Whether going to dinner, to a formal event or at work, the shoes that will meet all of these occasions are women’s high heels. Even though a lot of women are afraid of the word heels because they associate it with pain and discomfort, the truth is that nowadays it’s pretty easy to find a comfortable and stylish model. These leg-lengthening allies won’t only improve your appearance and add to your outfit, but they will also make you feel good and more confident, without the risk of feeling pain after a while in them.

The truth is that heels have been present on the market forever, and it’s said that they first originated in the 10^th century in Persia. Even though back then they were worn by men to secure their feet in the stirrups during horse riding and they were considered a status symbol of wealth, nowadays they are a popular shoe model among women. 

Even in the 17^th century when they became introduced to Europe, they immediately became popular among the European aristocrats and it was in the 18^th century when men stopped wearing them as they were perceived as feminine. Until now, they are considered feminine types of shoes, available in a large selection of styles and types to meet different needs and requirements.

Old Trends

In the past or to be more precise in 1670 King Louis XIV had a penchant for red heels, however, once they became a synonym for women and feminism, the choice of these leg-lengthening shoes has evolved a lot. It was in the 1950s when stiletto appeared and it immediately became the symbol of sex appeal and femininity. In the ’60s, the go-go boots became popular with their chunky heels and these heels continued to be popular in the ’70s as well.

Given the fact that fashion has changed over the years, in the 1980s stiletto heels and similar sophisticated pointy-toe shoes became popular, and in the 1990’s, the appearance of the high-heeled sneakers was a total success.

Current Trends

Today’s trends are quite different because now, you can find diverse women’s high heel shoes for every occasion. That being said, you can choose from shoes with block heels in more elegant and semi-casual styles to high-heeled mules.

The most common trend in women’s high heel shoes is that a lot of manufacturers tend to create heels made from sustainable materials in order to contribute to a better environment. But regarding the shoe models, the latest trend in heeled shoes is transparent see-through heels which seem quite simple which is the goal. Last year, the geometric sculptural heels were also on-trend, because they are not only appealing but also easy to walk in, so it seems that they are here to stay.

The Most Popular Types of Heels

High Heels

These certainly are one of the most popular types of heels so far. They are adored by many women as their height can range from 6 – 12cm, so every woman wearing something higher than 6cm can be classified in this category. The shape of these heels can range from wedges and stilettos to block heels and more.

Kitten Heels

As the name suggests, these heels are shorter than the previous and their height generally ranges somewhere between 3 – 5cm. They are a popular option for those who don’t want to wear flats but can’t wear higher heels.

Platform Heels

These heels are characterised by their thicker soles/platforms under the ball of the foot. You can choose from different sizes of heels but regardless of the type you choose, it seems that all of them are comfortable to wear as they reduce the recline of the foot.

Wedge Soles

These types of shoes have a wedge that isn’t separated from the soles, meaning that a thick heel runs the entire sole’s length. They are even more comfortable than the platform models as the weight is evenly distributed along the shoe’s base.

Block Heels

Even though this type of heel is quite popular, not all women are fascinated by its look and that is mainly because of their wider surface area/base. However, they are quite comfortable in comparison to thinner stiletto-like heels. They come in different shapes and heights, giving you the freedom to choose the right one for your needs.

All of these heels are available in different types of shoes ranging from pumps and sandals to boots giving you the freedom to choose the right model for the right season. Some of the most common shapes of heels these days are stilettos, cylindrical and sculptural models, however, this isn’t a strict rule that needs to be followed. So it all comes down to your personal preferences and the occasion.