How Kim Kardashian Uses High Heels to Elevate Her 5’2″ Height: Iconic Shoe Moments & Petite Styling Tricks

While Kourtney Kardashian is the shortest Kardashian, Kim stands at around 5ft 2 (157.5 cm). Known for her massive shoe closet and her early footwear venture with ShoeDazzle in 2009, Kim has built a fashion identity defined by body-conscious silhouettes and a confident blend of high-fashion luxury and contemporary edge.

Her signature style revolves around sculpting, form-fitting pieces—think latex dresses, sharp jumpsuits, and sleek leather looks—often delivered in monochromatic or neutral palettes that elongate her frame.

Kendall Jenner turns heads in a sheer black-and-silver gown, while Kim Kardashian opts for a sleek black latex look as they pose with Italian fashion designer Manuele Malenotti at the 2022 LACMA Art + Film Gala (Credit: PAPIXS / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

She also helped popularize forward-thinking concepts like Balenciaga’s “pantaboot,” which merges leggings and heels into a seamless line, and she frequently collaborates with powerhouse designers including Mugler, Balenciaga, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Kim Kardashian steps out in New York City with North and Chicago, pairing her asymmetrical top and distressed cargo pants with sleek gray Balenciaga knife boots for a coordinated family Balenciaga moment on July 12, 2022 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Kim’s shoe choices play a major role in shaping her aesthetic. Pointed-toe boots and pumps are essential for adding height and creating a streamlined silhouette, while minimalist stilettos in nude, black, or PVC finishes dominate her red-carpet wardrobe.

Even her streetwear carries a couture twist, with elevated athleisure and, during the Yeezy era, suede thigh-high boots, clear PVC mules, and utilitarian combat styles that defined a significant chapter of her fashion evolution.

Kim Kardashian’s Go-To Luxury Shoe Brands

Kim Kardashian frequently opts for high heels, enhancing her height while making bold fashion statements. As featured on Your Next Shoes, some of her favorite shoe designers include Tom Ford, Hermès, Givenchy, Christian Louboutin, Yeezy, Stuart Weitzman, Gianvito Rossi, and Manolo Blahnik.

We’ve also spotted the reality star in transparent PVC platform heels, open-toe nude heels, honey-colored suede over-the-knee boots, Balenciaga animal print Pantaleggings, and pointed-toe black heels.

Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner attend the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, showcasing their distinct fashion choices with Kim in a white textured gown and Kylie in a glittering navy dress (Credit: WENN / Avalon)

“People don’t understand the pressure on me to look perfect,” Kim Kardashian once admitted.

Over the years, her shoe choices have become key to maintaining her trendsetting image, proving that the right pair of heels can transform any outfit into a statement piece.

Kim Kardashian’s Most Iconic Heel Moments

Kim Kardashian’s footwear choices consistently showcase her trendsetting style, with each pair adding a distinctive touch to her ensembles:

Over the years, she has provided varied accounts of her height. In 2008, she commented on Fox News that she was “5’2″ and 1/2”, while in 2010, she tweeted that she was “5’3″.” However, in 2011, she confirmed her height to be “5’2”.

Kim Kardashian’s biological father, Robert Kardashian, was reported to be approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall.

Kim Kardashian stuns in a bold pink cut-out gown, while Kylie Jenner complements her in a sleek black pleated dress with daring thigh-high slits at the 2022 Baby2Baby Gala (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)

The height difference between Kim Kardashian and her half-sisters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, may be due to genetic factors inherited from their respective parents.

Kim Kardashian’s Shoe Size and Conversions

In a tweet dated April 10, 2010, Kim Kardashian disclosed her shoe size in response to a fan’s inquiry. She usually wears size 6.5 but opts for size 7.5 in sneakers, giving an average shoe size of 7 (US).

Kim Kardashian revealed on Twitter that she wears size 6.5 in shoes but prefers size 7.5 for sneakers (Credit: Twitter)

A shoe size of 7 in the US corresponds to approximately 5.5 in the UK sizing system, 38 in the European sizing system (EU), and 24.5 in the Japanese sizing system (JP).

Kim Kardashian momentarily steps out of her heels during an LAX security check, revealing her perfectly groomed feet and travel-day polish (Credit: INFphoto)

Kim Kardashian’s Tips for Looking Taller: Shoes and Heels

“I’ve learned that there are a few really good styling tricks for short girls like me. They’re simple and make all the difference,” she blogged in 2016.

“Not everyone is Kendall, LOL! For those of you who also struggle with #ShortGirlProblems when it comes to getting dressed, scroll down to see my go-to styling tips!”

“Me and my sisters all have such different body types,” Kim Kardashian has said, acknowledging the height differences within her family. The reality star incorporates strategic styling tricks into her wardrobe to enhance her stature, ensuring she always looks elongated and poised.

1. Opt for clear or nude shoes that seamlessly extend the visual line of your legs, preferably with high heels to add extra inches.

2. Embrace cropped leggings, which expose more of your legs and create the illusion of length.

3. Pay attention to proportions by choosing tops or jackets that are slightly cropped and pairing them with high-waisted bottoms.

4. Consider monochromatic outfits in darker shades to create a vertical line and make you appear taller.

Kim Kardashian goes through airport security barefoot, dressed in leather leggings and a satin blazer, with a Louis Vuitton suitcase by her side (Credit: INFphoto)

In addition to the footwear designers mentioned previously, Kim Kardashian often wears Giuseppe Zanotti shoes. Her ex-husband, Kanye West, collaborated with the Italian shoe designer to create a high-end women’s footwear line.

After highlighting her iconic heel moments, it’s clear Kim’s love of height-boosting, leg-lengthening footwear extends into her day-to-day life. One standout example is her LAX return, where she chose classic Giuseppe Zanotti pumps to finish her travel ensemble.

Kim Kardashian Returns Home to LA in a Stylish Travel Outfit

In November 2014, Kim Kardashian effortlessly exuded her signature trendsetting style as she touched down at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Following 11 busy days in the United Arab Emirates and Australia, the then-34-year-old must have been happy to return to her one-year-old child.

Shielding her eyes from the paparazzi’s flashes, Kim Kardashian opted for oversized sunglasses at LAX in Los Angeles on November 25, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

Kim sported a black blouse with matching pedal pusher tights, a dark trench coat, and oversized sunglasses.

She carried a Hermès Birkin bag and a tan monogram canvas Louis Vuitton “Monogram Pegase 55” suitcase. The ensemble was completed with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti nude suede pointy-toe pumps.

Kim Kardashian donned a sleek black blouse elegantly paired with matching pedal pusher tights, which she expertly layered under a chic dark trench coat (Credit: WENN)

“At the end of the day, life is about being happy being who you are,” Kim has said. Her evolving shoe choices reflect this philosophy—each pair she wears tells a story of confidence, reinvention, and bold fashion statements.

Beyond their longtime friendship, Ciara and Kim Kardashian have also delivered unforgettable fashion moments together over the years, often photographed side by side, with their striking height difference, with Ciara at about 5’7½” (171.5 cm).

The duo grew close in the late 2000s, frequently spotted shopping and attending events, with Kim even throwing Ciara a surprise 25th-birthday party and welcoming her onto Keeping Up With the Kardashians and later to her 2011 wedding to Kris Humphries.

Kim Kardashian’s Sleek Black-and-Leather Shopping Look in Tamara Mellon Legging Boots

Kim’s look was the more structured and fashion-forward of the two, built around sharp textures and high-impact designer pieces.

Kim Kardashian and Ciara step out for a shopping trip at Bel Bambini in Beverly Hills on February 12, 2014, with Kim in sleek black Tamara Mellon leather legging boots while Ciara keeps it effortless in a cream mini dress and brown gladiator sandals (Credit: INFphoto)

Ciara and Kim Kardashian Twin in Edgy Black Layers and Statement Boots

Ciara and Kim Kardashian leave lunch in coordinated black looks, with Ciara in studded grey ankle boots and a military-inspired jacket, while Kim opts for sleek leather pants and black peep-toe booties in New York City on October 25, 2010 (Credit: INFphoto)

With their noticeable height contrast—Ciara at about 5’7½” (171.5 cm) and Kim Kardashian around 5’2″ (157.5 cm)—the longtime friends step out in coordinated black looks (Credit: Freddie Baez / Startraksphoto)

Kim’s history with Saint Laurent has always been layered—she’s a loyal consumer of the brand’s sharp, modern aesthetic. Yet, her connection to YSL has occasionally stirred conversation, especially during the years when Kanye West publicly clashed with the house’s creative direction.

Still, Kim has consistently reached for YSL footwear when the look calls for sleek lines and leg-lengthening polish. One of the strongest examples of this? She coordinated her heel moments with Kris Jenner.

Kim Kardashian & Kris Jenner in YSL Heels: Mother-Daughter Shoe Moments

Kris Jenner pairs black YSL ankle-cuff pumps with a tailored black suit, while Kim Kardashian complements her red Valentino lace dress with nude YSL patent leather heels (Credit: WENN)

Like mother, like daughter! In April 2013, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner wore two Yves Saint Laurent shoe styles.

Kris Jenner paid a visit to the Guy Hepner Gallery in West Hollywood on April 11, 2013 (Credit: WENN)

Kris wore YSL black pumps with ankle cuffs on a day out with Kendall Jenner. Looking like a professional mom-ager, she paired the shoes with a black suit.

Kris Jenner keeps it sleek in a tailored black suit with chain-detail sleeves, finishing the look with ankle-cuff YSL pumps that add edge and polish to her classic mom-ager style

For her solo meet-and-greet at Kardashian Khaos in The Mirage, the mom-to-be chose nude YSL patent pumps with a gleaming metal heel—proof that skin-colored stilettos blur the ankle line, lengthen the leg, and add flattering height in photos.

Kim Kardashian with classic red lipstick at the Kardashian Khaos store at The Mirage Hotel & Casino

That’s fitting because she looked glam, pairing her YSL heels with a bright red lace Valentino dress.

Kim Kardashian in a red Valentino macramé lace dress

Kim Kardashian holds a bottle of her Glam by Kim Kardashian floral fruity fragrance for women

Kim Kardashian makes her second solo appearance at ‘Kardashian Khaos’ at The Mirage for a fan meet-and-greet opportunity supporting her perfume ‘Glam’ in Las Vegas on April 13, 2013 (Credit: WENN)

Kim Kardashian shows off her feet in beige YSL heels, with the nude tone and pointed toe creating a seamless, leg-lengthening effect that flatters her petite frame

More Petite Style Icons Who Elevate Their Look With Smart Shoe Choices

Kim Kardashian has long shown how strategic heels, sharp silhouettes, and proportion play can redefine a petite frame. She’s not alone—several celebrities around her height have mastered the same art, turning footwear into a powerful styling tool. Explore how other 5′2″ stars elevate their looks through smart shoe choices below.