10 Different Types of Heels Every Woman Should Know

High heels aren’t just a fashion statement for women today. They have been around since the 1100s. It was the Persian cavalry that first wore a kind of boot with heels. Heels helped warriors who shot arrows on horses stay upright and stable, and if you owned a horse and riding heels back in the day, you were seen as affluent. It was only later in time that heels became what we are used to today. The first example of a platform heel can be seen on a circa-1300s statue in the Ramappa Temple in India.

Heels have changed repeatedly throughout history. During the medieval period, men and women wore platform shoes to stay above the trash and other nasty things people would throw onto the streets. And there was a law in Massachusetts in the 1800s that claimed women with high heels who lured men into marriage were witches.

In today’s world heels are still constantly changing. There are dozens of different styles, and more are being created, but there are the fundamentals of style that can go together. Here are 10 different types of heels every woman should know.

Pumps

Pumps are the emphasis of high heels and sometimes the most common. They are usually wider than most heels and between 2 and 4 inches in height. Very similar to stilettos, most pumps are low-cut around the front. Pumps are known for their ability to work in every scenario, from everyday work shoes to party wear.

Stilettos

The stiletto heel is named after the stiletto dagger because it is a long, thin, high heel. You can find it on some boots as well. Stiletto heels may vary in length from 1 inch to 10 inches! They are known as the highest of all the high heels, and some even call them the mother of all heels. Stilettoes are most commonly closed in the front and are thought of as a challenging heel to master.

Ankle Strap

A favourite of women, ankle-strap heels are always in style. While it's not technically a heel, it is a style that every woman should know. The ankle strap is a strap that goes around the ankles. The strap isn't just for fashion because it makes your feet more secure and supports you while walking. This is one of the styles you can combine with a pump or stiletto for a more unique design.

Wedge Heels

Wedges are heels for women who don't want to walk in those six-inch stilettos, either because they are not comfortable or because they cannot walk in them. These are an elevated shoe, but wedges equally distribute weight throughout the shoe.

There are two different types of wedge shoes: wedge heels and wedge sandals. Wedges are just like high heels, but there is no separation from the heel to the sole. Instead, this design features a seamless line that runs from the ball of the foot to its heel in a wedge shape.

Platform

Platform heels come in shorter or taller heights as long as the part of the shoe under the sole is thicker. Lots of women like platforms as there is no angle to your feet. This gives more stability and comfort. There is a style called flatforms but in the case of these, the base is thicker underneath the feet. People mistake platform heels for wedges, but platforms are heels that are thick and flat at the front of the shoe, not pointed or angled.

Cone Heels

Cone heels are heels that are wider at the top and slim at the bottom. This makes the heel look like an ice cream cone on the bottom of your shoe. This tasty model can come in all lengths and models. It can be combined with many different styles like ankle straps and cutouts. Cones are tricky to walk in as the heel doesn't have a wide base for support, so please practice walking inside before taking those puppies outside.

Kitten

For those who aren't fans of high-flying stilettos, kitten heels are only an inch or two in height. They're great for parties, as the low height gives comfort when having to stand for long periods of time. Kitten heels were made famous by Audrey Hepburn and are a great style still to this day. They go great with other styles as well and freshen up any closet.

Peep-Toe

Peep-toes are one of sexiest kind of heels as these heels allow your feet to do a bit of flirting. Peep-toes reveal just the tops of the toes, letting your feet give their own peep show. Peep-toes can be a tease, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Just make sure your nails look nice as they will be exposed. While you can combine a peep-toe style with any heel, most women say the higher, the better.

Slingback

When people find they are too unstable when they walk on heels, the slingback style can remedy that. Unlike ankle strap heels, the slingback heel just has a strap that goes around the back of your heel and keeps everything in place. This can make the heel more comfortable and stable. Slingback is a classic style that will always be around.

Cutout

Cutouts are known to be on the cool side of the high heel family. They are any type of heel that has a portion of the upper cut out for effect. This could range from a tiny cutout to an elegant design. It all depends on the designer. Cutout heels are all the rage and super-stylish if you can pull them off. They come in all sizes and shapes and can be combined with any type of heel. A well-known style, cutouts are unique in almost every shoe.

So there you have it. While there are many other designs of heels out there, these are the most well-known and talked about. These ten have stood the test of time and are as fashionable today as they were back in the olden days. In the future, you will be telling your grandchildren about these styles and the witchcraft and power the high heel holds.