Women today love high heels but they’ve actually been added to shoes since the 1100s. In fact, the Persian cavalry first wore high heeled boots to remain stable and upright as they were shooting arrows from atop their horses’ backs. As time went on, they evolved into what they are today.
Throughout history, the style and use of high heels on shoes have changed. In the medieval era, both women and men wore platform shoes so that they would be above all the nasty things that were thrown into the streets. During the 1800s in Massachusetts, it was claimed that women who wore high heels were witches who lured men into marrying them.
However today, high heels are still evolving and we have many different styles of heels. There are some basic styles and we will go over the 10 heel types on women’s shoes that are most common.
The Stiletto
Because it’s long and thin, it resembles a stiletto dagger. You can find these in lengths from one inch to 10! These are the highest heels made. They are a challenging heel to walk in.
Pumps
Pumps can be worn in just about every type of situation and are the most common heel. They tend to have wider heels and are about two to four inches in height. They are low cut in the front most of the time.
Wedges
For women who have trouble walking in high heels, this is the perfect solution. Although elevated, the weight is distributed throughout the whole shoe. The heel isn’t separate and it runs across from the heel to the sole in a wedge shape.
Ankle Straps
Although not really a heel, the ankle strap can support your foot while walking, keeping the shoe more secure on your foot. The strap goes around your ankle and this style is used for stilettos and pumps to add flair to the design and make it easier to walk in.
Platforms
The thing that makes these types of heels different is the area under the sole is thick. This makes the angle of your feet more even, providing comfort and stability. The difference between wedges and platforms is that the area around the sole is not angled or pointed. It’s thick and flat. Flatforms are another style which has a thicker base.
Cone Heels
These heels are shaped like ice cream cones because they are wide at the top and then become slimmer as they go down. These come in a variety of heel length and are often combined with other styles. You will need to practice walking on these as they can be difficult to walk in at first.
Kitten Heels
These heels are only about one to two inches. They are great for situations where you will be standing a lot. These heels gained notoriety from Audrey Hepburn and are still very popular today.
Peep-Toe
These heels only show the top of your toes. They are actually quite sexy and are available in many different shapes and sizes. Be sure that your toe nails look great as they will be showing.
Slingback
The slingback style of heels are good for people who can’t walk on heels Instead of an ankle strap, there is a strap for the back of the heel. This makes the heel more stable and it’s more comfortable because it keeps your foot aligned in the shoe. This style is classic and will continue to be available forever.
Cutouts
These heels have a part of the upper part of the heel cut out for fashion design. It could be a simple small cutout or an intricate and elegant design. They can be super-stylish when you pair them with the right outfit. They can be cutout of any kind of heel and are a unique feature of many shoes.
Although there are more types of heels, these are just the most common heel types on women’s shoes. These heels continue to stay fashionable over time and they don’t appear to be going out of style in the near future.