Not Ballet Flats, Not Pointy Pumps—Kendall Jenner's The Row Shoes Are an Unexpected Hybrid
Our take
The resurgence of the wedge heel, particularly as championed by Kendall Jenner and The Row, signals a fascinating shift in the current footwear landscape. It’s not simply a return to a comfortable alternative to stilettos, but a deliberate challenge to the dominance of the flat shoe – the ballet flat, the loafer, even the increasingly ubiquitous denim-styled sandal – that have reigned supreme for the past few seasons. This movement feels particularly noteworthy considering the recent embrace of minimalist aesthetics and the prioritization of ease and practicality in fashion. We've seen this play out in other areas of style too, like Lola Tung's daring peekaboo-bra dress [Lola Tung's Daring Peekaboo-Bra Dress Is a Far Cry From Her 'Summer I Turned Pretty' Style] demonstrating a willingness to embrace unexpected silhouettes. The wedge, in its quiet way, embodies a similar spirit of unexpected evolution, offering a grounded elevation rather than a complete departure from comfort. This is a rejection of the purely utilitarian, opting instead for a considered elegance.
The beauty of The Row’s interpretation, and what makes Jenner’s adoption so impactful, lies in its subtle sophistication. These aren’t the chunky, overtly sporty wedges of the early 2000s. Instead, they’re refined, often featuring a streamlined silhouette and luxurious materials, aligning perfectly with the brand's commitment to understated luxury. It speaks to a desire for a certain polish, a return to a sense of occasion even in everyday wear. It’s also interesting to consider this alongside the cyclical nature of trends, particularly the recent return of "controversial" jewelry [ICYMI, This "Controversial" Jewellery Trend Is Back—Heres How To Wear It in 2026]. Both phenomena suggest a move away from the relentlessly casual, towards a more considered and curated approach to personal style. The wedge, in this context, becomes a vehicle for expressing a sense of quiet confidence and intentionality—a hallmark of the modern muse.
This isn't about sacrificing comfort for style; it's about finding a harmonious blend of the two. The wedge offers the height and visual interest of a heel without the precariousness of a stiletto. It allows for a feeling of elevation while maintaining a grounded stability, a sentiment that resonates with a generation prioritizing well-being and mindful consumption. Moreover, the wedge's versatility is undeniable. It can be effortlessly styled with everything from flowing summer dresses to tailored trousers, bridging the gap between casual and formal with ease. The increasing popularity of sports-inspired styling [It's the Summer of Sports—Here's How Fashion People Are Styling Everything From Jerseys to Track Shorts] further underscores this desire for adaptability; the wedge seamlessly integrates into this evolving aesthetic, offering a touch of refinement amidst the athletic influence.
Looking ahead, the wedge’s revival suggests a broader shift in footwear preferences – a move towards silhouettes that offer both comfort and a touch of elevated style. Will this trend solidify, or will it prove to be a fleeting moment of celebrity-driven influence? It's worth watching how designers continue to reinterpret the wedge for upcoming seasons, and whether the public embraces this unexpected hybrid with the same enthusiasm as Kendall Jenner. The key will be maintaining that delicate balance between practicality and aspiration, ensuring the wedge remains a symbol of effortless elegance rather than a nostalgic throwback.
Wedge heels are so back, but not just as a comfort-first stiletto swap. On the celebrity street style circuit, they're challenging summer's leading flats trends, including loafers, ballet flats, and even flip-flops. For her jeans outfit on August 4, Kendall Jenner wore unconventional wedges from The Row in place of her go-to thong sandals.
Before joining Hailey Bieber at L.A.'s Moroccan Lounge for their friend Justine Skye's concert, Jenner's evening began at the Italian restaurant Antico Nuovo. There, she styled her black baby tee, loose-fitting jeans, and chocolate brown bowling bag from The Row with the pointy Liisa Pumps, also courtesy of the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen-led label.
From the front, the $1,190 lambskin leather pair resembled razor-sharp ballet flats, complete with the trendy high-vamps and a glossy black sheen. Once the supermodel showcased the pump's side profile, however, she revealed the 2-inch-tall heels. Unlike chunkier wedges from the late '90s and early 2000s, the platforms featured subtly tapered heels that gave the pair their ballet flat guise.
While the summer has been full of The Row flip-flop and ballet flat appearances, the style is a relative newcomer to the shoe offering. The wedge is fresh from the Summer 2026 collection, though it's an evolution from the Liisa kitten heels the minimalist-beloved brand launched in the early 2010s.
The OG heels, known for equally acute toes and slim baby heels, have earned endorsements from Bieber, Zendaya, Jennifer Lawrence, Greta Lee, and even Jenner. Since the Liisa Wedges launched last April, HoYeun Jung, Ayo Edebiri, and Daisy Edgar-Jones modeled them during magazine photoshoots and press tours.
Once Jenner's exact pair inevitably sells out (such is the life of the model-approved picks), shop alternative finds below.
Shop Teeny-Tiny Wedges Inspired by Kendall Jenner
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