Reese Witherspoon Shifts Into Author Mode in Ankle-strap Stilettos at Her Book Launch in New York

Reese Witherspoon has been busy in New York, to put it mildly.

On Tuesday, she celebrated the launch of “Gone Before Goodbye,” the suspense-thriller novel she cowrote with Harlan Coben. At the Apple SoHo launch event for the book, the actress, producer and now-author traded her go-to slingbacks from the past few weeks of promoting both the book and season four of “The Morning Show” for a pair of ankle-strap stilettos.

Her black high heels featured a pointed toe, what appears to be a nearly four-inch heel and slim ankle strap. The silhouette, which appears to be cut in satin, is similar to classic ankle-strap pumps from the likes of Gianvito Rossi or Saint Laurent.

Witherspoon kept the rest of the look monochrome: a black crew-neck sweater, knee-length leather skirt and semi-sheer black tights that added a softer texture. She finished the look with a gold chain and watch.

The choice marks a quiet shift from the slingback run that’s defined her recent run of footwear. Over the last month, she’s rotated through suede, patent and glossy iterations of sling pumps while promoting “The Morning Show” and early previews of “Gone Before Goodbye.” The ankle strap introduces a new balance of restraint and support — a natural extension of that pointed-toe language but with a steadier finish.

“Gone Before Goodbye,” now available through Apple Books, follows Army combat surgeon Maggie McCabe as she unravels a high-stakes conspiracy that threatens to destroy what’s left of her life. Witherspoon’s appearance at the launch signaled both a new chapter in her literary career — and, perhaps, a new favorite shoe silhouette to go with it.