Women usually just refer to shoes as flats, medium heels, high heels, and stilettos – those are about it! Little did they know that there are actually so many kinds of heels. Take a look at your shoe rack and see how every shoe differs. Well perhaps you can distinguish better among which is which after finding what types of heels there actually are. Hopefully you would find which one is the best for you too!
Block Heel
Perhaps the most familiar heels among women is block heel. The heel itself is just simple so it is easier to wear. The shape of the heel makes the body weight distributed fairly thus it has better balance than other types of heels. The design along the rest of the shoes can be plain to cutesy and very stylish. Many women use block heels for their school shoes, office, or even for special occasions. For those who are not so much into heels can try block heels for a change or as a beginner. They would be surprised how not so difficult it actually is to wear heels as long as they choose the correct one. Block heels do not have to be very ordinary. It can actually look pretty great depending on the design of its toes, straps, color, or perhaps of the brand itself.
Kitten Heels
Just like block heels, kitten heels is another way to wear heels without the discomfort. They are not too high or too thin – they are a little elevated enough. It is perfect for either those who are not into the uncomfortability of high heels or those who are already so tall that wearing heels would have them literally stand out from the crowd too much. Since kitten heels are almost flats, it can be worn with almost anything such as jeans or dresses.
Wedges
This type is still among the same category with the first two. They are for those who do not want too high or too thin heels. Well wedge can also be very thick, making it quite high but its shape make it almost as comfortable and balanced as wearing flats or block heels. There are two types of wedges such as the wedge heels and the wedge sandals. Wedges look a bit casual and informal so fashion-wise, they are not suitable for elegant outfits. However they make a good pair with sun dresses, shorts, and other comfortable and edgy attires.
Pumps
The most familiar type of heels which has more noticeable heels is pumps. Commonly, it is called high heels. But of course it is not as high as stilettos would be. Pumps usually go around 2 to 4 inches in height and are not as thin as stilettos. The front is usually low cut. Many people refer to it as classic since it has been trendy and very usable ever since. They are also very easy to match with just about any kind of outfit or can be worn to just about any event. Pumps look good in jeans just as how good it looks with dresses. Either casual or very sophisticated, pumps is a good choice. It is accessible for everyone and not high maintenance. Almost every woman has this type of heels. Especially if you choose a color that can match with almost anything, you can just have a pair of pumps for everything.
Oxford Heels
Oxfords are those kind of shoes that look quite very formal and conservative. It is a different kind of chic. When people imagine elegance in heels, it is easy to think of high heels. Oxfords is also has a very high class feel but a bit leaning to being old fashioned but of course in a good way! They have that Victorian era feel. They have these intricate designs on them that make them look like artworks in a more academic sense than in a modern and forward way. Well, it cannot be stressed enough how timid this shoe looks. Oxford shoes plus heels equals Oxford heels of course. They are great with trousers. One has to be careful with pairing them up with dresses. They can be great with suits. It is best to lay out the whole outfit idea to seriously check if it goes well together or not. Oxford heels is not for everyone, in summary. But you should give it a try for sure!
French Heels
French heels were very popular back in the days. Of course, like the old days, people had to dress up their best every time they go out. There is no casual or homely clothes. The characteristics of French heels are that they are short and somewhat curved. They are also called Pompador Heels and Louis Heels. Like the Oxford heels, they are leaning towards the vintage side of things. But also like Oxford heels, they can be a bit challenging to pair up with outfits. Unlike the other type of heels, this is not something for any occasion or attire. A little tip about this thought is that it can look good in flowing dresses.
Peep Toes
If French heels are known for its heels’ size and shape, the peep toes heels are known for its, well, peep toes! From the name itself peep toes means that the front of the shoes has a bit of an opening that exposes the toes, but not the entire set of toes. Usually it would show about three toes. The front comes in as many creative styles and designs, while the heels height and shape also comes in many different ways as well. What defines a peep toe is none other than the possibility of seeing toes! It can be worn with almost as any attire as well both casual and formal. Since it does not show all the toes, and is still somewhat a closed shoe, it is acceptable in some formal events unless the occasion stresses out the banning of showing any toe. Feel free to wear it with shorts, jeans, and dresses.
Cone Heels
While peep toes are identified by its front, cone heels got its name from – well you guessed it – its cone shaped heels! Of course you may wonder if is it an upside down cone, or since the upright cone? Well if it was upside down, maybe it would have been called something else, like triangle heels right? Anyway, cone heels is wider at the top and decreases its width gradually towards the bottom, like literally an ice cream cone. Their height varies as well. They look good with dresses and skirts with flowing hemlines.
Ankle Strap Heels
The thing about ankle straps is that, it does not only make your whole outfit look cute and elegant but it does add to the support on your foot. The straps keeps your feet on your shoes. It prevents sliding down or partly taken off. This is one reason why a lot of kids shoes are this way. This is to make sure that the shoes does not get easily shaken off, kicked, or whatever. If you need that security and comfortability in your footwear plus the bonus of looking very cute, then ankle strap heels is your friend. You can even go crazy with the height of the heels since anyway your high heels is going to be securely attached to your being! Actually, it can be worn with just about anything except shorts maybe. It is great for jeans, skirts, and most especially for dresses.
Espadrille Heels
Quite easily, you would know that espadrille heels are for casual occasions. What separates it from the other kind of heels is how it is made of. It is definitely designed for comfort with its cloth or leather upper part, and natural fibers on the lower part. If rated of its comfiness, it gets 10 out of 10 since the base makes very good balance and support. It usually comes in flats and wedges. Although, we would not know how socially comfortable could you be wearing natural fibers. Try pairing it out with comfortable outfits as well like summer clothes.
Comma Heels
Just like the cone heels, comma heels are called such because if its shape. It is a bit unusual, is it? That is right. Comma heels are not so common anywhere but they do exist though. The next time you see a fashion show on TV, try finding the comma heels among the models’ shoes, or hunt it down the fashion magazines. It would also be fun to actually see some for yourself the next time you visit the shoe shop. Let us see who gets surprised – you for confirming that comma heels exist or the shop assistant who has not heard about comma heels. With regards to how to pair comma heels up, well it can be used for just about anything. It is just like your regular heels except for being comma shaped.
Fantasy Heels
If comma heels made you hesitate a bit, then you would probably change your mind when you recall about fantasy heels. Of course, it is so much crazier and experimental than the comma shape! From the name itself, fantasy heels is designed with out of this world shapes, icons, and what not. For example, it can be shoes with heels the shape of a horse, or high heels with wings, fish tail, and whatsoever imaginative things one could put. When does this ever happen or ever needed, you ask. Well, the next time you watch a music video especially of the more insanely creative type in their costumes such as Katy Perry, Sia, Nikki Minaj, and the like, check out what kind of fantasy heels they are wearing. Would you be using fantasy heels? Why not!
Cut Out Heels
Almost as creative as fantasy heels but not as crazy, cut out heels which has its upper side cut out into different designs and patterns. As cut out heels is most certainly not neutral but more on the artsy, creative, and modern style then it is best paired with chic clothing as well. It definitely is not for formal events or something to be worn at the office. It is more like of a party, girls night out, music festival type of heels. You can also wear it at the club. Since the shoes already has complex designs then maybe it is better to opt for clothing that has less patterns and crazy designs.
Corset Heels
While cutout heels are called so because of its cut out design, corset heels are known for its corseted design. Do you remember those old English movies where they have to wear layers of clothing and among the inner ones some type of girdle which laces on either side are tightly pulled together? Well corset heels kind of look the same. Either side of the upper part of the shoes has laces which can be tied together or are simply designed to look that way. Corset heels like the cut out heels is not easily suited for any kind of attire or event, so you have apply precaution in wearing such heels. It might be good with dresses and shorts.
Cork High Heels
If block heels, kitten heels, wedges, and espadrilles are comfortable to wear because of its even distribution of weight, cork heels can be high but still retain the comfiness. The heels are made up of cork material which of course feels soft, cushioned, or bouncy. This takes off pressure from the foot thus making it easy to wear. So if you want to look great in high heels but at the same time want to maintain comfortability, then cork heels is definitely the answer to this quite contrasting preference. Cork heels can look good with anything since it looks just like any other heels with the only difference of its material.
Chunky Heels
Almost like a block heel but of course not block because it can be quite high. Block heels are called block because it is square-ish in shape. Chunky heels are also thick but can come in different heights. They can be as high as a stiletto but not as thin so it is so much more stable. It can be a good option for those women or men who tend to be heavier and fear that a super thin and super high stiletto could not support them. Chunky heels can look great with anything, so you can confidently pair them up with jeans, shorts, skirts, or dresses.
Mules
Perhaps the simplest design of all and the easiest to slip your foot in and out are mules. Mules are open close to the soles. Its design looks quite similar all throughout. The only difference would be the color, material, or close or open toed. Being open at the back, mules tend to be more casual than formal. Consequently it is advisable to wear it with casual outfits as well instead of formal ones.
Ankle Booties
Well from the name itself, ankle booties are boots that reach up to the ankles. They look very stylish aside from they are very useful in colder weathers. They are quite popular during fall and spring, when temperature is cold enough for boots but not as cold as requiring for high booties. They can look well in jeans and dresses alike. It is perhaps the easiest and most comfortable way to wear heels since it is almost guaranteed that your feet is not going to slip off or slip out since it is securely kept inside the boots.
High Heeled Booties
The weather gets colder and there you go with knee high booties! Women love it since they can look stylish without having to show skin, which means they can skip shaving their legs. They can be worn especially in winter or any day that is not too hot for boots. Since they are high boots, they can only be worn with leggings, skinny jeans, or short dresses and skirts or shorts.
Stilettos
Lastly, the most popular of all heels is the stilettos! Every woman knows the stilettos, and most especially every woman has to own one! You probably already know what stilettos are. They are characterized with thin heels that is at the very least 4 inches. It can go up so much higher than that. So far, the highest known stilettos are 8 inches. It looks great in almost any kind of outfit.
So how many of these type heels you did not know about? Perhaps you have seen some of them but did not know the names of. It is time to get those that you have not tried yet and look your best for your dates, girls night out, or even at school or at the office!
