Block heel sandals are, in my opinion, the only sandal that actually deserves its place in your wardrobe. They give you height and some shaping to your leg, without requiring you to do the death-defying balancing act that stilettos demand. A good pair are also much more practical; they sit nicely on cobblestones, grass at a summer wedding, the front of a platform when you’re rushing to catch a train, and that’s before you’ve even considered how comfortable they are. What separates a nice pair from a great pair is in the details; a heel with enough surface area that you don’t feel like you’re going to break your neck falling over, a footbed that actually cushions your step rather than thin leather stretched over what basically feels like cardboard, and straps that hold your foot in place but aren’t stabbing into your skin by the third hour. Cheap ones may look great when you first buy them and pose for photos, but will start breaking at the toe strap or ankle buckle after a year. A good pair will age well, scuffing up to look cool rather than worn out.
They’re also easy to style. Like, really easy. Sure, that’s sort of the point. Team them with a wide leg trouser and fuss-free top to dress them up into something work-appropriate that doesn’t look like you’ve tried too hard. Pair with a skirt, linen dress at the peak of summer, naked legs. Finished. They look great with tailoring; the heel provides shape without putting the whole ensemble into party/event territory, but they’re just as good thrown over jeans on a Saturday when you want to look like you’ve made an effort, but without telling everyone that’s exactly what you’ve done.
Bonus points if you can wear ankle socks with them during Autumn/Spring. It’s honestly one of the best fashion hacks out there, especially if you go for a sandal with a slightly bigger/heavier heel.
Weddings with loads of outdoor dancing, summer cocktails that turn into meals that turn into cocktails about three courses too many, long lunches that expect you to sit Sans Repose rather than making a défilé back to your desk, anywhere you know you’ll be standing for longer than you’d like. They’re your go-to when you want the leg-lengthening magic of a heel with the ability to actually move like a normal human being for eight, nine hours. Which is pretty much every day.
Top Picks
BLOCK HEEL SANDALLIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Eggnog Fabric) 7.5
$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
BLOCK HEEL SANDALFRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (White Multi Faux Raffia) 9.5 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
BLOCK HEEL SANDALNINA SHOESWomen's Neza Blue Multi Suedette Mid-Heel Block Sandal
$78.92
$29.99 NINA SHOES
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (Acorn Brown Leather) 8.0 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (Black Leather) 6.5 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
BANANA REPUBLICJudy Leather Block-Heel Sandal by Freda Salvador
$378.00 BANANA REPUBLIC
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (White Multi Faux Raffia) 9.5 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
CIRCUS NYFairmont Block Heel Mule Sandal
$60.00 CIRCUS NY
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Black Leather) 6.5 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Umber Brown Suede) 8.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
CIRCUS NYSummerfield Block Heel Sandal
$60.00 CIRCUS NY
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Caramel Brown Leather) 11.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
SAM EDELMANFarrin Block Heel Slide Sandal Linen Faux Raffia/Suede
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
SHOEMALL.COMCole Haan Josie Block Heel Sandal Women's Tan Sandal 9.5
$45.97 SHOEMALL.COM
SAM EDELMANSandy Block Heel Platform Sandal Amber Gold Leather
$165.00 SAM EDELMAN
SAM EDELMANDaniella Block Heel Sandal Black Leather
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
NINA SHOESWomens Stacie True Silver Metallic Suedette Block High-Heel Platform Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
NINA SHOESWomens Stacie Ivory Satin Block High-Heel Platform Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
SAM EDELMANFynn Block Heel Mule Sandal Modern Ivory Faux Raffia
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Kayla Block Heel Sandal (Linen White Fabric) 9.0 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Linen White Woven Raffia) 10.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
NINA SHOESWomens Ginette Silver Metallic Foil With Mesh Mid-Block Heel Sandal
$89.00 NINA SHOES
NINA SHOESWomen's Nigella Pearl Rose Satin Mid-Heel Block Sandal
$79.00 NINA SHOES
CIRCUS NYFaith Strappy Block Heel Sandal
$70.00 CIRCUS NY
SAM EDELMANDaniella Block Heel Sandal Bright White Leather
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
SAM EDELMANDaniella Block Heel Sandal Gold Metallic Leather
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
−80%
NINA SHOESWomens Nikolet Black Satin Crystal Block Mid-Heel Dressy Sandal$99.95
$19.99 NINA SHOES
−58%
NAUTICA.COMBlock Heel Sandal$59.50
$24.99 NAUTICA.COM
−70%
NINA SHOESWomens Haven New Navy Satin Crystal Ankle Strap Mid Block-Heel Evening Sandal$99.97
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−62%
NINA SHOESWomen's Neza Blue Multi Suedette Mid-Heel Block Sandal$78.92
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−82%
NATORIGlow Luxe Leopard Satin Block Heel Sandal$216.67
$39.00 NATORI
−82%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Summer Red / 8.5$216.67
$39.00 NATORI
−47%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandal Gold Faux Leather DRSCH 8.0$75.45
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−47%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandal Honey Brown Faux Leather DRSCH 7.5$75.45
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−47%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandal Black Faux Leather DRSCH 7.0$75.45
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−80%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Doe / 6.5$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−80%
NATORIGlow Chikayo Satin Block Heel Sandal - Black Multi / 5.5$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−80%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Citron / 7.5$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−80%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Black / 9.5$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−41%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Eggnog Fabric) 7.5$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−38%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Creme Beige Faux Leather) 9.0 W$80.63
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−41%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Black Fabric) 7.5$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−41%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Fire Red Fabric) 9.0 W$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−58%
NINA SHOESWomens Angella Electric Blue Satin Crystal Block-Heel Platform Stiletto Sandal$119.02
$49.99 NINA SHOES
−38%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ashland 2 Block Heel Sandal (White Faux Leather) 9.5$90.31
$55.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Black Faux Leather) 7.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Ice Blue Faux Leather) 10.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−20%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Weslee Slingback Block Heel Sandal Black Faux Leather DRSCH 7.0$74.99
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−20%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Weslee Slingback Block Heel Sandal Honey Brown Faux Leather DRSCH 8.5$74.99
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Platino Gold Faux Leather) 8.5 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−20%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Weslee Slingback Block Heel Sandal White Faux Leather DRSCH 10.0$74.99
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−60%
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Phoebe Block Heel Sandal, Black - 7.5$197.50
$79.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
−20%
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Loop Block Heel Sandal, pink$198.75
$159.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
