Tan heels do a job that black never quite manages, which is to lengthen the leg without announcing themselves. The right shade sits somewhere between caramel and biscuit, close enough to skin tone to blur the line at the ankle, but with enough depth of colour that it doesn’t look washed out under artificial light. Too pale and they read beige and slightly corporate, too orange and they veer into costume territory. The good ones have a warmth to them, more toffee than terracotta, and that warmth is what makes them work with almost everything else in a woman’s rail.
Leather matters more here than with black shoes, because tan shows up every flaw in the finish. A dull, plasticky faux leather will look cheap regardless of the heel height, while a supple, slightly grained leather catches the light in a way that looks expensive even on a modest budget.
Suede is worth considering too, particularly in a dustier, more muted tan, since it softens the whole look and works well through autumn.
Heel shape should earn its place as well. A slim block or a kitten heel in tan reads as more considered than a stiletto, which can tip the whole shoe towards evening only.
Styling wise, tan heels are the neutral that black pretends to be but rarely delivers. They cut through navy, cream, khaki and every wash of denim without competing for attention, and they do something particularly good under a wide leg trouser, where the eye reads one continuous line from hem to floor. With a slip skirt or a linen dress in summer they add warmth rather than contrast, which is often more flattering than the crispness of black. Against a bare leg they disappear in the best way, and against tights or trousers they add just enough colour to stop an outfit looking flat.
Occasion wise, they are the shoe for the in between moments, the wedding that isn’t formal enough for a strappy sandal, the office event that runs into evening, the daytime meeting followed by dinner. They travel well too, holding their own from spring through early autumn in a way that black patent or metallic never quite manages, without ever looking like they’re trying too hard.
Top Picks
TAN HEELSTEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Kruise Block Heel Sandals - Tan - Size
$119.95 STEVE MADDEN
TAN HEELNINA SHOESWomen's Suellen Tuscan Tan Suedette High-Heel Platform Sandal
$99.97
$29.99 NINA SHOES
TAN HEELSHIEKHWomen Lasting-20 Low Heel Sandals Tan High Heels 6.5 Tan
$30.27
$9.99 SHIEKH
SHOPBOPSTAUD Wally High Heel Boots Tan 39.5
$595.00 SHOPBOP
CERQULARBOSS HUGO BOSS Womens Tan Leather Platform High Heel Sandals UK 5.5 Elegant
$51.99 CERQULAR
SHOEMALL.COMFree People Kiki Kitten Heel Boot Women's Tan Boot 7
$103.60 SHOEMALL.COM
SHOEMALL.COMCole Haan Josie Block Heel Sandal Women's Tan Sandal 10
$45.97 SHOEMALL.COM
J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Burkett Ankle Strap Sandal in Tan, Fabric, Size 7.5 M, 3.75 Inch Heel
$124.95 J RENEE
J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Garlynn Slingback Sandal in Tan, Fabric, Size 6 M, 2.75 Inch Heel
$139.95 J RENEE
CERQULARRUSSO Womens Leather Tan Brown Kitten Heel Court Shoes UK 6 Classic Stylish
$37.69 CERQULAR
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Kruise Block Heel Sandals - Tan - Size
$119.95 STEVE MADDEN
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Gervais Block Heel Sandals - Tan - Size
$129.95 STEVE MADDEN
VERONICA BEARDVeronica Beard Lisa Kitten-Heel Boot Hazelwood
$750.00 VERONICA BEARD
CERQULARBALLY Womens Vintage Lace Up Low Heel Suede Leather Shoes Taupe UK 3 Elegant
$49.39 CERQULAR
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Tracie Jelly Heel & Summer Bag Bundle
$147.95 STEVE MADDEN
CERQULARSCHATULLE Womens Green Synthetic Block Heel Shoes UK 6 Comfortable Stylish
$32.49 CERQULAR
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Scarlett Dress Heel with Arch Support in Tan Leopard Print Suede, Size
$165.00 ANINE BING
SHIEKHWomen Liya-1 Slouchy Heel Boots Tan Boots 10 Tan
$39.99 SHIEKH
CERQULARPACP GIL Womens Leather High Heel Court Shoes Tan UK 3 Stylish Elegant
$44.19 CERQULAR
SHIEKHWomen Mable-27 Square Toe High Heel Tan High Heels 9 Tan
$34.99 SHIEKH
FAMOUS FOOTWEARMuk Luks Women's Londyn Block Heel Booties (Dark Tan) - Size 10.0
$99.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
SHIEKHWomen Romania-01 Heel Thong Sandal Tan High Heels 10 Tan
$29.99 SHIEKH
SHIEKHWomen Romania-01 Heel Thong Sandal Smoke High Heels 5 Smoke
$29.99 SHIEKH
NINA SHOESWomens Billie Alamo Tan Suedette Mid-Heel Closed
$79.00 NINA SHOES
THREDUP (US)Heel Athens Casual Dress - Slip dress: Tan Dresses - Used
$32.99 THREDUP (US)
SHOEMALL.COMCole Haan Josie Block Heel Sandal Women's Tan Sandal 9
$56.97 SHOEMALL.COM
NINA SHOESWomens Nina60 Alamo Tan Suedette Mid-Heel Classic Pump
$99.00 NINA SHOES
CERQULARBALLY Womens Classic Low Heel Leather Black UK 6.5 Elegant Pumps
$49.39 CERQULAR
SAM EDELMANPresley Strappy Kitten Heel Sandal Sienna Tan Patent
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
SAM EDELMANAmie Kitten Heel Sandal Cyprus Tan Suede
$130.00 SAM EDELMAN
−89%
SHIEKHWomen 076 High Heel Dress Shoe Tan/Neon Orange Shoes 6 Tan/Neon Orange$45.36
$4.99 SHIEKH
−67%
SHIEKHWomen Susse-1 Toe Ring High Heel Tan High Heels 5.5 Tan$30.27
$9.99 SHIEKH
−67%
SHIEKHWomen Lasting-20 Low Heel Sandals Tan High Heels 6.5 Tan$30.27
$9.99 SHIEKH
−78%
NINA SHOESWomens Thelma Alamo Tan Suede Pointy-Toe Mid-Heel Classic Pump$90.86
$19.99 NINA SHOES
−85%
NINA SHOESWomens Sassie Alamo Tan Suedette Stiletto Block-Heel Platform Sandal$133.27
$19.99 NINA SHOES
−70%
NINA SHOESWomen's Suellen Tuscan Tan Suedette High-Heel Platform Sandal$99.97
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−66%
NINA SHOESWomens Barby Alamo Tan Suedette Crystal Block Mid-Heel Dressy Sandal$88.21
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−62%
NINA SHOESWomen's Neza Alamo Tan Suedette Mid-Heel Block Sandal$78.92
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−14%
SHIEKHWomen Katana-1 Pointed Heel Booties Tan Boots 6.5 Tan$37.20
$31.99 SHIEKH
−31%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Fylicia Block Heel Dress Sandals (Tan) - Size 10.0$75.35
$51.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−31%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Tailynn Wide Block Heel Pump Shoes (Tan) - Size 8.5 W$85.49
$58.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−31%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Tailynn Block Heel Pump Shoes (Tan) - Size 10.0$85.49
$58.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−26%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARAerosoles Women's Dove Medium/Wide Low Block Heel Sandals (Tan) - Size 10.0$79.72
$58.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Natural Tan Weave Fabric) Leather 9.5$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−18%
FAMOUS FOOTWEAREurosoft Women's Mercy Low Heel Casual Clog Shoes (Luggage Tan) - Size 6.5$80.46
$65.98 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−30%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Tessa Block Heel Ankle Boots (Tan Synthetic) - Size 10.0$99.99
$69.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−30%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Fayth Block Heel Slide Sandals (Tan) - Size 10.0$99.99
$69.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−27%
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Rae Block Heel Sandals - Tan Nubuck - Size$109.58
$79.99 STEVE MADDEN
−40%
ANN TAYLORAnn Taylor Straw Nip Toe Kitten Heel Pump$158.00
$94.80 ANN TAYLOR
−30%
SAM EDELMANPax Kitten Heel Thong Sandal Cyprus Tan Suede$139.99
$97.99 SAM EDELMAN
−39%
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Reyes Slingback Block Heel with Arch Support in Rugby Tan Suede, Size$163.92
$99.99 ANINE BING
−29%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer So-Sweet Strappy Sandals, Dune Tan Leather, 12.0M Open Toe, Platform Heel, Ankle Strap$147.87
$104.99 NATURALIZER
−10%
VERONICA BEARDVeronica Beard Rashida Woven Slingback Heel Chestnut$495.56
$446.00 VERONICA BEARD
