Most women who say they "can't wear heels" have simply never worn the right type of heel. A stiletto and a block heel are as different to walk in as a bicycle and a bus, yet both get sold under the same word. Pick the wrong one for your day and the pair lives in its box forever.
This guide covers all 12 types of heels for women, with names, pictures, heel heights and honest notes on comfort. By the end you will be able to name every style on a shelf and know which two are actually worth buying first. Every type below is in stock at Forever Shoe Bazar in UK sizes 2–8 (EU 35–41).
Types of heels at a glance
| Heel type | Typical height | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block heel | 5–9 cm | ★★★★★ | Weddings, work, long days |
| Kitten heel | 3.5–6 cm | ★★★★★ | Office, daily wear |
| Wedge heel | 5–10 cm | ★★★★★ | Daytime, travel, outdoors |
| Platform heel | 9–14 cm | ★★★★ | Parties, concerts, height |
| Pump | 2–10 cm | ★★★★ | Office, formal events |
| Heeled mule | 4–9 cm | ★★★★ | Office to dinner, slip-on ease |
| Slingback | 3.5–8 cm | ★★★★ | Work, brunch, summer |
| Mary Jane | 0–7 cm | ★★★★ | Secure fit, retro looks |
| Ankle-strap heel | 6–11 cm | ★★★ | Parties, ethnic wear |
| Cone heel | 6–9 cm | ★★★ | Retro, statement dressing |
| Pencil heel | 7–10 cm | ★★ | Receptions, seated events |
| Stiletto | 9 cm+ | ★★ | Parties, photos, short wear |
1. Block heel
A block heel is wide and squared off, running the full width of the shoe's back. That broad base is the whole point: your weight lands across a large surface instead of a single spike, so the shoe stays steady on marble, grass, cobblestones and dance floors alike.
Height usually sits between 5 cm and 9 cm, which is enough lift to change the line of an outfit without changing how you walk. If you are buying one pair of heels for an Indian wedding season, this is the one. It also handles a full office day better than almost anything else with height.
Wear with: sarees, lehengas, trousers, midi dresses, jeans.
Shop: Block Heels for Women
2. Kitten heel
The kitten heel is short and slender, typically 3.5–6 cm. It looks like a miniature stiletto, which is exactly why it works: you get the sharp, formal silhouette of a thin heel while keeping your foot close to flat.
This is the classic office heel and the most-recommended starting point for anyone who finds heels uncomfortable. Slingback and pointed-toe versions have come back strongly and now read as one of the more quietly expensive-looking shoes you can wear.
Wear with: tailored trousers, pencil skirts, kurtas, shirt dresses.
Shop: Kitten Heels for Women
3. Stiletto
A stiletto is defined by the heel itself: thin, tall and tapering to a narrow tip, usually 9 cm or more. It creates the longest leg line of any heel and the most dramatic posture, which is why it dominates evening wear and photographs.
The trade-off is honest — nearly all your weight concentrates on the ball of the foot. Stilettos are for events where you will mostly be seated or standing in one place, not for walking distances. Look for a padded forefoot and, ideally, an ankle strap.
Wear with: cocktail dresses, gowns, tailored suits.
Shop: High Heels for Women
4. Pencil heel
In India, "pencil heel" is the everyday name for a slim stiletto-style heel, usually a little more moderate at 7–10 cm. Technically it is a stiletto variant; practically, most shoppers searching for pencil heels want an elegant, thin-heeled shoe for a reception, party or a formal occasion.
Because the term is used so widely, you will find pencil heels in pumps, sandals and mules. An ankle strap makes a real difference to stability if you are wearing them for several hours.
Wear with: sarees, gowns, party dresses, co-ord sets.
Shop: Pencil Heels for Women
5. Platform heel
A platform heel adds a thick sole under the front of the foot. This is the single cleverest trick in footwear: if the heel is 12 cm and the platform is 3 cm, your foot only feels a 9 cm incline. You get dramatic height at a much lower comfort cost.
Platforms suit anyone who wants real height but cannot tolerate a stiletto's pitch. They are heavier and less delicate looking, which is part of the appeal in current styling.
Wear with: flared jeans, maxi dresses, party wear.
Shop: Platform Heels & Wedges
6. Wedge heel
A wedge replaces the separate heel with one continuous sloping sole running from heel to toe. There is no gap under the arch, so the whole foot is supported. Among heels above 6 cm, wedges are the most walkable option there is.
Cork and espadrille wedges read casual and daytime; sleek covered wedges pass easily for evening. They are also the safest heel on soft ground, which makes them ideal for outdoor functions and travel.
Wear with: sundresses, palazzos, jeans, resort wear.
Shop: Wedges for Women
7. Pump
"Pump" describes the shape of the shoe, not the heel. A pump is closed at the toe and closed at the back, with no straps or fastenings, and it can be built on any heel — kitten, block or stiletto. That is why a pump can be both the most conservative and the most versatile shoe in a wardrobe.
A black or nude pump on a 5–7 cm block heel is arguably the most useful formal shoe a woman can own in India: it works for interviews, offices, court, weddings and dinners without adjustment.
Wear with: suits, formal trousers, sheath dresses, sarees.
Shop: Pumps for Women
8. Heeled mule
A mule is any heel with an open, backless heel cup. You step in and go, which makes them the quickest heel to wear and the easiest to kick off under a desk or a dinner table.
The open back means your heel is not locked in, so choose a snug fit and, if you walk a lot, a block or low heel rather than a thin one. Mules are the natural choice if you want something more polished than a flat but faster than a strapped sandal.
Wear with: wide-leg trousers, midi skirts, co-ords, jeans.
Shop: Mules for Women
9. Slingback
A slingback is open at the back like a mule but adds a thin strap across the heel. That one strap solves the mule's biggest weakness: your foot stays put, so you can walk properly while keeping the lighter, cooler feel of an open back.
Slingbacks are especially good in Indian summers, and a pointed-toe slingback on a kitten heel is one of the smartest office shoes available.
Wear with: workwear, brunch dresses, cropped trousers.
Shop: Slingback & Kitten Heels
10. Mary Jane
A Mary Jane is identified by the strap across the instep, usually with a buckle or button. It exists in flats and in heels, and the strap does real work: it holds the foot down into the shoe, making it one of the most secure styles for anyone whose feet slip out of court shoes.
The look is retro and slightly schoolgirl, which is exactly why it has returned. It is also a genuinely practical pick for narrow feet.
Wear with: pleated skirts, dresses, cuffed trousers, socks.
Shop: Mary Jane Shoes for Women
11. Ankle-strap heel
An ankle strap can be added to almost any heel, and it is the most underrated comfort feature in footwear. By anchoring the ankle, it stops your foot sliding forward, which is what actually causes most heel pain at the end of a long evening.
If you want to wear something tall for several hours — a sangeet, a reception, a long party — an ankle strap will buy you more time on your feet than any other single detail.
Wear with: lehengas, gowns, party dresses, saris.
Shop: Heeled Sandals
12. Cone heel
A cone heel is wide where it meets the shoe and tapers to a narrow point at the floor, like an upside-down ice cream cone. It sits between a block and a stiletto in both looks and stability: more grounded than a spike, more sculptural than a block.
Cone heels are a statement rather than a staple, and they suit anyone who wants something recognisably different while keeping a reasonable amount of support.
Wear with: structured dresses, retro silhouettes, monochrome outfits.
Shop: All Heels for Women
Which type of heel should you buy first?
If you own no heels at all, buy two pairs and you will cover almost every occasion in an Indian wardrobe.
Pair one: a black low block heel or pump, 5–7 cm. This is the workhorse. It goes to offices, interviews, family functions, dinners and temples. Black hides scuffs, and a block heel survives uneven Indian pavements and marble floors alike.
Pair two: a nude or beige kitten heel, 3.5–6 cm. Nude lengthens the leg with everything and reads lighter and dressier than black. At kitten height you can wear it all day, which means you will actually wear it.
After those two, buy for the gap in your life rather than the trend. Lots of outdoor weddings? A wedge. Long office days with a smart dress code? A pump or a loafer. Evening events and photographs? A pencil heel or stiletto with an ankle strap. Festive season? Something metallic — see our silver heels.
Heel height guide: what each range actually feels like
Flat to 3 cm. All-day wear, commuting, standing work. No adjustment period. If you are on your feet more than four hours, stay here or in the next band. Consider bellies and ballerinas or loafers instead.
3.5 to 6 cm. The office sweet spot — kitten heels and low block heels. Comfortable for a full workday including a commute. This is the range most people underestimate; it changes your posture and outfit line far more than the number suggests.
6 to 9 cm. Mid pumps and taller block heels. Right for weddings, functions and evenings where you will be on your feet but not walking far. Choose a block or wedge base in this range rather than a thin heel.
9 cm and above. Stilettos, pencil heels and platforms. Best for shorter, mostly-seated events. If you need to last a full night, pick a platform base or an ankle strap — preferably both.
Sizes at Forever Shoe Bazar run UK 2–8 (EU 35–41). Check the size chart before ordering.
How to wear heels comfortably
Size up in pointed toes. A pointed toe adds length that is not usable foot room. If you are between sizes in a pointed style, take the larger one.
Buy for the end of the day. Feet swell. Try shoes on in the evening rather than first thing in the morning, and never judge a pair by the first thirty seconds.
Look for a cushioned insole. The single biggest comfort variable in a heel is what is under the ball of your foot, not the height of the heel.
Fix slipping with grips, not a smaller size. If your heel lifts out, silicone heel grips or a slingback style solve it. Going a size down just cramps your toes.
Break them in at home. Two or three short sessions indoors on carpet will soften the upper before an event, and will tell you honestly whether the pair works.
Rotate pairs. Wearing the same heel height every day loads the same tendons repeatedly. Alternating between a flat, a kitten and a mid heel is better for your feet than committing to one.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of heels?
The 12 main types of heels are block heels, kitten heels, stilettos, pencil heels, platform heels, wedge heels, pumps, heeled mules, slingbacks, Mary Janes, ankle-strap heels and cone heels. They differ by heel shape, heel height and how the shoe fastens to the foot.
Which type of heel is most comfortable?
Block heels, kitten heels and wedges are the most comfortable, because each spreads your weight across a wide base or the full sole instead of concentrating it on the ball of the foot. For real height with less strain, choose a platform.
What is the difference between a stiletto and a pencil heel?
They are close relatives. A stiletto is any very thin, tall tapering heel, usually 9 cm or more. "Pencil heel" is the term used commonly in India for a slim heel of this style, often slightly shorter at 7–10 cm.
What is the difference between a block heel and a wedge?
A block heel is a wide, separate heel with a gap under the arch. A wedge has no gap — the sole runs continuously from heel to toe, supporting the whole foot, which usually makes it the more comfortable of the two.
Which heel type is best for the office?
Kitten heels, low block heels and block-heel pumps between 3.5 cm and 7 cm. All three are stable enough for a commute and formal enough for meetings.
Which heels are best with a saree or lehenga?
Block heels and platform heels. Both give an elegant lift without sinking into grass or slipping on polished floors, and the extra height helps manage a long hemline. Metallics work across most functions.
What heel height should a beginner start with?
Start at 3.5–6 cm in a block or kitten heel. Both are forgiving and let you learn to walk in height before moving to something taller or thinner.
Which heel type is best for wide feet?
Look for round or almond toes rather than sharp points, and styles with an adjustable strap — Mary Janes, ankle-strap heels and open slingbacks all give the forefoot more room than a closed pointed pump.
Shop heels by type
Browse every style in this guide: Block Heels, Kitten Heels, High Heels & Stilettos, Pencil Heels, Platform Heels & Wedges, Pumps, Mules, Mary Janes, Heeled Sandals and Heels Under ₹2000.
Or see the full range of heels for women — over 300 styles from ₹999, with COD, easy 7-day exchange and pan-India delivery in 2–4 days.
Read next: our complete guide to block heels, guide to pencil heels, guide to wedges for women and guide to formal shoes for women.
