Types of Heels

As one of the most popular styles of footwear for women, heels can help you take your outfit to the next level. Heeled shoes are versatile and can serve many different purposes, but the right heels will provide you with the perfect combination of comfort, confidence, and fashion. Whether you need a professional touch to a casual outfit or want a cute look for date night, there are many different types of heels. To inspire you with ideas, here are some of the best styles of heels to pair with your outfits.

The best way to pick the right heel for your feet is to get a sense of your options. There are many high-heeled shoes to consider and here are some top picks you won’t want to miss.

Block Heels

If you’re looking for a confident stride through the office, block heels might just be the right shoe for you. Thanks to the thick base, blocked heeled footwear are comfortable and easy to wear for longer periods. “The block heeled shoe is a fashion staple for the modern women, offering the perfect balance of style and comfort that can complement any outfit,” says Ana Roberts, co-founder and chief editor at Top Trends Guide.

Cuban Heels

The Cuban heel is largely inspired by men’s fashion and most often found on closed-toed shoes, including Oxfords and cowboy boots. They’re usually short to medium-height shoes with a gender-neutral vibe.

Comma Heels

Comma heels get their name from the comma shape design and because these heels date back to the 1950s, they have a classical elegance about them that will never go out of style.

Cone Heel

As the name would indicate, a cone heel has a cone shape that starts out wide on the shoe and tapers to a point. They’re very versatile and can be found at any height and style, but the silhouette is always striking and fierce.

Decorative Heels

Decorative heels are those special occasion shoes you can’t miss. They’re the canvas for creative designers and can span a wide variety of themes and aesthetics, from the Cinderella slipper to a spikey, chic punk design.

Flared Heel

The flared heel is an iconic piece that dates back to the Flower Power era and has recently come back into style. With a broad, wide base, the flared heel is comfortable for long-term use and can be dressed up for nights out or kept casual and cool as everyday shoes.

High Heel

To be considered a high heel, the shoe must be several inches tall, though the design varies greatly. High heels have a long and exciting history and have been used to help their wearers feel confident, powerful, and beautiful for centuries.

Kitten Heel

The kitten heel is traditionally shorter than two inches and is an excellent way to get the posture boost of a high heel without the height or discomfort sometimes associated with heels. Kitten heels have a wide variety of uses and can be found everywhere from political fashion to workplace dress to upscale social events.

Medium Heel

Height-wise, the medium heel falls between the kitten heel and the high heel, which makes them comfortable for all-day use. Explore neutral tones for work or try out bold colors for flawless elegance at your next party.

Slim Heel

When people think of high heels, they often think of the slim heel. Slim heels are the perfect fit for a sexy outfit and a night on the town. They add height, straighten your posture and help to slim your figure. Pair them with a ball gown, a maxi dress, or a slinky dance-ready number.

Very High Heel

When you want all eyes on you, the very high heel is the shoe for the job. There’s no upper limit to how high these shoes can go and platforms are added at the front for comfort. According to Page Six, Lady Gaga has been known to rock these heels as a fashion statement. These shoes fit with sexier, bolder outfits more than professional ones.

Spool Heel

The spool heel is a stunning piece of fashion that really makes a statement. With origins in classic European art movements and design inspiration from spinning wheels of old, the spool heel is a uniquely elegant way to showcase your style.

Square Heel

As the name would indicate, the square heel has a rectangular design that makes it easier to wear them for longer periods of time. They come in many different designs and can be perfect for the office, a summer picnic or a social event.

Thick Cuban Heel

Because Cuban heels are more masculine in origin, these thick Cuban heels can be found in utilitarian fashion styles, like military aesthetics or chunky boots. The wide base makes them easy to walk in and they’re sure to make a bold statement every time.

Different Types of Heels Shoes

Not only do you have many great choices when it comes to the type of heel you can pick, but there are unique combinations of heel and shoe type that can make an outfit fashionable or unique. Knowing which shoe style fits which heel will make it easier to find that perfect pair for you.

Ankle Booties

Whether you’re headed to class, the office, or the latest art gallery opening, ankle booties will add a touch of playful elegance to your outfit. Dress them up with metallic colors and studded accents or go for cute and casual with neutral tones. While ankle boots look great throughout the year, this shoe style is most popular during the spring and fall, according to this by Lands’ End.

Pumps

When you need the perfect shoe for the surprise summer wedding or tomorrow’s big presentation, the classic pump will play double duty as a comfortable working shoe and a fashionable piece that is sure to enhance your confidence.

Heel Boots

Boots are the perfect shoe for transitional seasons where it isn’t too warm or too cold. They can be worn with everything from denim pants to cotton dresses to fancier evening clothes and will always help you look sharp and effortlessly put together.

Platform Heels

The platform at the front of the heel will help to reduce any uncomfortable bend in the foot and make it easier to achieve those high heights. They’re perfect for nights out with friends and for taking that hot new outfit up a notch.

Wedge Heels

Wedge heels take a lot of the pressure off the arch of the foot and the ankle and add a modernist, chic look to any outfit. They come in a wide variety of fabrics and textures, so you can pair them with many different outfits.

Wedge Sandals

Wedge sandals are perfect for summer dresses and add a little extra fun to any look. Because of the wide platform, they’re more comfortable for long-term wear and are the perfect way to show off your pedicure.

Stilettos

Stilettos are high, chic shoes worn socially to make the wearer even more gorgeous and alluring. Stilettos have a unique and exciting history that dates back hundreds of years and is full of danger and romance – it’s no wonder they add such confidence.

High/Mid/Low-Heel Sandals

The summer sandal gets kicked up a notch with a heel to fit any occasion. Whether you’re headed to a wedding or looking for the perfect beach day adventure shoe, these heeled summer sandals are playful and cute, and pair well with dresses and shorts alike.

Slingback Heels

The slingback heel refers to the strap that wraps around the ankle and helps to hold the heel in place. Where straps normally bisect the foot, the slingback displays it fully for a longer, more elegant look. They come in many heights and are often used by professional women.

Ankle Strap Heels

The ankle strap heel can be a lot of fun since the strap leaves room for adornment and decoration like bows and metal decals.

Peep Toe Heels

Show off your summer nails with peep-toe heels that tease the toes and still add an elegant look to any outfit.

Mules

Add a modern take on a retro 1990s classic with velvet or suede mule heels. They’re comfortable, elegant, and add a little extra fun to your look.

Lace-Up Heels

Lace-up heels are unique and stylish and take their inspiration from the classically feminine ballet slipper and the roman gladiator sandal alike. The tie is made of ribbon or a thick shoelace and often creates a beautiful bow at the top.

Cut-Out Heels

Cut-out heels are bold and will give your outfit a chic and modern look inspired by art and high fashion. If you have foot or ankle tattoos or just want to make a statement, these shoes are perfect.

Oxfords

Oxford shoes take their inspiration from British boarding schools and classic English fashion. For women and in heel form, they can be feminine and help add a classic academia aesthetic to school and work clothes.

Espadrille Heels

Espadrille heels embody summer with their unique mix of textiles, including a woven or canvas base and cotton ties. They’re cute and casual and perfect for a night out with friends.