After seasons of sky-high platforms dominating the runways — leading some to lament their ubiquity — ladylike pumps have sprung up for spring. And what we call the pump, the British have coined the court shoe — a sharply pointed toe with the perfect curve around the top of the foot to highlight just a hint of toe cleavage for a dose of subtle sex appeal. Heel heights can range from kitten to a teetering four inches for a look that’s very “nonchalant French girl” when paired with slightly cropped, cuffed jeans.
Taking cues from Louis Vuitton’s and Nina Ricci’s catwalks, retailers are offering up court shoes in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures. For the purist, Ann Taylor stocks a sleek black version in a faux snakeskin, while Manolo Blahnik’s BB pump comes in array of colors ranging from neon brights to sleek exotics. And if it’s pattern you’re seeking, ASOS and Oscar de la Renta rendered theirs in a variety of seasonally appropriate florals. Click ahead to see these and more in our slideshow.