As part of the 2021/2022 Fall/Winter Paris Fashion Week Women's Fashion Week in Paris, France on March 5, 2021, a model poses during the Balmain photo shoot.

Just like that, it's almost here-the long-awaited restart of Sex and the City. For months, actress Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Jessica Parker) has been using TV series promotional footage to tease fans and make Instagram run faster.

Since the show began broadcasting in the late 1990s, her character Carrie Bradshaw has redefined fashion with the help of the show's original stylist Patricia Field, making luxury footwear brands Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo household names.

Known for a closet full of designer high heels, which is equivalent to her down payment at the E 73rd St studio apartment—$40,000 to be precise (season 4, episode 16)—Bradshaw became A pronoun for indulging in fantasy to live the best life.

Fast forward 15 years to Manhattan after the pandemic (or take a shortcut to @andjustlikethatcostumes), and that's it-the delicious escape from reality still exists.  

Aquazurra crystal-embellished 4-inch pointed sandals, Celine 3.9-inch laminated Mary Jane shoes, Saint Laurent 5.3-inch wooden platform shoes; after 18 months of flat slippers curve, it seems that the spirit of the times may persuade us to cheer up in high heels. 

The retail industry's prediction of "retaliation charm": Dressing up as the antidote to relaxing quarantine restrictions may not be just an anecdote. According to data from Lyst, the most popular fashion brand and product quarterly ranking (Q321), due to the resurgence of live events and the growing demand for outbound styles, searches for high heels increased by 177% compared to the same quarter in 2020.

Although the "sweatpants peak period" may have passed, comfort is a convincing mistress. The question is: will we limp back to our fail-safe flats after a quick jump in sexy slingbacks, or are we ready to participate in the unofficial high-heeled Olympics? 

Shakaila Forbes-Bell, a fashion psychologist and founder of Fashion is Psychology, admits that although “research highlights the positive impact of comfortable clothing and footwear on our cognitive function (our ability to focus and work smarter)... ...High heels are far from extinct," citing the'tension release dimension' as a hook for wearers who want to escape reality. 

Since reality includes socializing and celebrating again, we can add personal freedom to the title of "Release Stress." You see, indulging in dress-up rituals is more than just a revenge paradigm. This is part of what makes the occasion special-the skipping in our steps has been a long time. In other words, we may need some lessons in walking in high heels again—not to mention skipping rope.

Rich Jordan, owner and buyer of Cork's Amari boutique, sees this newfound confidence as an emerging trend that will slowly evolve in height until we can confidently take proud steps. "In the store from April to June," Jordan said, "our best-selling shoes are Lola Cruz's beautiful 2-inch heel mules, decorated with Swarovski crystals and nude suede. This is what we really talk about on social media and our style this season." 

In the autumn and winter of 21, Amari launched "high boots and wedges and ankle boots, which is a friendly way to transition to high heels again." The client’s favorite Lodi-a winner in casual shoes-is in the middle of the road with its sexy and sensible "Mobi" boots (269 euros, Amari), while the Spanish brand of the same name Lola Cruz relies on its crystal-embellished "Juneo" shines with beauty. (259 euros, Amari).

It seems that social proof is the only proof proven by countless Instagram feeds. In September alone, searches for boots including the keywords "shiny" and "shining" increased by a total of 83%, while searches for silver boots increased by 41% month-on-month (Lyst, data drop on 06.10.21).

Forbes-Bell observed this emotional shift from a similar perspective. "We have seen the formation of two groups,'Bold Dresser' and'Comfortable Champion'," she explained. "These two groups will fall on both sides of the bell curve, and most consumers will find themselves in the middle." 

Ah, the middle ground that is often ridiculed. We usually don't like it, but might we start to like it? If there are any signs of the reimagined autumn/winter 21 fashion show collection, then maybe. Although next to the cocktail creation of soignée glass slippers and crystal decorations, the mainstay shows a more adaptive method of how we navigate the world, a way of embracing reality rather than escaping it.

Look forward to the new wave of 90s slingbacks and 80s tapered high heels found in Gucci, Fendi and Balmain. Some era surfing-the same gems and colors, some with rubber soles, heel pads and elastic bands. In addition, don’t be surprised to go back in time with gorgeous 70s-style rock boots (think Ziggy Stardust and Tommy'The Pinball Wizard')-this is the perfect platform to master the ground a few inches away. 

For fashion consultant Claire Hilliard, these creative solutions designed to create high heels, whether it is innovative textiles and colors or decorative iterations, all help to satisfy our desire for style in a way that "be consistent with reality".

When talking about the upcoming 2022 vacation series, she said: "Freedom to wear your favorite clothes, don't be afraid to break the boundaries, and have continuous comfort. This is becoming a key message among designers."

"In addition to the masculine platform and functional flat sandals (which is another trend in itself), there is also a series of easy-to-wear commercial high heels that give people a sense of height and charm without losing comfort. Stella McCartney saw metallic kitten heels. Jil Sander included gold metal block mid-heel boots and kitten heel sandals, while Burberry and 3.1 Phillip Lim provided height in the form of platform soles without pain."

However, to find that sweet spot, that happy medium is different for everyone. I can still manage my 4.5 inch thick Dries Van Noten pump without shaking. Let me put on a pair of delicate kitten heels and watch me level the sidewalk in a nanosecond. A year and a half of falling arches (thank you, slippers) reinforced this ruthless irony.

In fact, the Lyst Index in the aforementioned quarter touted Versace's sold-out "Medusa Aevitas" platform as the second most popular women's product, including celebrities wearing Ariana Grande and Beyoncé, which shows its optimism and growing potential. "I think that when Christmas comes, people will pay attention to how to dress themselves again," Jordan said, and he expects women to'assault on stretch pants and worn-out sneakers by Amazons.' 

"We all need to feel good again," he concluded, "dressing up to meet friends and family is a way to get back to ourselves. Obviously, with the cosmopolitan city."

Read more Ten ways fashionistas show off their best boots

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