Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari stepped out in sharply contrasting looks while promoting Laguna Beach: The Reunion at the Empire State Building in New York City—offering two distinct takes on petite dressing.
At 5’4″ (162.6 cm), Conrad leaned into relaxed polish with cropped denim and easy Rag & Bone mules, while Cavallari, who stands at 5’3″ (160 cm), took a more sculpted approach in a glossy PVC pencil skirt paired with minimal slingback heels that subtly lengthened her frame.
Kristin Cavallari sharpens her glossy PVC look with minimal black slingback heels, while Lauren Conrad keeps it effortless in black Rag & Bone mules alongside Stephen Colletti’s clean white sneakers at the Empire State Building on April 7, 2026, in New York City (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
The duo, who recently coordinated in white, beachy outfits at the premiere of the Roku Channel special, switched things up here by leaning into their individual style signatures—Conrad favoring understated, everyday ease, and Cavallari dialing up a sleeker, more directional silhouette. Let’s take a closer look at their outfits.
Lauren Conrad Keeps It Classic in Rag & Bone Carter Mules, Denim, and a Camel Coat
Lauren Conrad kept things laid-back but still really chic, and I honestly loved how effortless the whole look was.
She slipped into the Rag & Bone “Carter” mules in soft black leather, and they were the perfect choice for her casual outfit. They featured a shiny penny-slot strap that extended a bit to the sides, adding a nice detail.
The open-back design gives them that relaxed, slip-on ease seen in styles like Olivia Munn’s Victoria Beckham “Harlow” mules, making them feel effortless but still considered. The almond-shaped toes keep the look softly polished, while subtle leather piping adds a refined finish—similar to the clean, minimalist appeal of Emily Ratajkowski’s Paris Texas “Lidia” mules.
Lauren Conrad keeps things effortlessly polished in black Rag & Bone “Carter” mules, featuring a classic penny-slot strap and a sleek backless silhouette that complements her cropped denim (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)
Keeping everything else casual, Lauren paired the mules with straight-leg jeans that were slightly cropped at the hem, letting the shoes peek through nicely. On top, she wore a black turtleneck tucked into the jeans, which kept the outfit looking clean and put-together.
Elevating the whole look a bit, Conrad layered on a long camel coat. I liked how it added structure and warmth while also giving the outfit that classic, timeless feel.
Lauren Conrad kept her accessories minimal with just stud earrings. Her blonde hair was styled in soft waves with a center part, and her makeup stayed natural with pink tones, mascara, and lipstick.
Lauren Conrad pairs her comfy mules with casual jeans, a black turtleneck top, and a camel coat (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)
Kristin Cavallari Goes Bold in Black Slingback Heels and a Glossy PVC Pencil Skirt
Kristin Cavallari went for a sultry, all-black look. She slipped into a pair of black slingback sandals that kept things minimal but still polished.
The design featured a slim strap across the toes and another at the heel, leaving the sides open and giving the shoes a light, barely-there feel. I liked how the thin stiletto heels added height without taking attention away from the rest of the outfit.
These sandals reminded me of Aquazzura’s “So Nude” sandals, which also featured a clean, minimal style. They’re available for $850 at Mytheresa.
Kristin Cavallari elongates her look with black suede slingback sandals, featuring slim toe straps and towering stiletto heels that keep the silhouette sleek and barely there (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)
The sandals worked really well with Cavallari’s black PVC pencil skirt, which was definitely the standout. It hugged her curves like a second skin, sitting high on the waist and fitted through the hips and thighs before ending right at the knees. The glossy finish gave it an edgy, high-shine look, elevating the outfit.
Up top, Kristin wore a black crepe satin top with an off-the-shoulder neckline and soft ruffle detailing. I really liked how it framed her shoulders and added a bit of volume, balancing out the sleekness of the skirt while still keeping that sexy vibe.
Her hair was styled in tousled waves, which added to the look’s overall sultry feel. She kept her makeup soft, with subtle smoky eyes and nude lips, and kept accessories minimal, just a bangle and a few rings.
Kristin Cavallari goes the sultry route, pairing her stiletto sandals with a black PVC pencil skirt and an off-the-shoulder top (Credit: mpi099 / MediaPunch / INSTARimages)
Two Takes on Minimalist Heels That Always Work
From Lauren Conrad’s easy, slip-on mules to Kristin Cavallari’s sleek slingback heels, both looks show how pared-back footwear can completely shape an outfit—whether you’re going for relaxed polish or a sharper, more sculpted silhouette.
If you’re drawn to these clean, versatile styles, the moments below offer even more ways to wear them.
👠 Explore More Minimalist Mules & Slingback Heel Moments:
- 🖤 Mary-Kate Olsen’s square-toe mule moment is a strong match for Lauren Conrad’s pared-back approach, pairing sleek black mules with tailored separates and an ivory outer layer for the same minimalist, polished effect.
- 👖 This cropped-jeans styling guide complements Conrad’s denim-and-coat formula, with ankle-baring cuts designed to highlight the shoes.
- ✨ Scarlett Johansson’s minimalist black slingback sandals echo Kristin Cavallari’s barely-there heel choice, using slim straps and a stiletto lift to keep an all-black look sleek.
- 🥂 Elle Fanning’s Aquazzura “So Nude” sandals at the 2026 Astra Film Awards offer another clean take on the delicate, elongating sandal silhouette seen on Cavallari.
- 👡 Camila Morrone’s black Paris Texas mules extend the same modern mule story, showing how a backless heel can sharpen an understated outfit.