5-inches is the new black - heels rise to new heights

5-Inches Is. The. New. Black.

It was just a year ago that shoe designer Christian Louboutin and filmmaker slash photographer David Lynch paired for a captivating collaboration celebrating our footwear "Fetish", with a handful of one-of-a-kind extreme, arguably erotic shoes. Then we saw the towering “IT” shoe, the Yves Saint Laurent Tribute sandal with its sculpted and tapered platform sole flaunting an attitude as bad as the heel was high. Innovative shoe designers from Nicholas Kirkwood to Gil Carvalho went vertically voluminous on us.

We knew it wouldn’t be long before our (other!) favorite shoe designers would rise to the occasion to give us more of what we want. One doesn’t even have to worry, “do these make me look like a stripper?” That’s kind of the point. And it’s totally hip. From 4” heels to 5" plus (plus!) shoe designers are letting us be naughty little good girls. And they’re tempting us with decadent leathers in polished patents and metal hues, and carving the heels up in mouth-watering shapes. Here come our favorite fifteen...

See the rest of our sky-high shoes in the "5" is the New Black" trend gallery!



Yves Saint Laurent black patent mid-calf boots narrowly make the 5” cut, but their strong toe-box and stiletto heel affords one a wicked, sultry attitude. Concealed platform under a 4 ½” heel with blue sole. Black. $915
Brownsfashion.com.



Christian Louboutin “Very Croise” satin slingback sandals trap your tootsies right where you want them. Towering over the competition, they reach 6 inches with a 1 ½” platform. Black. $775
At Net-a-porter.com



Alejandro Ingelmo “Off the Wall-3” croc-embossed pump takes it all the way home. It feels like 4” but it’s a FULL 5 ½” heel atop a 1 ½” platform. Ruby Red metallic. $692
At Zappos.com




DAVIS by Ruthie Davis “Stanley” patent leather pump reaches new heights with its nuts-and-bolts. 1” covered platform and 4 ½” high-shine stiletto heel. Black. $775
At Shopbop.com




Bally “Elizabeth” satin almond-toe pump might be overlooked, except from behind. This pretty pump sits on 1” sculpted platform and 5” sculpted heel. Black. $450
At Net-a-Porter.com



Emanuel Ungaro “branch” heeled strappy rear-zip sandals beg one to be tied. The carved branch heel is 5 inches and supports a 1” platform rise. Natural. $1,055
At Net-a-Porter.com



Gina crystal-embellished patent platform almond-toe pumps with sparkling stiletto heels are almost too sweet. But their crystallized heel which measures in at 4 ½” tells a sophisticated, dirty-girl story. Black. $680
Brownsfashion.com.



Burberry Prorsum ruched patent platform pump has a strong arch. You’re not kicking these off, unless you want to. The sturdy 5” banana heel works well on the 1” platform. Bordeaux. $695
At Net-a-Porter.com



Miu Miu sculpted heel leather pointed toe pump allows the wearer to flit around during her muses. It comes with a 5” layered, sculpted heel with 1” platform. Navy/Black. $650
At Net-a-Porter.com



Giuseppe Zanotti “87041” lace-up patent shaft boot on spike heel is real naughty, and that’s why we like it. It boasts a 4” masterful mirrored heel with ¾” suede-covered platform. Caffe. $1,195
At Piperlime.com



DSquared2 “Flash” patent pump with lightening bolt heel comes alive. The 5 ½” heel explodes atop slight platform. Black. $592
At Zappos.com




Sergio Rossi suede leather peep-toe d’Orsay pump is deceptively dirty. It measures in with ½” suede-covered platform and 4 ½” patent heel. S-E-X-Y! Brown/Brick. $595
At Shopbop.com




Dolce Vita “Taylor” poignant lace-up oxford gives you height without breaking your bank. Instead it’ll break his heart with the 4 ½” leather-wrapped heel on hidden platform. Grey. $145
At Zappos.com




Robert Cavalli “L89013” bondage patent ankle boots will wrap you up for hours.
It comes with a sturdy lug sole and towering 5” heel. Black. $1,354
At Zappos.com




Missoni “MM10C” patent trimmed suede peep-toe slingbacks are super sultry. Your toes peek over a 1” platform while your heel sits on a 4 ½” heel. Chocolate. $899
At Zappos.com