A black slingback or pointed toe covers the office and most of what hangs in your closet, while the dressier sandal styles in the list suit a wedding or an outdoor dinner and sit awkwardly with casual daytime pieces.
The list runs from a bare-foot strappy sandal to platform boots, and from a glossy bright pink pump to a white wedge with a woven jute platform that spreads your weight across the whole sole.
Count how many outfits the pair has to work with before you pick a style from the list below.
1. The Sandal Heel
Criss-cross straps on a black sandal do double duty: they hold the foot in place and frame the toes, so a fresh pedicure becomes part of the look.
Black goes with nearly everything already hanging in your closet, which is why I’d pick it over a trend color. Wear it with cropped denim or a slip skirt and let the straps stand out.
Skip anything busy on the shoe side, like patterned tights or heavy socks. This style works because the foot is bare.
2. Dress Sandals for Women
Silver rhinestone butterflies on a black ankle-strap sandal give you a dressy shoe that still reads as warm-weather.
The ankle strap keeps the sandal secure for a wedding or a dinner outdoors. Because the decoration does the talking, I’d keep the outfit simple: a solid slip dress or a plain satin skirt, and little jewelry near the ankle.
Range is what you give up: a delicate dress sandal looks right with a slip dress or wide-leg trousers, but it rarely works with casual daytime pieces.
A shoe this decorated pairs with fewer outfits than a plain black sandal, so buy it for events, not for every day.
3. The Slingback Heel
Heel hugging, open at the back: a slingback shows the foot just enough to feel polished without looking fussy.
A shiny patent finish in a slingback dresses up a casual pair of blue jeans, so it is worth choosing one in black. I’d also wear it with tailored trousers or a midi skirt for the office.
Patent leather shows scuffs and fingerprints, so wipe it down after wearing. That small upkeep is worth it for how sharp the shoe looks.
4. The Mule Heel
Slip-on and backless, a brown suede mule is the heel you can step into while still running late.
Brown suede is softer than black and works well with cream, white and denim. I’d choose it over black if your closet leans neutral.
Backless shoes ask your toes to grip a little, so try them on and walk around before you commit. If the foot slides forward, the fit is wrong for you.
5. The Pointed-Toe Heel
A pointed toe lengthens the line of the foot, and in a glossy bright pink it becomes the one loud thing in an outfit.
Let the shoe lead. Pair it with a neutral suit, black dress or plain jeans and a white tee, and skip other bright colors.
If pink feels like too much, the same shape in black or nude is the true workhorse. Pointed toes can pinch, so check the width at the ball of your foot before buying.
6. The Boot Heel
Platform boots with a high heel add real height, and the platform softens how steep the heel feels.
Against tight white pants, black boots create a strong contrast and a clean, long leg line. I like that pairing because it needs no extra accessories.
Tuck slim pants into the shaft or let them fall just over it. Wide, heavy hems fight the boot, so save those for flats.
Whether you’re reaching for a sky-high platform à la D’Accori’s trendy towering sandals or going the pared-back route in Gucci’s timeless slingback kittens, high heels have the ability to elevate any outfit.
— Vogue
7. The Wedge Heel
White wedge sandals with a woven jute platform give you height without the pitch of a stiletto, since your weight spreads across the whole sole instead of resting on a thin heel.
Natural jute and white read as warm-weather, so I’d wear them with cropped denim, a linen midi skirt or a simple sundress.
Red toenails add a small pop of color to a wedge sandal with no extra accessories, and a true cherry or tomato red looks best against tan, nude, or espadrille-style straps.
White shows dirt faster than black, and woven texture is casual, so these suit weekends more than a formal event.
For dressier plans, a wedge with a slim ankle strap and a satin or metallic finish is the better call, since it reads closer to a dress sandal and still spares your arches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brand of high heels for women?
No single brand wins, and I’d pick by purpose instead. For work, LifeStride and Easy Street are brands worth browsing, since they make kitten and block heels with more support, stability and cushioning for all-day wear.
For a full shift on your feet, a block heel around 2 inches gives you more surface to balance on and takes pressure off the ball of the foot.
Which heels are most attractive?
A pointed-toe pump is the most timeless choice, because the shape lengthens the line of the foot. Classic black or beige works with almost anything, while a glossy bright pink makes the shoe the one loud piece in an outfit.
Pointed toes taper fast, so I’d test the fit across the ball of the foot before anything else; if the sides squeeze, no amount of good looks will save the pair.
