Ask Angie: What style of black heels will be most versatile and timeless?

My previous favorite pair were BCBG pointy toed stilettos, with about a 3 1/2" heel. Might have been 4" but that was about 10 years ago and before both pregnancies/kids. They were replaced with another BCBG pair, but slingbacks, and a lower heel at about 2 1/2".

I never felt they fully filled that gap though, as they felt too seasonally specific - I didn't like wearing them in the winter.

The elastic on the slingback strap is wearing out, and the toe is getting scuffed beyond wearability, so I'm finally going to replace them. My question, as asked in the forum title, is what to get?

My job is technically a desk job, but I'm up and walking about quite a bit so they do have to be somewhat comfortable by my personal standards. I'll probably wear them at least once a week. I can wear a fairly high heel if the heel itself is thicker, but the narrower it gets, the less height I can handle. Not sure I want to commit to a kitten heel though, that seems like it needs to be a completely separate shoe purchase, not my standard black pump. I do love a classic pointy toe, but with my rock and roll bent and love of vintage, should I go with a more rounded toe for a while? I'm most likely going to get a matte black, but there is quite a bit of patent out there. Would that be to restrictive as far as which outfits I could wear them with? I'm even almost tempted to go with a mary jane style, but I already have a pair of lace-up oxford platforms, so that might be too repetitive, and will not fill the gap of a classic black heel.

Since Angie may not get back to me right away, I'd love to hear others thoughts and opinions too. What kind of black heel should I buy?

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

A rounded point would cover a lot of bases. Maybe even one with just the lowest of platforms... like the way Prada does it.

DonnaF

FWIW, I think of patent as a S/S material, even if it's black. I have embossed (croc pattern) black patent pumps, and I could never bring myself to wear them in F/W. I also have black kid(?) pumps, not too shiny. I think of them as F/W, but I never wanted to wear them this past season. For one, they *feel* a bit too corporate for my taste. Also, I would tend to reach for my black suede and patent heeled ghillies (like an oxford) instead or other more covered up footwear.

One of the how/what to wear bloggers, Brigette Raes, (brigetteraes.com) is against black shoes and suggests shoes in one's skin color as a more sophisticated choice. Easier said than found!

old chic

Active Member

The safe route would be to go with Manolos. I know you're a rock and roll girl, and these are definitely not r&r, but I don't think there's much of anything that wouldn't look good with these. The heel is basically perfect, and the whole thing is streamlined and feminine. Awfully price-y, though.

Neiman Marcus

Newcio Kidskin Pump, Black

View Info

Top Pick

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like what Old Chic's reasoning - although they do not need to be designer pumps. The shape is very versatile, and creates the severity you are looking for.

kkards

If you can afford it, I second old chic's recommendation of the Manolaa. I bought my pair sometime around 2007-2008, they probably have the lowest CPW of anything in my closet. But if you don't want to send that kind of money, the same silhouette can be found at lower price points. Or you could decide to get a 3 season shoe, and go a little rock & roll, with something like my 3rd find.

Nordstrom

BCBGeneration 'Pinni' Pointy Toe Pump (Women)

$78.95 $49.99

Sale

Ivanka Trump 'Boni' Pointy Toe Pump (Women)

$109.95 $54.96

Sole Society 'Tamra' Pointy Toe Pump

$69.95

rabbit

I find ankle straps on a pump a lot easier to keep on than one without, but I second the pointy or almost-pointy (almond) silhouette. If you can wear a plain pump that's perhaps the most versatile/timeless. For me I prefer ankle straps over mary-janes, the proportions seem to work better and it's somewhat more alluring to my eye. I have a pair of comfortable wedge mary-janes but they seem to work better with long skinny jeans than skirts.

ETA: the classic pointy toed leather pump shows up a fair amount at thrift, and discounted versions of mid-priced retail brands are available at off-price retailers (t j maxx, marshalls, etc.) so I think you can find a version at all price points.

Anonymous

I agree with Old Chic. I've only ever test driven Manolos in store, but the moment an unexpected windfall comes my way, I'm having those Newcios! There's something about the way they're built that makes an elegant shoe also comfy to wear. And the little flare at the end of the heel gives stability. I've been around the block a bit and can't see them going out of style. A true investment, but if it's hard to justify, maybe you can find something similar (no toe cleavage, flare heel, etc) elsewhere.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

I think a classic pump, no straps, no patent, would be the most versatile and long lasting. I don't think you need to spend Manolo money for a nice pair, although more power to you if you have it. I've got a pair of Cole Haans that are great, Calvin Klein makes good basic classic heels (there are some at Nordstrom online right now), and Naturalizer and Nine West always have good options. I'm on the tablet right now or I'd do some Finds.

In your situation, I'd probably spend some time on Zappos seeing what's available in my size and budget, order several, and try them on to decide which one is the best.

trekkiegirl

Great input, thanks all. I think I agree with the assessment that a classic, pointed toe is still my best bet. I really like the flare on the Manolo heel, I can see how that would definitely add some stability, but also definitely out of my price range lol. I think I'll stick with a matte black leather of some kind. The slingbacks I had were a 3-season shoe, and that was something I was unhappy with, so not going there again. Zappos is a great idea too, thanks for reminding me of it! Their return policy is amazing.

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