It began with a crescent of polished metal arched through soft leather on a slingback mule at Tory Burch’s Spring 2023 runway. Clean, sculptural and oddly satisfying, that pierced arc has evolved from a subtle design note to a full-blown footwear motif.
Tory Burch’s original take on the trend was grounded in contradiction. Soft leather and padded footbeds met hard, cold curves of metal that looked like they’d been forged in an artist’s studio.
The appeal lies in its unusual versatility. Pierced hardware adds structure without heaviness. On a simple black mule, a single ring turns it into a sculptural object. On a raffia slide or a refined loafer, the piercing offsets organic texture with precision - and designers across the spectrum are catching on.
Fast forward to summer 2025, and pierced hardware on shoes seems to be everywhere. It’s the feature that turns a flat sandal into a conversation, and allows those with a preppier style to experiment with punk-inspired aesthetics without committing to permanent body modifications.
Can’t shake your all-black silhouette, no matter the season? Consider elevating your monochromatic ensemble with some inherently wearable, comfortable yet statement-making stompers.
A piece of pierced hardware shifts a classic heel into something with edge and intelligence.
It’s not about poorly placed studs that are bound to fall off, or tacky embellishments that draw attention in all the wrong ways. These are shoes that wear their metal like a mark of punctuation.
In a season dominated by tailoring and stripped-back silhouettes, the pierced shoe offers delicate contrast with a touch of grit. That’s why it’s set to define the year’s most worn sandals, heels and mules. We’ve curated a selection of the best below.
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Tory Burch Pierced Mule
The original that sparked the pierced footwear trend. This mule pairs soft leather with a sculptural arc of metal that cuts clean through the upper, making hardware the focal point.
Introduced in the SS23 collection, it continues to set the tone for minimal design with maximum intention. It’s flat, but far from casual — structured, polished and surprisingly versatile.
Pair with tailored trousers or a silk midi to let the hardware do the talking.
Buy now £440.00, Tory Burch
Tory Burch Pierced Pumps
The Pierced Pump takes Tory Burch’s signature hardware story into a sharper, elevated space.
A mid-height, squared-off yet curved heel gives it a graphic edge, while the cut-through XL metal loop adds sculptural tension.
Buy now £520.00, Tory Burch
Manière de Voir Céleste Leather Flats with Hardware
Proof that hardware can carry the look, not just accent it.
These flats from Manière de Voir make clever use of silver-toned metal to shape the pump, giving a refined silhouette a dose of directional energy.
The midnight leather and squared toe nod to the Nineties, while the piercing-like bar grounds the shoe firmly in the now.
Buy now £120.00, Manière de Voir
Parfois Leather Sandals with Metallic Detail Straps
An accessible take on the pierced trend, these Parfois sandals rely on simplicity and smart hardware placement.
The wide leather straps are looped with glossy metallic rings that feel more industrial than ornamental.
Ideal for offsetting cotton dresses and oversized tailoring.
Buy now £39.99, Parfois
JW Pei Helena Pierced Mules
JW Pei leans into the pierced aesthetic with a mule that feels graphic and bold.
The claret red upper is cleanly punctuated by a gold-tone bar, delivering contrast without clutter. It’s a sharp alternative to embellished flats, balancing colour and metal in a way that feels unmistakably 2025.
Buy now £89.00, JW Pei
Marni Black Sabot Slip-on Loafers
Marni’s sabot slip-ons offer a quiet, architectural nod to the pierced trend. The silhouette is almost brutalist, yet complete with soft edges, folds, and mixed-metal piercings at the toe. It’s a shoe that feels engineered more than styled, with that same sense of punk minimalism seen on SS25 runways.
Buy now £675.00, SSENSE
Loewe Pebble Embellished Leather Slides
Loewe takes the pierced trend in a more sculptural direction.
These slides feature oversized pebble embellishments that double as fastening and focal point. The hardware appears to float across the leather, not unlike a piercing, but slightly more surreal.
An elegant option for when you don’t want flats to read as simple.
Buy now £795.00, Net-A-Porter
Amanu Kibera Embellished Leather Sandals
The Kibera sandal by Amanu strips back the silhouette and lets its metal hardware take the stage.
A polished semi-circle sits flush against the instep, giving the effect of a flat pierced surface. The LA-based brand hand-makes each pair to order, leaning into craftsmanship and intention.
Buy now £305.00, MyTheresa
Dr Martens 1461 Embellished Loafers
A hybrid of grit and glamour, Dr Martens reworks its 1461 loafer with Swarovski crystals that line the laces, like studs reimagined. It’s not a pierced silhouette in the literal sense, but it carries the same punk vibe, subverting a classic form with something unexpected and a little defiant.
Buy now £118.00, Dr Martens
