Tan heels do a job that black never quite manages, which is to lengthen the leg without announcing themselves. The right shade sits somewhere between caramel and biscuit, close enough to skin tone to blur the line at the ankle, but with enough depth of colour that it doesn’t look washed out under artificial light. Too pale and they read beige and slightly corporate, too orange and they veer into costume territory. The good ones have a warmth to them, more toffee than terracotta, and that warmth is what makes them work with almost everything else in a woman’s rail.
Leather matters more here than with black shoes, because tan shows up every flaw in the finish. A dull, plasticky faux leather will look cheap regardless of the heel height, while a supple, slightly grained leather catches the light in a way that looks expensive even on a modest budget.
Suede is worth considering too, particularly in a dustier, more muted tan, since it softens the whole look and works well through autumn.
Heel shape should earn its place as well. A slim block or a kitten heel in tan reads as more considered than a stiletto, which can tip the whole shoe towards evening only.
Styling wise, tan heels are the neutral that black pretends to be but rarely delivers. They cut through navy, cream, khaki and every wash of denim without competing for attention, and they do something particularly good under a wide leg trouser, where the eye reads one continuous line from hem to floor. With a slip skirt or a linen dress in summer they add warmth rather than contrast, which is often more flattering than the crispness of black. Against a bare leg they disappear in the best way, and against tights or trousers they add just enough colour to stop an outfit looking flat.
Occasion wise, they are the shoe for the in between moments, the wedding that isn’t formal enough for a strappy sandal, the office event that runs into evening, the daytime meeting followed by dinner. They travel well too, holding their own from spring through early autumn in a way that black patent or metallic never quite manages, without ever looking like they’re trying too hard.
Top Picks
JASMINE’S PICK
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Natural Tan Weave Fabric) Leather 9.0 $79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
CASEY’S PICK
SHOEMALL.COMFree People Kiki Kitten Heel Boot Women's Tan Boot 8.5
$103.60 SHOEMALL.COM
HARPER’S PICK
NATURALIZERNaturalizer So-Sweet Strappy Sandals, Dune Tan Leather, 10.0W Open Toe, Platform Heel, Ankle Strap $147.87
$104.99 NATURALIZER
TAYLOR’S PICK
CERQULARSCHATULLE Womens Green Synthetic Block Heel Shoes UK 6 Comfortable Stylish
$32.49 CERQULAR
SYDNEY’S PICK
SHIEKHWomen Women's Gladiator Heel Diva-33 Tan 0 7 Tan $58.76
$9.99 SHIEKH
KARMALOOPRomania-01 Heel Thong Sandal
$29.99 KARMALOOP
SHOEMALL.COMCole Haan Josie Block Heel Sandal Women's Tan Sandal 10.5
$45.97 SHOEMALL.COM
SHIEKHWomen Romania-01 Heel Thong Sandal Tan High Heels 8 Tan
$29.99 SHIEKH
SHOEMALL.COMFree People Kiki Kitten Heel Boot Women's Tan Boot 8.5
$103.60 SHOEMALL.COM
VERONICA BEARDVeronica Beard Clea Jelly Kitten-Heel Sandal Hazelwood
$325.00 VERONICA BEARD
J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Burkett Ankle Strap Sandal in Tan, Fabric, Size 7.5 M, 3.75 Inch Heel
$124.95 J RENEE
VERONICA BEARDVeronica Beard Lisa Kitten-Heel Boot Wide
$750.00 VERONICA BEARD
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Kruise Block Heel Sandals - Tan - Size
$119.95 STEVE MADDEN
SHIEKHWomen Mable-27 Square Toe High Heel Tan High Heels 10 Tan
$34.99 SHIEKH
SAM EDELMANSandy Block Heel Platform Sandal Cyprus Tan Suede
$165.00 SAM EDELMAN
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Gervais Block Heel Sandals - Tan - Size
$129.95 STEVE MADDEN
CERQULARBOSS HUGO BOSS Womens Tan Leather Platform High Heel Sandals UK 5.5 Elegant
$51.99 CERQULAR
CERQULARSCHATULLE Womens Green Synthetic Block Heel Shoes UK 6 Comfortable Stylish
$32.49 CERQULAR
SHOPBOPSTAUD Wally High Heel Boots Tan
$595.00 SHOPBOP
SHOEMALL.COMCole Haan Josie Block Heel Sandal Women's Tan Sandal 9
$56.97 SHOEMALL.COM
SHOEMALL.COMSofft Sharnell Heel Women's Tan Boot 6
$249.95 SHOEMALL.COM
CERQULARPURI EARTH Womens Strappy Sandals Leather Tan UK 6 Classic Heel Comfortable
$27.29 CERQULAR
NINA SHOESWomens Brystol Alamo Tan Suede Mid-Heel D'orsay Dress Pump
$89.00 NINA SHOES
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Scarlett Dress Heel with Arch Support in Tan Leopard Print Suede, Size
$165.00 ANINE BING
J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Garlynn Slingback Sandal in Tan, Fabric, Size 6 M, 2.75 Inch Heel
$139.95 J RENEE
SAM EDELMANAmie Kitten Heel Sandal Cyprus Tan Suede
$130.00 SAM EDELMAN
NINA SHOESWomens Nina60 Alamo Tan Suedette Mid-Heel Classic Pump
$99.00 NINA SHOES
J RENEEJ. Rene Women's THEMICK1 Leather Sneaker in Tan, Size 5 M, 1 Inch Heel
$249.95 J RENEE
CERQULARBALLY Womens Vintage Lace Up Low Heel Suede Leather Shoes Taupe UK 3 Elegant
$49.39 CERQULAR
−89%
SHIEKHWomen 076 High Heel Dress Shoe Tan/Neon Orange Shoes 5.5 Tan/Neon Orange$45.36
$4.99 SHIEKH
−71%
SHIEKHWomen Yummy-S Low Heel Taupe Shoes 8.5 Taupe$34.45
$9.99 SHIEKH
−67%
SHIEKHWomen Susse-1 Toe Ring High Heel Tan High Heels 7 Tan$30.27
$9.99 SHIEKH
−83%
SHIEKHWomen Women's Gladiator Heel Diva-33 Tan 0 7 Tan$58.76
$9.99 SHIEKH
−71%
SHIEKHWomen Yummy-S Low Heel White Shoes 8 White$34.45
$9.99 SHIEKH
−85%
NINA SHOESWomens Sassie Alamo Tan Suedette Stiletto Block-Heel Platform Sandal$133.27
$19.99 NINA SHOES
−78%
NINA SHOESWomens Thelma Alamo Tan Suede Pointy-Toe Mid-Heel Classic Pump$90.86
$19.99 NINA SHOES
−66%
NINA SHOESWomens Barby Alamo Tan Suedette Crystal Block Mid-Heel Dressy Sandal$88.21
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−62%
NINA SHOESWomen's Neza Alamo Tan Suedette Mid-Heel Block Sandal$78.92
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−66%
NINA SHOESWomens Tansy Alamo Tan Suedette Slingback Mid-Heel Dress Pump$88.21
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−14%
SHIEKHWomen Katana-1 Pointed Heel Booties Tan Boots 6.5 Tan$37.20
$31.99 SHIEKH
−34%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARLifestride Women's Rhythmn Block Heel Sandals (Natural Tan Weave Fabric) - Size 10.0 W$80.29
$52.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−31%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Kennadi Block Heel Slide Sandals (Tan) - Size 10.0$85.49
$58.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Natural Tan Weave Fabric) Leather 9.0$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−19%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARPatrizia Women's Dade-Woven Block Heel Dress Sandals (Light Tan) - Size 35.0$80.23
$64.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−29%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Gladys Block Heel Pump Shoes (Tan) - Size 10.0$94.35
$66.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−30%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Maize Block Heel Booties (Tan) - Size 11.0$99.99
$69.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−30%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Adria Block Heel Booties (Tan Synthetic) - Size 12.0$109.99
$76.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−10%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARWhite Mountain Women's Barb Platform Block Heel Sandals (Dark Tan Burnished Smooth) - Size 9.5$88.88
$79.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−27%
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Rae Block Heel Sandals - Tan Nubuck - Size$109.58
$79.99 STEVE MADDEN
−30%
SAM EDELMANPax Kitten Heel Thong Sandal Cyprus Tan Suede$139.99
$97.99 SAM EDELMAN
−40%
ANN TAYLORAnn Taylor Straw Kitten Heel Mule Sandal$168.00
$100.80 ANN TAYLOR
−29%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer So-Sweet Strappy Sandals, Dune Tan Leather, 8.0M Open Toe, Platform Heel, Ankle Strap$147.87
$104.99 NATURALIZER
−30%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Signature Women's Hydra Block Heel Booties (Tan Leather) - Size 10.0$169.99
$118.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−25%
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Albany Star Block Heel Boots - Tan Multi - Size$199.96
$149.97 STEVE MADDEN
−40%
VERONICA BEARDVeronica Beard Loralyn Slingback Buckle Heel Chestnut$395.00
$237.00 VERONICA BEARD
