It usually takes a brand with strong historical roots to do a convincing vintage reference, and that’s something that Yves Saint Laurent has in spades, even if the company’s 1962 advent doesn’t quite date back to the era of the Yves Saint Laurent Palais Slingbacks. These shoes are a tad more 1940s in their silhouette, and I could easily see them on the feet of a screen siren in a beautiful, handmade gown.

Because of the neutral color scheme and the penchant for retro lines in modern fashion, these shoes would be simple to incorporate into an outfit even if the rest of the pieces didn’t include any references. Even peeking out from under a pair of trousers, the white and black contrast would make a strong stylistic statement that would still be wearable in many locations, so long as you can contend with the heel.

What of the white suede, though? Suede itself is enough of a wear-and-tear problem, and anyone who’s ever owned a pair of white shoes knows how quickly circumstances can work out to your detriment with a light color that close to the ground. I’d also be worried that the black dye might bleed onto the white in the presence of moisture since suede is such a porous material no matter the color, but my first concern would be discoloration from normal wear and tear. This may be the type of style that could bring some Old Hollywood glamour to your wardrobe, but just not every day. Buy through Saks for $795.

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