Circa 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Black Satin Square-Toe Pumps — Size 9.5

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent evening pumps in black satin, defined by a sharply squared toe, low sculpted heel and tonal satin band across the vamp. The restrained silhouette is pure Saint Laurent: elegant, graphic and remarkably easy to bring into a modern wardrobe.

The interior is finished in metallic gold leather with Yves Saint Laurent branding running lengthwise along the footbed. The contrast between the softly lustrous satin and geometric toe gives the pair just enough drama without embellishment.

Archival context supports the period attribution. The Texas Fashion Collection at the University of North Texas holds a pair of Yves Saint Laurent black patent pumps dated 1970–1985, similarly constructed with a squared toe, low heel and Yves Saint Laurent interior branding. The archive describes its pair as having a squared toe box and low stacked heel. �

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Details: Black satin upper; tonal satin banded vamp; squared toe; low heel; metallic gold leather interior; Yves Saint Laurent interior branding; marked size 9.5.

Condition: Very good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear. Light surface wear is visible to the satin and interior consistent with previous use. Please review photographs closely as they form part of the condition description.

Curator's Note

It’s the restraint that makes these good. No hardware, no obvious ornament—just satin, proportion and that unapologetically squared toe.

An archival Yves Saint Laurent pair preserved by the Texas Fashion Collection and dated 1970–1985 shows strikingly similar design language: a broad squared toe, low heel and the same lengthwise Yves Saint Laurent branding inside. � While we have not located documentation for this exact model, the comparison supports placing this pair within the house's late-20th-century footwear vocabulary.

UNT Digital Library

Wear them exactly as we styled them: beneath a wide black trouser with a strong vintage jacket. The shoe almost disappears—until that square toe catches your eye.

Size 9.5