Enduring fashion icon Marilyn Monroe might be famously associated with Ferragamo pumps, but she also had a strong connection to a pair of clear block heels, aptly called Cinderella Slippers, that proved extremely versatile for the actress, thanks to an interchangeable ribbon feature.
The shoes’ origins are murky, but they were a go-to for the actress. Terry Newman, author of the book “Marilyn Monroe Style,” noted their prevalence in early 1950s publicity shots as she built up her acting career. While their maker is unknown, Newman presumes they were a studio-provided pair — she was frequently outfitted by the studio for publicity shoots, which could be easily used on numerous occasions thanks to the swappable ribbon feature. Newman also noted that the shoes resemble Ferragamo‘s 1938 Rainbow wedges, and Monroe would go on to purchase several pairs of Ferragamo shoes as her fame grew.
Silhouette-wise, the shoes featured a chunky platform base and a large tapered block heel with an inward slant. The set allowed for versatility in how exactly the straps were arranged as well, with Monroe showcasing either a double or single “X” formation in front; the straps often seemed to feature a satiny luster, emphasizing the balletic nature of the upper.
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In photos from the 1950s, it’s evident that the Hollywood darling could match her outfit to the set’s color scheme. In a photo shoot from circa 1952, for example, she wears them with a shiny, light blue strap to complement her strapless blue bathing suit. In a photo circa 1953, she lies on a lounge chair in a white set and she’s got the white straps to match.
The shoes also accompanied the red strapless embellished bathing suit she wore in the 1953 film “How to Marry a Millionaire” and the famous potato sack dress she wore for a photo shoot. It truly seemed like no matter the outfit, Monroe could adapt the shoes for the occasion.
Looking back at these shoes today, they forecast the clear heels trend, which is still going strong in the 2020s, whether crafted with PVC, Lucite, mesh or another see-through material. Rita Ora, for example, recently wore a pair of shoes from Sportmax featuring a mesh upper and a plexiglass wedge heel that resembles a block of ice. And at the 2022 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian paired Marilyn Monroe’s very own “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” gown with clear platform Pleasers.
While some questions remain about the history of Monroe’s versatile shoes, it’s clear, no pun intended, that their legacy is still felt today.
