Block heeled sandals - are we on board? - YouLookFab Forum

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Block heeled sandals - are we on board?

rachylou

Veteran

Did Angie do a post on them? I saw them in a mag as the new sliced bread, at least, and thought fantastic! Then I saw my neighbour's allo mother in a pair, and finally understood what she meant by her allo mom being high fashion. Allo mom looked right there.

And now... I feel really over it without having ever gotten started. Of course, we've plunged back into our spring/summer wintery weather... There are zero of these in the stores (sandals have come in) (no idea where allo mom got hers) (haven't been all the way out to Nordies).

So I'm wondering now if these are yays or nays, if I blinked and missed it, or what...

General

42 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

DJP

I say NAY! I just keep thinking about Clinton Kelly and his hatred of the "boca sandal". Aren't those block heels just another reincarnation of the dreaded boca sandal?

rachylou

Veteran

The dreaded boca sandal was a new term for me... Had to google... Had to laugh. (Lol!)

I know someone on YLF could do a bang up job with either... But yes... General dread indeed... Haha! So hard to resist the pull of going Mrs. Roper...

(And please! Someone make spell correct stop turning 'on' into 'in', ok?!)

Anonymous

All my sandals just happen to be wedges. I like a stacked heel myself. What's a boca sandal? Ah yes, just Googled it..

I think there are still quite a few block heels around, but I'm seeing many more wedges with small platforms, flatforms or gladiator styles.

Staysfit

Veteran

I like wedge heels and platforms but maybe not quite block like. I just bought a pair of Pedro Garcia platform heels for Spring/Summer. I made the purchase because they are one of the most comfortable shoes ever! Not necessarily for their looks. They made a tall girl even taller. Love that I can get closer to my DH who is 6'5".

Maybe you need to look to the Spanish and Italians for your shoe fashion instead of Nordies? That's where I would go.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Not a big fan of these type of heels I had to look up boca also. But I'm not sure if it is a trend. I'm always left of the trend curve anyway.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Oh I do like a chunky shoe. A low block heel or a platform is great for comfortable elevation on sandals. But all depends on execution. Those boca shoes are the work of whoever it is on Peri's shirt.

Dixie

If I had to wear any type of heel, this is what I would choose. Or something with a wedge/platform. They look good and confortable.

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Anonymous

I like them! Love Staysfit's advice to look to Italy and Spain. IMO block heels of just the right height add balance and class to dramatic outfits. I personally don't like the look of a stilleto gladiator or other sandal that has a lot of strappy detail or wide straps. It looks unbalanced to me.

Kirstjen

Veteran

I bought a pair of Loeffler Randall block heel sandals last summer & wore them quite a bit. I think it really depends on the design of the entire shoe.

BTW, what does allo mean?

always trying

Veteran

Are they also called city sandals. I am seeing a lot of them. i like chunky heels as long as they re not too high.

Anonymous

boca I could figure out, but what the heck is allo?

Carole

Veteran

I'm not sure what you mean by "block" heel.....so I guess I'm out if the loop. If it's comfortable, I will most likely wear it (if it's cute:)

Diana

Veteran

On a delicate ladylike shoe with skinny straps and round toe? Nay. (This is the boca shoe, right?)

But on something like a chunky sandal boot or even just a heavier sandal like the on Dixie posted? Yay.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Because I am not as hip as Rachylou or DJP

Boca sandals: "The Boca sandal. In his book, Kelly writes that these sandals -- a white sandal with a low, square-heeled sandal -- seem to be worn most by women in Boca Raton, Fla."

rachylou

Veteran

Thanks, Rambling Ann!

Too too funny, approprio!

No, ladywone? I could see you rockin' em.

Pic below is a stacked block heel. I'm thinking, Karen, featured regularly on Angie's blog, has a pair. Karen always looks fantastic. On the other hand, maybe she did and it was years ago - meaning the sandals aren't really *it* this year.

I find a low block heel pretty good for actually walking around in. Not too hard on the knees and back. Am feeling friendlier towards them today...

1

annabelle

Veteran

I love a block heel and a lot of leather in a sandal. I also am a fan of the stacked heel, given how many leather covered heels I have destroyed in my day. I've chosen a few Finds to opine on for this conversation. I love the orange one, and I haven't tried it yet (it looks like thin, lower quality leather). But, orange! I have the Bruno Premi black sandals on order, with high hopes. Now, here's the NAY on why block heels would die, if they do: these CK Jeans aqua sandals. Their heel is huge, making it look wonderful. But look at the scale when realizing they have a 3.75" heel: they are heavy! and heaven help you if you accidentally knick your own ankle getting out of a car or something.

So, while I love the look, the jury is out on where these will go.

Franco Sarto 'Montage' Leather Sandal (Women)

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BRUNO PREMI Sandals

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Calvin Klein Jeans Brena

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BRUNO PREMI Sandals

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rachylou

Veteran

Had to laugh, annabelle, about kicking your own ankle. I'd so do that.

Thistle

Veteran

I am not loving them. The heel is too high to be comfortable for me. As long as Birks are trending, I am going to follow that trend

abc

Veteran

Some of them appeal to me but I doubt I bite. Until the trend is almost over by then they will have grown on me enough. Right now they just look a little too 90s (?) to my eye. I'm so behind the curve.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like them. I had just decided to buy a pair yesterday and they went from only a few left to sold out

I somehow was imagining allo mother to being like 'allo darlin!

The Stitched Jemma Sandal

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rachylou

Veteran

*'Allo, darling! Are you working?*

I just couldn't resist saying it [Actual Ruper Everett book title: Hello, Darling? Are You Working?]

I find the fashion shows throw me off a lot these days. I want things before they're available; then when they arrive, I'm so over them. Maybe I'll work some enthusiasm up for them just past peak. I'm only now starting to have a few flutterins for bf's. But they have to be ripped.

Echo

Veteran

Whew, thank you, RamblingAnn! There are a lot of unfamiliar terms for me here.

I do like block heels, on almost anything, but like Thistle said, as long as Birks are trending they will be my summer shoe of choice.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You guys! err Ladies! What is wrong with a nice pair of mini-peep toed low block (Boca) heels? Well I may not have that combination but I definitely have the peep and the boca somewhere.

anne

Veteran

I like the look of them and would wear them (or at least try them) in a low heeled version.

Adelfa

Veteran

I've been wearing them for years and still love them.

rachylou

Veteran

Sometimes I feel too delicate and ladylike in a heel like this. Which is interesting. I'm usually ok with a spike heel - but then again, I feel those are a weapon...

Astrid

Veteran

I don't do high heels and I somehow can't imagine wearing a lower block heel. They feel childish to me because they look like the dressy sandals my mother had me wear to my brother's and sister's christening. Which is rather silly...

Anonymous

Exhibit a and exhibit b ladies. And they are both from the latest ranges.

Both block heels and fab! I love a stacked block heel too. I feel too wibbly in kitten type heels so I always buy chunky heeled shoes of all kinds of heights up to 2.5 inches. Love em!

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rachylou

Veteran

Hmmm... Very interesting variations, Diane. Very interesting... Downright intriguing.

Must ponder.

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