There’s a reason slingback mules are showing up everywhere, including runways and top celebrities’ Instagram pages. These backless heels with a simple strap around the heel are easy to slip on and stylish enough to wear with jeans or dresses at home or work.
Early 2025 Fashion Week featured influencers pairing slingback mules with oversized T-shirts, leather trench coats, and elegant dresses. Vogue describes the slingback as the sexiest summer shoe, and TikTokkers share the slingback as the solution to prevent shoes from slipping off in the workplace.
Some shoppers often confuse slingback pumps with slingback mules because both have a strap around the heel. Slingback pumps have a fully closed back, but mules are open, so it is easy to slip on and off. Mules are more lightweight, breathable, and comfortable for warm-weather dressing without sacrificing style.
For business owners catering to women’s fashion, missing out on this trend could mean missing out on one of the best-selling fashion items of the year.
Table of Contents
The global footwear market
10 trendy slingback mules people are wearing in 2025
1. Slingback mules with block heels
2. Kitten heel slingbacks
3. Pointed-toe mules
4. Bow accent mules
5. Embellished luxury slingbacks
6. Transparent PVC mules
7. Peep-toe mules
8. Slingback mules as flats
9. Mary Jane slingback mules
10. Classic leather slingback mules
Conclusion
The global footwear market
“Slingback mules” fall under the large footwear market and gather about 1500 monthly searches globally. The global footwear market is predicted to reach USD 500 billion in 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.58%.
The demand for footwear that maintains style while being comfortable, the rise in e-commerce platforms, and the influence of social media and celebrity endorsements on fashion trends are major factors causing the growth of this market.
Some slingback mules are also manufactured and styled using sustainable leather and organic cotton materials, making them more appealing to eco-conscious buyers.
10 trendy slingback mules people are wearing in 2025
Being up-to-date with the latest fashion trends in footwear that women buy in 2025 can help businesses capitalize on this expanding market. We reviewed the ten trendiest slingback mule styles for women in 2025 and why fashion buyers rush them. These shoes are not one-size-fits-all, so ensure you attend to your customers’ needs and offer those for different body styles.
1. Slingback mules with block heels
Most slingback mules have pointed heels, which look sleek. But block heel slingbacks, anywhere from 2 to 3″, are ideal for working mums, teachers, and event planners. Block heels have a stable and comfortable platform that supports women with wider feet size or arch support needs.
Pair your offerings with cropped jeans and a T-shirt for a laid-back look or a summer dress for an easy dinner party combination.
2. Kitten heel slingbacks
Kitten-heel slingback mules are making a huge comeback. The cushioned insole and anti-slip outsole mean no sore feet for corporate women after long hours of meetings. In states like Paris and New York, they are very popular during the spring sales season.
3. Pointed-toe mules
The pointed design makes a statement that tells you that they’re for dressers who love to look sharp. Slingback designs pointed at the front are mostly ordered by fashion-forward Gen Z and Millennial shoppers. These mules emphasize a streamlined silhouette, creating an elongated leg effect.
Pencil skirts, minimalist dresses, and formal palazzo trousers are some of the clothing that Gen Z customers pair with them. Pointed-toe mules are also profitable for businesses targeting working-class women who love the casual professional jeans and blazer looks.
4. Bow accent mules
For customers looking for an easy way to make neutral or unisex outfits more feminine, offer bow-knotted slingbacks. Adding bow-knotted slingbacks to a teen girl’s or bridesmaids’ collection will make it more appealing to gift shoppers scouting for Mother’s Day specials and female gifts.
5. Embellished luxury slingbacks
Luxury slingback mules beaded in pearls, gold, and silver are statement pieces that brides and guests wear for weddings and stunning red-carpet moments. These designs are often designed by top brands like Amina Muaddi and Rene Caovilla, making them popular picks for high-end boutiques that want to order the latest in luxury fashion.
Offer luxury slingback mules alongside satin pantsuits, evening dresses, and leather pencil skirts to match the VIP status of customers who often seek this style.
6. Transparent PVC mules
This trend is followed by Gen Z TikTok shoppers and Instagram influencers who love sleek aesthetics. Transparent PVC footwear elongates the leg and matches any color palette, making dressing up easier.
In the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and other warm countries, transparent PVC heels are functional, allowing wearers to breathe during summer and warm conditions.
7. Peep-toe mules
Open-toe slingbacks can be functional for women with sweaty feet. The open-toe design allows air circulation, which prevents moisture from building up. Offer peep-toe and open-toe slingbacks to attract shoppers in tropical countries. Flat open-toe slingbacks also look amazing when paired with maxi dresses.
8. Slingback mules as flats
Not every woman wants to wear heels, and that’s fine. Slingback mules, as flats, are perfect for pregnant women or moms doing school runs or grocery shopping. They were made for women who want to feel stylish in home wear or casual dresses but can’t deal with high heels.
While shopping for flats, consider slingbacks with an extra sandal strap in front to offer a unique and extra-comfortable sandal look.
9. Mary Jane slingback mules
Mary Jane slingbacks have a rounded toe, modern heel, and a single strap across the foot. Women’s footwear made in this style easily brings back a nostalgic schoolgirl vibe.
Mary Jane shoes appeal to vintage fashion lovers and women who value modesty. Office workers in conservative dress codes can pair Mary Jane slingbacks with A-line skirts, puff sleeves, and soft florals.
10. Classic leather slingback mules
Smooth leather slingbacks in gray suede or black will forever be every woman’s favorite. They’re one of the easiest sandals to recommend year-round, especially for shoppers in El Salvador, Burkina Faso, and the British Virgin Islands.
Choose only leather slingbacks that last to attract mature, quality-focused customers who could become repeat shoppers.
Conclusion
If there’s one footwear style women are leaning into this year, it’s the slingback mule. This trendy footwear tops the chart because it is comfortable and stylish enough to match various outfits and styles for work and the weekend.
Slingback mules and other trendy footwear sell well during seasonal sales, new arrivals, and Mother’s Day promotions. Ensure your online store accepts currencies like XOF Fr, ETB Br, EGP, and DJF so you can easily shop globally and sell locally in countries with high demand.
Your customers are already scrolling, saving, and looking for where to buy these styles. To make your store the place they find them, visit Alibaba.com to shop stylish slingback mules made with quality materials that keep those orders coming.
