Sabrina Carpenter Embraces Fall’s Hottest Footwear Trend in Charcoal Satin Lace-Up Pumps
In the glittering aftermath of her dual-triumph on “Saturday Night Live”—where she seamlessly commanded both hosting and musical guest duties—Sabrina Carpenter delivered yet another masterclass in contemporary glamour. Departing from her signature platform silhouette, the chart-topping sensation made a deliberate pivot toward refined elegance as she descended upon Manhattan’s coveted Mermaid Oyster Bar for the evening’s celebratory festivities.
The footwear switch was nothing short of revelatory. Carpenter selected dark charcoal-gray pointy-toe pumps crafted from lustrous satin, featuring an intricate lace-up construction that spiraled gracefully around her ankles like delicate serpentine ribbons. Most captivating was the braided textile detail adorning the toe box—a subtle yet sophisticated embellishment that elevated these heels from merely beautiful to absolutely covetable. Her soft pink pedicure provided the perfect tonal counterpoint to the moody charcoal palette, demonstrating her innate understanding of those small-but-crucial styling details that separate the amateurs from the true fashion cognoscenti.
But the real genius lay in how the “Espresso” hitmaker—currently in the throes of promoting her latest album, “Man’s Best Friend”—constructed the entire ensemble. A crisp white suit vest paired with its matching miniskirt formed the foundation, exuding borrowed-from-the-boys sophistication with unmistakably feminine proportions. Beneath the structured vest, a cerulean blue satin bra peeked through provocatively, injecting just enough sensuality to transform corporate tailoring into after-dark allure. The pièce de résistance? A sequined silver purse that caught every flash of light, adding mercurial shimmer to an already luminous composition.
Carpenter’s beauty approach proved equally considered. Those hallmark voluminous blonde curls cascaded with enviable bounce, while rosy pink cheeks and coordinating lipstick created a soft, romantic flush that balanced the outfit’s sharper architectural elements. It’s this intuitive push-and-pull between hard and soft, structured and sensual, that continues to cement her status as one of pop culture’s most compelling style architects.
Her choice couldn’t be more timely. Lace-up heels have emerged as the footwear obsession dominating runways and street style alike throughout 2025. The silhouette made commanding appearances during the Spring collections at Dries Van Noten, Chloé, and Ferragamo, and if Carpenter’s interpretation signals anything, this trend shows no signs of relinquishing its grip as autumn approaches.
This post-show triumph capped off what can only be described as a high-octane fashion week for the Grammy-winning artist. Earlier in her New York sojourn, Carpenter channeled pure Carrie Bradshaw energy, pairing Manolo Blahnik’s crystal-embellished Sedaraby pumps with thick butter-yellow socks and an off-the-shoulder sweater dress—a knowing wink to the fictional style icon who first championed that audacious hosiery-and-heels combination. From breakfast television prep to late-night revelry, Carpenter proved she possesses that rarest of talents: the ability to make every outfit feel simultaneously effortless and impossibly chic.
