Kim Kardashian’s Balenciaga-heavy New York appearances in late 2021 captured a clear shift in her style evolution, moving away from bodycon glamour toward sharper, more experimental silhouettes built around statement footwear.
Across three very different looks, the common thread was the dominance of the shoes — from Balenciaga’s Knife boots to sparkling evening heels — showing how her styling increasingly centered around dramatic proportions and strong accessories.
Kim Kardashian Builds a Monochrome Balenciaga Look Around Denim Knife Boots
In November 2021, Kim Kardashian leaned fully into Balenciaga’s sharp, futuristic aesthetic while heading to Zero Bond in New York City.
Kim Kardashian layered an oversized charcoal Balenciaga coat over the brand’s faded denim Knife thigh-high boots while arriving at Zero Bond in SoHo, creating a sharply tailored monochrome look built around the boots’ signature pointed silhouette and stiletto heel on November 2, 2021 (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
The focal point of the look was a pair of faded blue Knife thigh-high boots, one of the fashion house’s most recognizable silhouettes of the era, styled with an oversized houndstooth coat and sleek black separates.
Rather than competing with the statement footwear, the rest of the outfit stayed tonal and streamlined.
Kim Kardashian styled her distressed denim thigh-high Balenciaga boots with black leggings (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
Kardashian paired the dramatic denim boots with fitted black leggings, leather gloves, angular sunglasses, and a structured faux-fur tote, allowing the pointed Knife silhouette to dominate the look without overwhelming it.
Balenciaga’s distressed denim print Knife thigh-high boots
Kim Kardashian’s Futuristic Balenciaga Gown Continued Her Knife Boot Era
Earlier in the day, she sported a futuristic Balenciaga Fall 2021 gown while running errands.
She styled her boilersuit-style maxi twill dress ($2,750) with statement sunglasses, Knife ankle boots, and a metallic Balenciaga Hourglass bag.
Kim Kardashian embraces Balenciaga’s dystopian aesthetic in a structured black twill gown paired with sharp Knife ankle boots, futuristic visor sunglasses, gloves, and a crystal-covered Hourglass bag while stepping out in New York City on November 2, 2021 (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
Cut from twill with a sleek stand collar, her otherworldly gown is inspired by and modeled within a futuristic gaming world.
Kim Kardashian totes a glittering Balenciaga Hourglass top-handle XS bag (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
Before Balenciaga, Kim Kardashian Favored Glittering Glamour at The Cher Show
Before the sharp silhouettes and statement Knife boots of her later Balenciaga era, Kim Kardashian favored a more traditionally glamorous approach to evening dressing, pairing a shredded Atelier Versace Fall 1998 metallic gown with glittering Manolo Blahnik Chaos heels at the opening night of The Cher Show in New York City in December 2018.
Kim Kardashian with her husband Kanye West at the opening night performance of the new Broadway musical The Cher Show at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City on December 3, 2018 (Credit: WENN / Joseph Marzullo)
It’s well known that the KKW Beauty founder considers Cher to be her idol, so no one was surprised when she decided to attend the musical.
Kim Kardashian wore her hair in a low ponytail to celebrate her favorite artist
The Broadway musical, which played its final performance on August 18, 2019, followed Cher’s incredible rise to pop stardom over six decades.
Wearing her hair in a low ponytail, Kim flaunted her curves in a shredded silver dress with a sexy open back and a modest neckline. She styled her relatively conservative gown with glittering high heels.
Kim Kardashian stuns in a shredded silver Atelier Versace Fall 1998 gown featuring a dramatic open back, metallic fringe detailing, and a sculpted silhouette
Her equally famous husband rocked a custom black suit paired with Reebok Daytona DMX sneakers designed by Christian Tresser.
Kim Kardashian sparkles in crystal-embellished ankle-strap heels that peek beneath her shredded metallic gown, adding a glamorous finish to her Cher-inspired Broadway night out in New York City
The woman of the hour also made an appearance. The American singer and actress hit the black carpet with Bob Mackie, an American fashion designer, in an all-black ensemble.
Cher and Bob Mackie at the opening night performance of the new Broadway musical The Cher Show at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City on December 3, 2018 (Credit: WENN / Joseph Marzullo)
From Glittering Heels to Knife Boots, Kim Kardashian’s Style Evolution Has Always Started With the Shoes
Whether she’s stepping out in sparkling evening sandals, sculptural platform heels, or Balenciaga’s instantly recognizable Knife boots, Kim Kardashian consistently builds her outfits around statement footwear.
Her fashion evolution over the years reflects a shift from glossy red-carpet glamour to sharper, more experimental silhouettes, but the shoes have remained the focal point throughout each era of her style.
👠 Explore Kim Kardashian’s Standout Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 💗 Kim Kardashian’s pink Balenciaga SNL catsuit turned matching Knife boots into the anchor of a full monochrome fashion statement.
- 🖤 Her gray Alaïa knit dress and Balenciaga Knife boots show how a sharp pointed-toe boot can extend a sleek, body-skimming silhouette.
- ✨ At the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars Party, Kim used gold Pleaser platform heels to heighten the drama of Demna’s crystal-covered Gucci gown.
- 🕶️ Her defining 2022 shoe moments moved from Balenciaga vinyl boots to barely-there Dolce & Gabbana heels and minimalist flip sandals.
- 🤍 Kim’s transparent Manolo Blahnik sandals added a clean, barely visible finish to her metallic Rick Owens gown at the 2019 FGI Night of Stars.
- 🪢 Her Aquazzura braided-rope sandals brought texture and height to a polished Wolford dress and Acne Studios jacket pairing.