The D’Orsay is a style of shoe which has one or both sides cutout, exposing the arch of the wearer’s foot. This style has featured constantly among trending shoes for the past 3 – 5 years. You’ll find wedges, pumps, kitten heels and flats designed with the signature side-opening(s) of the D’Orsay.

It was invented in the 19th century by a man (a nobleman) who intended it to be worn by men. Its v-shaped vamp and curved sides soon caught the eye of women and the rest is history.

For exposing more skin than usual, wearing D’Orsay heels was scandalous back in the day. It certainly didn’t help that the exposed arch is the most sensitive part of the foot.

Thankfully, those days are long gone and the D’orsay style is here to stay.

Aesthetics aside, the sides of a shoe actually serve a purpose. They work to keep the foot inside the shoe. Because they don’t have sides, it can be a bit of a struggle keeping your feet inside a pair of D’Orsays. This is one reason to go for the Half D’Orsay which has one open side instead of the full D’Orsay. You may also opt for a pair with an ankle strap like JK Bennett’s Alexa heels. (For tips on how to choose and wear your D’orsay heels, check out this article on About.com)

If you love flats, then D’Orsay flats and kitten heels are perfect. In addition to being stylish and comfortable, their stability makes it easier to manage foot slipouts and inevitable shoe expansions. That said, there is no substitute for picking D’Orsays with the right size and features for your feet.

Take a look at some of my favourites as spotted on Polyvore: