoured to be Martin Short’s girlfriend in real life), Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Zach Galifianakis and Melissa McCarthy, who’ve all signed on for the new season, which investigates the murder of Charles’ stunt-double. On Disney+ now. Louise Rugendyke

LISTEN / RACE ROWS

Invested investigates the thorny issue of testing to decide who is deemed fit to compete as a female athlete in elite sports.

Talk about incredible prescience. Recent podcast Tested investigates the thorny issue of testing to decide who is deemed fit to compete as a female athlete in elite sports. With the furore at the Olympics around Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, and the misinformation and hate she endured, this podcast is timely. Host Rose Eveleth reveals that sex testing in sport is not just a modern-day issue but goes back a century. She traces the stories of two female runners, Namibian Christine Mboma and Kenyan Maximila Imali, who were judged not to be women due to their testosterone levels. But what are the criteria? Who gets to decide? And is it just discrimination? Khelif went on to win gold, but the controversy continues. Barry Divola

GROOVE / IN THE HOUSE

Brisbane singer-songwriter Sycco has released her debut album, Zorb.

Mashing up disparate genres has become something of a raison d’être for Gen Z musicians keen to throw strict conventions in a blender and pour the results all over the internet. Previous singles from Brisbane singer-songwriter Sycco (real name Sasha McLeod) displayed an appetite for zippy pop numbers that tried on new outfits, but on her debut album, Zorb, she goes for broke. Veering between R&B, psych-rock (Bad World could be a Tame Impala B-side), synth-pop and funk, it should be a hyper-coloured mess. Instead, McLeod’s ease with melody and winsome arrangements produce a record with significant replay value in a world hooked on singles. It’s the sort of thing you’d comfortably chuck on at a house party – which is fitting given McLeod’s share house inspired much of its sweet, sonic chaos. Jonathan Seidler

WEAR / HAPPY FEET

A sustainably-focused running shoe that’s helping us take steps towards zero waste.

Designed to be returned to the manufacturer at the end of their life, the Nimbus Mirai running shoes from Japanese brand Asics feature an upper made entirely from uniform polyester ($280). Why is this important? Its construction allows for easy separation of components for efficient recycling without compromising on performance or quality, the company claims. Sneaker manufacturing usually involves bonding or gluing various materials together, which complicates recycling. While solutions for the sole are still being developed, Asics says 87 per cent of the upper in this new model can be used in another pair, making it the company’s most “circular” shoe to date. Frances Mocnik

SHOP / CLOTHES ENCOUNTER

The LG Styler steam closet sanitises, refreshes and deodorises hard-to-wash items and fabrics.

Say goodbye to expensive dry-cleaning bills. The LG Styler steam closet sanitises, refreshes and deodorises hard-to-wash items and fabrics (including coats, silk dresses, pillows and even dog toys) without chemicals (from $2499). Simply plug it in, add water and let the proprietary TrueSteam Technology do its work. Vibrating hangers help loosen allergens like pollen, pet dander, other airborne particles, dirt and debris. It even features a pants press to remove wrinkles and add a sharp crease, a shelf for items like soiled sneakers, bags and toys, and a nifty app to customise the entire experience. Frances Mocnik

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