If you've ever wondered how to style mules, you've landed in the right place. They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I'd argue it's whoever invented the backless shoe.
There’s a reason mules will forever be my favourite shoe and admittedly, it’s not a particularly glamorous one: they don’t give you heel blisters. For anyone who has ever ended a night out barefoot, carrying their sandals home with a Compeed plaster hanging on for dear life, you’ll understand me when I say there’s something liberating about a backless shoe. They’re easy, unfussy, and comfortable from the moment you put them on, yet still somehow make every outfit feel a little more elegant.
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The style dates back centuries, with versions worn as indoor slippers by European aristocracy before eventually becoming associated with old Hollywood elegance in the 1950s and 1960s. Because the shoe has no back constraint - much like the dipped spine or ‘backless’ illusion of an equine mule, the French adopted the word mule in the 16th century to describe the silhouette. These days, the mule exists in countless forms: buttery ballerina flats, sharp kitten heels, chunky wooden clogs, woven leather slides and embellished jewel-adorned slip ons, to name a few.
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There's something about wearing a mule that makes me feel like I've got my life together. With no blisters to worry about, I find they share the same practicality as a trainer, but far more elevated. Across Copenhagen, Paris and New York Fashion Weeks, mules have become the shoe repeatedly thrown on with oversized tailoring, puddle jeans, boxer shorts and slinky slip skirts.
Part of the appeal of mules is how easily they move between relaxed and refined. Some styles lean more casual, (I'm looking at you, Birkenstock 'Boston Clogs), while others are sharper, with a pointed toe or polished leather finish that instantly reads more elevated. It’s this range that makes them so useful: they adapt to whatever you’re wearing, without needing the rest of the outfit to do the heavy lifting.
Ahead, how to style mules according to a fashion writer.
With oversized trousers
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There’s a reason mules work so well with oversized trousers: it’s all about balance. Wide-leg tailoring can easily overwhelm the body, but a backless shoe instantly lightens the silhouette, exposing just enough of the foot to stop the proportions feeling heavy.
Opting for a chunky heeled mule reminiscent of a 1990s Groovy Chick silhouette is my personal favourite way to style this look.
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With jeans
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Mules and jeans are one of those combinations that never really fail. If you're prone to overthinking an outfit, jeans and mules are my go-to formula for almost any occasion. The key is the denim. Anything too tight can feel slightly dated, so I always come back to straight-leg or looser cuts, opting for a flat mule in the daytime and slipping into a heeled mule for evenings.
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There is a very specific kind of 1990s energy that comes from pairing mules with a slip skirt, particularly if the mule has a small heel.
A structured mini skirt or simple slip style keeps things modern, while the mule adds just enough elegance to balance out shorter hemlines. Bonus points for oversized sunglasses and an aggressively good tote bag.
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With baggy shorts
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Baggy shorts can sometimes veer dangerously close to looking like PE kit unless you anchor them properly, which is exactly where mules come in.
A sleek backless shoe instantly sharpens oversized tailoring shorts or boxer-style silhouettes without making the outfit feel overly dressed. This is probably one of my favourite summer formulas because it works equally well in the city during a heatwave or on holiday with a tan and a linen shirt thrown over a bikini.
The beauty of mules is that they always add a touch of polish without the discomfort of an actual heel.
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With slouchy separates
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Personally, I think this is where mules really shine. Slouchy trousers, oversized shirting, soft knitwear - these kinds of relaxed pieces need something refined underneath to stop the outfit looking swallowed whole.
Minimal leather mules do exactly that. If you're looking to cosplay a fashion editor flitting between Fashion Week shows, a pair of slip on heels paired with a slouchy ensemble is your answer. It is relaxed, practical and quietly sexy without relying on anything too obvious. For spring and summer especially, I love monochromatic versions of this look: cream, chocolate brown, black or butter yellow from head to toe.
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