Heels - current/classic/dated

Sal

I don't wear heels very often any more. But I have five pairs ranging from one year of age to nine years.

I don't plan to add any more heels (excepting wedges or chunky sandals etc) - to my eye all these are either current or classic. But interested to get some feedback.

1) Tan Slingbacks (second hand to me about 2021) 2
2) Black mid heel pumps (new to me 2018) 1
3) Yellow mules (new 2022) 8
4) Green tango sandals (new 2014) 1
5) Black sandals (new 2015) 3

I have room to keep them all, and they have all had at least one wear in the last 18 months (wears in the column on the right since I have been tracking.

Please be honest - anything here that would bring down an outfit rather than elevating it?

Thanks in advance.

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7 months ago

General

30 replies

Latest reply was from Pouty

avicennia

Veteran

I’m interested in what others have to say. I don’t see anything dated here — the narrow heels seem to be coming back. I’m still seeing lots of block heels in Europe.

7 months ago

Dee

Veteran

They seem pretty classic to me, and so if you still enjoy wearing them, they feel comfortable on your feet and you have the room for them, I vote keep.

7 months ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have to say that I’m seeing so many heel styles at retail right now that I’d be hard pressed to call any of these styles “dated.”

How do they feel to you? Not just physically but emotionally? Are they filling a gap or place holding? I’m shifting a bit from defining things in terms of “dated” to deciding whether they are the style that I want to emulate as I move forward. I’m really considering whether an item suits me and what I’m aiming to do with my style and outfits. Sort of a “does this move me forward?” question — if I put on a pair of shoes or boots with an outfit, do I feel they add or enhance rather than distract or detract? Do I have another pair that I continually reach for instead?

I’m personally very fond of block heels and they feel right for my style, so I confess I’m fondest of those. The black pumps look professional if that is something you need.

7 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

None are dated, sweet Sal!

The "Lady Di" pump is actually having a fashionable on trend moment

That said, pass on any that are uncomfortable or not to your taste anymore.

7 months ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree with Angie and everyone. I have also read that t straps are coming in, but it doesn't really matter nearly as much as comfort.

7 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

#1 Comfort
#2 What Janet said -- and to add to that, or maybe put it another way, you might ask if any move you away from your aspirational style, or make you feel "meh" in outfits.

If any of these is "just the thing" for certain outfits that you love, then by all means keep!

I like them all! The tan slingback and black mid-heel seem classic and versatile. The tango sandal has a fun retro integrity and would add a great pop of colour. The mustard slide feels current and also adds a pop of colour. And the black block heel looks useful.

7 months ago

The Cat

Veteran

None of these look dated. And I agree with everything Janet said.

7 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Also, I should add -- heeled or dressy shoes have a long lifetime in my closet when I have the space for them. I don't wear them often, but need them occasionally. And like coats, they don't seem to date as easily as some other types of clothing or footwear, at least to my mind.

It's a bit of a paradox. The very current shoe can make every outfit seem more stylish. At the same time, a classic or iconic shoe can be extremely versatile and work in outfits you might not otherwise have the right footwear for.

7 months ago

rachylou

Veteran

Have to say I’ve noticed the Lady Di heel thing. Also: I especially like your green heels.

7 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Rachy - the green ones are the most sentimental - and the most comfortable!!

Suz - I agree - occasion wear shoes don't date that quickly - thankfully as none of these would be close to 30 wears....

Thank you Avicenna, The Cat, Dee and Jaime.

Angie - I am going to google what the Lady Di Pump is!! And thanks for chiming in.

Thank you Janet - that's a good question. These are all comfortable enough for when I wear heels - mostly out to dinner or for occasions. I do have a wedding coming up in which I will likely wear the yellow or the black (or potentially some gold low heels).

I want to look breezy, elegant, bold - maybe a touch classic or a touch sporty - and modern and stylish.

7 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I saw your post at lunchtime but no time to reply then- well maybe I could have but I was busy Googling Lady Di pump too! I’m with Rachy in loving the green ones best as seeming the most special. But I like them all too.
Our best friends came home last week after 3 months in Europe so I was able to add a wear of some dressier heeled boots out to dinner! Yay!

7 months ago

Roberta

Veteran

I think all of your examples are timeless (LOVE the t-straps), but my personal opinion is that a plain black pump looks kind of office-y. I was just in Boston for a couple of days and noticed a woman walking in a nice outfit with plain black shoes, and I thought the black pumps kind of dragged her outfit down. No offense meant, and if you love them, wear them in good health.

7 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My dear Sal, you have the Lady Di pump! It's your #2 photo of the black heels. Black Mid Heel Pumps as you describe them

7 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

What Suz said in her last comment. A stylish/trendy shoe can elevate a basic outfit, but a classic shoe can be a workhorse. To my eye, the yellow mule sandal, the black sandal, and the green sentimental favourite stand out as particularly modern at the moment. They probably won’t date because they are fairly classic, but each has something going for it that make them ‘of the moment’ even if they are older shoes. The skin tone sling back and black court shoe are tried and true classics, though Roberta has a point about the black pump. But, hey! I’ve got a pair like that in my closet!

They all look to be in good shape. If they are comfortable, I vote keep them all.

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by Runcarla

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7 months ago

judy

Veteran

If you like them and they work for your feet, keep them all until such time as either of those things change. As I've gotten older, there was a day that arrived I could no longer do heels. So I say, enjoy them!

7 months ago

Star

Veteran

This is my opinion in general about heeled pumps. There is a blogger who puts together some really cool outfits. She tends to very often pair them with a heeled pump and I always think that it makes the outfit too uptight and would look so much more modern and relaxed with a sneaker/trainer or chunky sandal. She loves heeled pumps ala the 80s. I think it depends where you are going in them. Sometimes they are appropriate. I personally now prefer a more blocky heeled pump but I do not own any as I have no need for them in my casual life. Btw I do love your yellow sandals above and think they will elevate most outfits to modern.

7 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all! I will keep them - I suspect that gradually I will wear them less and less. They are all comfortable enough at the moment with the two black pairs being the least comfortable, and the tan and green being the most comfortable.

The black pumps I purchased for a wedding in 2018 and used to get more wear 2018-2019 than they have since 2020. I get now why they are Princess Diana pumps (mid heel).

7 months ago

Anonymous

Love the yellow and the green most! If they're all comfortable and you still use them, I vote keep.
I've just been wearing my low block heel sandals (when not in Birks) like your yellow ones, but still have higher heeled boots. Heels are definitely still worn around here for conferences and networking events.

7 months ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I don’t wear heels much at all theses days but still hang on to a few pairs for those rare occasions when they are appropriate.All these seem fine to me,none struck as dated.Classic yes but not dated.If you have room to store them keep them and time will decide for you if any should go eventually.

7 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Heels are worn here - but more and more now just for balls, evening, weddings etc and not as much for work. If we go out to a restaurant we usually walk (as it is 1km to the entertainment parts of our city) so my heels don't get worn very much.

I do wonder if the pendulum will swing back again towards heels - most trends do come back.

7 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think they are coming back now. I wonder if the tolerance for them will reduce because of so many people wearing sneakers! I have a small number of heels now too but think at age 62 I will bow out of purchasing any more. Small heels only- not even mid.

7 months ago

Sal

Veteran

That's my decision too Jenni - no more mid-high heels for me (low and wedges are still fine). That's why I am keen to keep the range I have to avoid the need for any more.

And I agree my tolerance has decreased - partly due to age, but partly due to just not wearing them any more.

7 months ago

Pouty

Active Member

If the shoe fits, wear it. It’s all about if you’re comfortable wearing those shoes.

2 months ago

Joy

Veteran

I was told to stop wearing heels and have gotten rid of them all and do not miss them. I did keep a pair of small heeled EF black shoes for weddings and such. They are comfortable and pretty stable. I would not wear them in slippery conditions. I have never chosen to wear them.

2 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

This is a 5-month old thread.

2 months ago

lyn67

Veteran

Nothing really dated but think understand why do you ask. So, if I were You I would keep nr 1(a tan shoe is always great for us blondes!!!), 3&5 as ablock heel is almost a wedge isn't it:-)? But nr 2&4 are classic and elegant so they may still fill some needs in your life (funerals or a tango night?).

As about heels in general I'm also not wearing them anymore at the moment (and for years now already!)---but I stick to them as nothing bats elegance of a heel if really needed (especially to a dress or skirt outfit).

2 months ago

Sal

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