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The Diva’s Heels’ Check-List: 5 Kinds of Heeled Shoes you have to Own

High-heeled shoes are a diva’s best weapon, literally and fashion-wise. A pair of well-styled mini-stilts (if you will) can take an outfit from “Yow!” to “Wow!” with little effort, in no time.

But as with everything fashionable, women are spoilt for choice when it comes to heeled shoes. There are just so many options in terms of heel height, shape and style, that you could own far too many and still feel lacking.

The trick then is to first own at least one pair of the most versatile heeled shoes and then build your collection from there. Here’s your check-list for heeled must-haves – get hold of these and you’ll be proud owner of all the essentials:

The Stiletto Heel

Yes, of course, these have to be the first on the list. Stilettos have a long, thin heel, usually over 3.5 inches. You may not know but this heel type is named after a dagger, so you can imagine just how sharp and pointy they tend to be. Such shoes are staples for party-wear and add an extra doze of oomph to an evening outfit. Even if you are not comfortable wearing heels this high, you could get a pair of shorter stilettos and bring your A-game to every party with such killer heels.

The Block Heel

For high-heel-haters, block heels are the more suitable alternative. Unlike stilettos, whose heel is thin, narrow and ends in a point, block heels have a broader base and body. This makes them infinitely easier to walk in, while allowing the same height and posture as stilettos do. Get these on for an occasion when you need to look you best but do not want the hassle of balance-defying footwear.

The Wedge Heel

This is truly the working woman’s heel and arguably the most comfortable of them all. Wedges have a heel that covers the entire sole and is shaped in a form that tapers downward. Since there is full support to the shoe on its base, wedge heels offer more stability and balance. They are perfect for those occasions when you have some running around to do, and thus work wonders with office-wear in particular.

The Kitten Heel

We have Audrey Hepburn to thank for kitten heel for it is she who popularized the style. Short, slender heels which are no longer than 2 inches, these can be worn with outfits both formal and casual. Kitten heels promise comfort and style for those days when you want to look fashionable with minimum effort.

The Cone Heel

Like the name suggests, these shoes have heels shaped like a cone. Like the stiletto, cone heels have a downward taper, though it is neither as thin nor as sharp as that of the former. Even as they promise elevation, cone heels are more comfortable than both stilettos and block heels, making them a great option for office-wear as well as casual-wear.

So, these are the heeled must-haves that should definitely be part of your wardrobe. If you don’t have them all already, maybe it’s time to go shopping? (You know you want to).

The History of Heels

As you slip on your old, faithful work heels, you probably fail to consider the shoe’s rich history. While we may wear them now to create a statement look, back then, they were very much a statement of social standing.

Heels actually date back as early as 3500BC. Murals from the period depict upper class Ancient Egyptians wearing decorative laced heels as a sign of their superiority. In 3000BC, however, heels were very much a stage costume for actors in their theatrical tragedies. They were used to visibly elevate characters to convey greater importance or social standing.

In the 1300s, heels took on a much more practical use. People in the Middle East attached wooden stilts to their feet to protect the wearer from hot or wet floors. This trend continued through the Middle Ages, giving birth to pattens and chopines, which both were intended to keep the wearer clean.

Practicality remained key in the Safavid Dynasty. Horse-riding warriors wore heeled shoes to help them grip the stirrups and stand up as they rode.

In the 1600s, heels became much more of a fashion statement. King Louis XIV of France often donned ornate, 5-inch heeled shoes. To ensure he was the leader of the fashion pack, he ruled that no one else should have heels higher than him.

By the 1900s, the heel had definitely become a fashion statement. Christian Dior and Roger Vivier created the stiletto heel as we now know it in 1955. Although thinner heels had existed before this, it was only when the two iconic designers collaborated that the trend skyrocketed.

The stiletto heel made way for more extreme designs, like platforms in the 1970s and sky-high heels that characterised the 1990s.

To find out more about the heel’s extensive history, take a look at the Jones Bootmaker infographic in full below.

High Heels stand for royalty and boldness!

Guest Post!

High Heels stand for royalty and boldness!

Why do women like to wear heels? Why are they so obsessed with stilettos, wedges and various other kinds of high-heeled shoes? If I think practically, I would say high heels are the most uncomfortable shoes as they make walking difficult. Then, what’s that thing that makes ladies drool over every hot new pair of high heels they come across? Well, the answer is simple. Women in heels look gorgeous, sexy and classy, all at the same time. High heels make woman feel more powerful and boost their go-getter attitude. Hence, a sensational pair of heels is the favorite of every woman.

History of heels

The love affair of a woman with heels is not new. In fact, it dates back to ancient history when members of the aristocracy used to wear shoes of such kind. In ancient Egypt, shoes became the differentiating factor between the nobility and lower classes. Men and women both used to wear shoes with high wooden or cork soles on special ceremonies to define their social status. Unknowingly, the heel became the identity of superiority. Later in the early 15^th century, the most fashionable platform shoe was invented. Within no time, it became a status symbol for high-class women in Europe. These shoes were then adorned with embroidery and lace work to make them look more attractive. Riding boots with heels were introduced in the early 16^th century. Both men and women wore these practical shoes. By the end of 16^th century, heels became a mark of royalty and only aristocrats were supposed to wear such shoes.

Modern-day heels

Ever since the heels came into being, many experiments have been done with their shapes and sizes to make them statement pieces. Today’s modern-age women prefer more practical styles like wedges as along with style, they provide the required support to their feet. As shoes really does matter, give your personality that extra push with a stiletto or pumps. Working women are rather more fascinated by these towering heels, and they often slip on a pair of their highest heels while heading to an important client meeting or interview. A lady who means just business often wear heels to work as she feels more influential while some wear them to make others perceive them as more influential. Whatever be the reason, just grab your BFFs and stand tall and bold.

Must-have styles

Wedges: Take a break from your boring flats. It’s time to accentuate your style with trendy wedges. For a day-out with friends, wedge heels would be the most appropriate choice as these are not just funky but comfortable too. Team a complementing pair with your solid dress and stay stylish and comfortable all day.

Stilettos: For enterprising ladies, a pair of black stilettos is a must-have. Be it making an impression in the boardroom or grabbing those eyeballs in an after-office party, a pair of stilettos would let you do just that. Stiletto shoes come with slender and high heels and make a woman look bold and stylish in an instant. So, now you know the secret of a flawless professional look.

Sandals: Nothing can better complement your sari look than a pair of high heel sandals. While going to a marriage, slip on a glittering pair of sandals to attain a flawless and feminine look. What’s more! Sandals are quite comfortable to hang out the whole day. There are so many variations available in sandals that you would love to have all of them. Strappy sandals are a big hit these days and look great with short dresses. Grab your favorite pair today!

Knee-high boots: The easiest way to survive your style during winter months is to wear those high-heeled knee-high boots. Wear your boots with a trench coat and give your look an edge with a printed scarf.

Contributed by Parul Chahal:

Parul is a fashion writer working with a leading online fashion destination. In this post, she talks about the latest fads in heels and about their history as well.

Bright Color Heels for Adding a Pop look to your dress

Bright color heels are the latest in trend as far as Hollywood is concerned. In fact, bright colored heels can be perfect to add that pop of color to an otherwise subtle ensemble. Here is what they can be teamed up with:

LBD

That little black dress is the perfect reason to add a bright pair of red wedged heels or something more bold in lime green or pink to your collection. However, as a thumb rule, stay away from yellow if you are going to wear them with black. In all likelihood, you will end up looking like a Bumblebee than a fashionista.

The vibrant look

If keeping it simple isn’t your style, you could even go all out with colors, aka, Bella. A bright pink dress with matching colored heels work equally well to add that pop to your look. However, while going for this look, try and stay away from bright or patterned socks. While socks with bright colored heels are very much the trend, too much of anything can spoil the party.

There are graffiti heels too

For an outrageous (and cool) style statement, there are graffiti heels to be had too in all sorts of colors. If you are going for the graffiti look, try to keep at the top. Neutral colors such as black, beige etc. work the best.

The princess look

A flowing, feminine dress, combined with similar toned heels can make you look vibrant, youthful, elegant and bold, all at the same time.

If you are feeling apprehensive about the whole thing, here are 3 reasons why trying bright colored heels isn’t such a risky proposition after all:

They are easier to carry than bright colored clothes. Bright colored heels are an easier option to add those bright hues you have always loved, while still keeping it subtle.
You can change them in a jiffy. You may get stuck at a party with a bright orange top that’s making you look like a fool. But a bright pair of heels that isn’t suiting the occasion is relatively easier to change.
Of course, they are an easier way to add a new dimension to your look. Even a basic pair of white tee and denims can get a vibrant meaning with a bright pair of heels.