redheeled

Redheeled is an English adjective used to describe footwear featuring red heels. It is commonly hyphenated as red-heeled, though modern catalogs may also use the closed form redheeled. In fashion discourse, the term describes shoes with red heels, typically high heels, and can also describe a person wearing such footwear.

In historical contexts, red-heeled shoes became a symbol of status in early modern Europe. Louis XIV of France popularized the trend in the late 17th century, wearing red-heeled shoes to signify royal rank. The color and distinct heel were associated with court hierarchy, and access to red-heeled footwear was at times restricted to the nobility or certain orders. The fashion persisted into the 18th century and influenced artisans and designers.

Today, red-heeled shoes are a staple in fashion, used to convey boldness or glamour. Designers often employ bright or contrasting reds, a range of heel heights, and varying materials. The term may appear in fashion journalism or product descriptions as descriptive shorthand rather than a strict category. Red-heeled footwear remains linked to cultural associations with power, femininity, and performer aesthetics in some contexts.