Rihanna and Sabrina Carpenter Prove Kitten Heels’ Days Are Numbered in 2026

Rihanna and Sabrina Carpenter make me want to learn how to walk in real heels again.

Over the past few years, kitten heels have gone from a controversial model to practically the only game in town among celebrities and stylish editors, dominating shoe trends across all styles. From slingback pumps to knee-high boots, the skinny cropped heel has become an obvious choice for all occasions, amid ’90s style nostalgia. It certainly didn’t hurt that kitten heels were a more comfortable option in the wake of pandemic lockdowns that left many of our stilettos gathering dust in our closets for years.

Well, consider it Saturday evening live after the party, your last sign to make them stand out. Sabrina Carpenter and Rihanna both made these statement shoes the star of their outfits for the prestigious January 17 event. And that says a lot about Rihanna, who literally wore an $18,000 Prada coat for the occasion.

In a truly inspired mix of luxe and athleisure, Rihanna paired her sporty track jacket and Yankees cap with a black textured pencil skirt and two-tone fur coat with a statement fabric collar. But the unexpected highlights were her black lambskin and brown suede boots from Loewe, which feature respectable 3.5-inch heels and a single metal ankle chain.

Rihanna seen out and about in Manhattan on January 17, 2026 in New York.

Robert Kamau

Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter opted for a more classic look with a white silk slip dress and a long black coat with an elegant fur collar. It was a pretty tame ensemble for the pastel-loving pop star…until you got to her shoes. While Carpenter is never one to shy away from a platform for added height, the dagger-shaped heels of her white Christian Louboutin platform pumps must be over six inches tall. Good luck getting these babies through TSA.

Sabrina Carpenter is seen in New York on January 17, 2026.

XNY/Star Max

Let this be your first official warning: ultra-high-top evening shoes are the obvious next step in the 2016 fashion renaissance. You might as well start practicing now.