Shop the Black Heels We’d Actually Wear

I own eleven pairs of black heels and I would confidently wear about four of them. That’s not a humble brag, that’s a genuine indictment of my own decision making over the last six years, and it’s exactly why I’m fussy about this now. The rest are sitting in a box under my bed being too pointy, too stiff, too “seemed fine in the shop lighting” to ever leave the house in again.

A proper black heel earns its place by doing two jobs at once. It has to look like you made an effort and feel like you didn’t. That’s the whole trick.

The best ones have a shape that does something clever, a curved heel, a slightly squared toe, a strap that sits somewhere unexpected, so they don’t read as boring even though black heels are, by definition, meant to be the quiet option. And they need a heel height you can actually stand in for longer than one drink. I learned this the hard way at a colleague’s leaving do, three hours in, gripping a table like it owed me money, while my friend Priya sailed past in block heels looking smug and pain free.

Styling wise, this is where black heels earn their keep. Slide them under a wide leg trouser and they disappear in the best way, just a flash of heel at the ankle doing all the work. Pair them with a slip dress and they go instantly evening. Wear them with jeans and a proper blazer and they take the whole outfit somewhere smarter without you having to try. They’re also the one thing that can rescue a slightly too casual outfit at the last minute, chuck them on over a jumper and trousers combination that was heading nowhere and suddenly you look like you planned it.

Occasion wise, this is your after work drinks, your wedding guest safety net, your “I don’t know the dress code so I’m hedging” shoe. Not fete appropriate, not for cobblestones, not for a friend’s garden party unless you fancy sinking slowly into the lawn mid conversation. But for anything with a bit of floor and a bit of purpose, they’re the pair that gets grabbed first, every single time.

Top Picks

JASMINE’S PICK LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Black Faux Leather) 7.5

$79.99 $59.99 LIFESTRIDE

MORGAN’S PICK CERQULARALFIE Womens Black & White Leather Court Shoes UK 1 Classic Elegant Block Heel

$44.19 CERQULAR

CASEY’S PICK J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Cyrene Slingback Pump in Black, Leatherette/Patent, Size 6 M, 2 Inch Heel

$114.85 $84.99 J RENEE

HARPER’S PICK SHIEKHWomen Thumb-S Suede Low Heel Bootie Black Boots 10 Black

$39.99 SHIEKH

CLAIRE’S PICK FLORALKINICrystal-Embellished Mesh Pointed Toe Thigh High Stiletto Heel Boots - Black/Beige - US 5/EU 36 / Black

$51.99 FLORALKINI

PRINTERVALI Just Turned Heel Turn Pro Wrestling Fan - I Just Turned Heel $9.95 PRINTERVAL

W CONCEPT (US)Patent Leather Strap Sandal Heel (SIAC3045) [Black] $240.00 W CONCEPT (US)

W CONCEPT (US)City 2-Strap Heel Sandal $240.00 W CONCEPT (US)

THE LUXURY CLOSETAlexander McQueen Black Leather Eyelet Horn Heel Ankle Length Boots $695.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

CERQULARDESIGUAL Womens Printed Block Heel Shoes Black Synthetic UK 6 Unique Pattern $50.69 CERQULAR

J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Saintnicholas Slip-On Pump in Black, Embroidered Fabric, Size 7 M, 1.25 Inch Heel $139.95 J RENEE

W CONCEPT (US)Silver Accent Classic 5cm Heel Pumps $157.00 W CONCEPT (US)

CERQULARCHARLES & KEITH Womens Black Leather Knee High Kitten Heel Boots UK 2 Elegant $55.89 CERQULAR

SHOPBOPLoeffler Randall Triana Strappy Mid Heel Sandals With Ball Black $350.00 SHOPBOP

SHIEKHWomen Thumb-S Suede Low Heel Bootie Black Boots 10 Black $39.99 SHIEKH

FLORALKINISatin Diamante Bow Pointed Toe Platform Flared Block Heel - Black - US 7/EU $49.99 FLORALKINI

THE LUXURY CLOSETSergio Rossi Black Leather Spiral Zip Ankle Heel Boots $182.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Nessa Block Heel Loafers $248.00 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)

FLORALKINICrystal-Embellished Mesh Pointed Toe Thigh High Stiletto Heel Boots - Black/Beige - US 5/EU 36 / Black $51.99 FLORALKINI

TINACUSTOM.COMTinaCus Genuine Leather Women's Handmade Pointed Toe Spikes-Stiletto Supper High Heel Side Zip - US4.5/CN33/EU34/UK2-2.5/Foot Length-21.5cm / black $113.50 TINACUSTOM.COM

FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Black Leather) 7.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip $150.00 FRANCO SARTO

CERQULARALFIE Womens Black & White Leather Court Shoes UK 1 Classic Elegant Block Heel $44.19 CERQULAR

−67%

SHIEKHWomen Women's Along The Way Low Heel black velvet Shoes 10 black velvet$30.27 $9.99 SHIEKH

−29%

SHIEKHWomen Violet Chunky Platform High Heel Black High Heels 8.5 Black$54.92 $38.99 SHIEKH

−25%

LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Black Faux Leather) 7.5$79.99 $59.99 LIFESTRIDE

−26%

J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Cyrene Slingback Pump in Black, Leatherette/Patent, Size 6 M, 2 Inch Heel$114.85 $84.99 J RENEE

−63%

NATORIIne Suede Mule Heel - Black / 7.5$240.54 $89.00 NATORI

−17%

FAMOUS FOOTWEARFranco Sarto Women's Jovanna 2 Slingback Heel Shoes (Black Twill Fabric) - Size 10.0$120.47 $99.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

−26%

NATURALIZER27 EDIT Laurel Sandals, Black Glazed Leather, 7.0M Open Toe, Platform Heel, Slingback Strap$135.12 $99.99 NATURALIZER

−20%

J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Laylani Cowboy Boot in Black, Fabric/Rhinestones, Size 6.5 M, 2 Inch Heel$199.99 $159.99 J RENEE