For around four years I stubbornly maintained that black block heels were dull, they were the shoe you bought after you’d given up. I had two pairs of stilettos I kept at the office in a box marked “occasion”, I lived in trainers everywhere else and I truly believed that the block heel was as close to a fabric-covered estate car as fashion got. I was wrong. And I want to put that right, because a good block heel is the backbone of a shoe collection and I spent way too long pretending not to like them because I wanted to look like I could walk dodged-round cobblestones in a 6-inch heel when realistically I can’t. Not anymore though. These days I can.
What makes a black block heel worth investing in is what nobody Instagrams: the base. A heel that has a wide sturdy base that won’t swivel about on grating, won’t plunge into grass halfway through an outdoor drinks reception and won’t make you walk like a demonic bent-leg surgeon. Find a height you won’t hate after 12 hours, a covered toe or a strap that secures your foot rather than just adorns it and a shape that strikes a balance between uptight and slouchy.
They’re basics that make everything you wear look a little more “there.”
Speaking of wear, style-wise this shoe takes things that are on the verge of being too casual and tees them up. Wide leg trousers and a tee, suddenly smart. That midi skirt that was flirting with frumpy, suddenly not. They’re amazing under a suit if you need boss-lady authority without the pain, and equally good with a simple dress when you have no idea what level of sofa-led commitment your day is going to demand. My work friend Priya once observed me shedding heels for these at my desk before a client meeting and said “that was the least dramatic shoe transformation I’ve ever seen,” and that right there is the goal.
Plot wise; interviews, long lunches that might turn into long dinners, weddings where you’ll be on your feet for the ceremony, speeches and ceilidh dancing, anytime you need to look put together but will also need to escape on foot at the end. They’re the shoe you won’t remember wearing. They’re the shoe that helps you remember everything else.
Top Picks
CLAIRE’S PICK
CERQULARTOMMY HILFIGER Womens Chelsea Boots Black Synthetic UK 6 Ankle Block Heel
$48.09 CERQULAR
SYDNEY’S PICK
FLORALKINIRhinestone Embellished Diamante Heel Strap Detail High Block Heel - US 11/EU 42 / Black
$50.99 FLORALKINI
CASEY’S PICK
NINA SHOESWomens Stacie Black Satin Block High-Heel Platform Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
JASMINE’S PICK
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Reyes Slingback Block Heel with Arch Support in Black Leather, Size $163.92
$99.99 ANINE BING
RILEY’S PICK
THE LUXURY CLOSETTory Burch Black Leather Jessa Block Heel Pumps
$193.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (Black Leather) 8.5 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
FLORALKINIRhinestone-Embellished Platform High Block Heel Ankle Bootie - US 10/EU 41 / Black
$113.99 FLORALKINI
GLAM AND GLORIA, LLCFestival Ready Black Snakeskin Ankle Boots with Block Heel - Black / 9.5
$69.90 GLAM AND GLORIA, LLC
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Kayla Block Heel Sandal (Black Leather) 8.0 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
FLORALKINIBlack Faux Suede Fringe Pointed Toe Western Mid Calf Block Heel Ankle Boots - US 12/EU
$49.99 FLORALKINI
THE LUXURY CLOSETTory Burch Black Leather Jessa Block Heel Pumps
$193.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
FAMOUS FOOTWEARBaretraps Women's Dineen Block Heel Booties (Black) - Size 10.0
$94.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
THE LUXURY CLOSETPrada Black Leather Ankle Strap Block Heel Sandals
$188.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
FLORALKINIRhinestone Embellished Diamante Heel Strap Detail High Block Heel - US 11/EU 42 / Black
$50.99 FLORALKINI
W CONCEPT (US)Crystal Jeweled Turban Block Heel Mary Jane Shoes
$130.00 W CONCEPT (US)
NINA SHOESWomens Stacie Black Satin Block High-Heel Platform Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
W CONCEPT (US)Suede Block Heel Ankle Boots
$169.00 W CONCEPT (US)
CERQULARFENDI Womens Classic Block Heel Shoes Black Synthetic UK 7 Elegant Comfortable
$105.29 CERQULAR
CERQULARTOMMY HILFIGER Womens Chelsea Boots Black Synthetic UK 6 Ankle Block Heel
$48.09 CERQULAR
−70%
SHIEKHWomen Moody-06 Block Heel Boots Black Suede Boots 8.5 Black Suede$49.97
$14.99 SHIEKH
−66%
NINA SHOESWomens Barby Alamo Tan Suedette Crystal Block Mid-Heel Dressy Sandal$88.21
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−47%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandal Black Faux Leather DRSCH 9.5$75.45
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−55%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandals (Black Faux Leather) - Size 10.0$111.09
$49.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−41%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Black Fabric) 6.5$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−20%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Weslee Slingback Block Heel Sandal Black Faux Leather DRSCH 6.5$74.99
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−19%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARMuk Luks Women's Yellowstone Yardley Block Heel Ankle Booties (Black Snake) - Size 10.0$80.23
$64.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−52%
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Isadora Block Heel Slingback Boots (Black Leather) 7.5 M Square Toe, Buckle Closure$166.63
$79.98 FRANCO SARTO
−39%
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Reyes Slingback Block Heel with Arch Support in Black Leather, Size$163.92
$99.99 ANINE BING
−36%
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Duo Block Heel Sandals, Black - 6.5$226.56
$145.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
−20%
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Carolina Patent Block Heel Sandals, Black$227.50
$182.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
