Behold, the nipple heel.

If you've given the return of kitten heels a hard pass, you might want to look away now.

Because hot on their tiny, clacky heels, is an even tinier, clackier heel.

We are now entering the era of the nipple heel.

Watch: The Wrong Shoe Theory. Post continues below.

New York fashion writer Liana Satenstein coined the term in an issue of her popular newsletter, Neverworns. Defining the nipple heel as "shorter and stouter" than a kitten heel, she says the name came to her because of its "puckered" look.

"It reminded me of a nipple. A pinched nipple, to be exact. I was looking at a nipple heel," she shared, referencing a vintage thong sandal by Tod's.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Liana Satenstein (@liana_ava)

The writer began a personal mission to uncover the nipple heels of fashion collections past, unearthing pre-worn treasures from the likes of Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu and Chanel that were listed on resale sites such as eBay and Depop. Then her followers started sending in their own nipple-esque contenders in a search for the "smallest heels ever."

But while the style was incredibly popular in the '90s (you might've even worn it the first time around), it's no longer just a relic of a bygone fashion era.

Not only has the nipple heel popped up in the collections of subversive designer brands like The Row and Loewe, we're starting to see the style trickle through to the high street too. It won't be long until they're everywhere — yes, really.

Kitten heels have been "back" in the mainstream for a while now, but hit their stride this year with the rise of the bestselling Miu Miu Slingback Heels. A celebrity favourite spotted on Gigi Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Alexa Chung and Chloe Sevigny, Vogue called them the 'It shoe of the season'. It's no surprise the $2k shoes have spawned many a copycat style.

Miu Miu's cult slingback kitten heels. Image: Instagram/@miumiu. Photographed by @Esther_Theaker. Creative direction by @EdwardQuarmby. Styled by @LottaVolkova.

The trend for heeled thongs hasn't hurt either, because no one wants a slingback style with six inches of heel. That's just entirely too much clack to handle.

Per Wikipedia, kitten heels are a type of stiletto that is actually not very stiletto-y at all, given their heel height tends to be less than five centimetres.

Their surging popularity might be down to providing a more comfortable alternative to sky-high platforms or pumps.

Prioritising comfort is definitely in-step with how many of us prefer to dress now — and as Satenstein writes, nipple heels are actually the "lowest effort yet the most statement-making" option.

The statement they make? That you CBF wearing an actual heel.

"The nipple heel is the heel you wear to abide by dress codes and social norms in the most petty way," she says.

If you don't mind your shoes with a side of hobble, they might just be for you.

Meanwhile, if this has whet your appetite for some barely-there heels of your own, scroll on to shop a few of our faves.

Zara Kitten Heel Fabric Mules, $79.95.

Image: Supplied.

Billini Teagan Bone Patent, $99.95.

Image: Supplied.

Wildfire Tulsi, $55.

Image: Supplied.

Wildfire Copal, $70.

Image: Supplied.

Pull & Bear Patent Finish Kitten Heel Shoes, $69.99.

Image: Supplied,

Will you be wearing the nipple heel trend, or passing on this one? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Feature image: Zara; Billini via Instagram/@amyz_k