For three years I thought date night meant wearing stilettos. Everyone else seemed to be hobbling about in them and trust me and these blister plasters I’m holding, that was dumb rule you should believe. Block heels are LIFE friends, I will bang my heels till I’m-old. There’s something about wearing a nice block heel that makes you feel like your evening is thought about, not just something you’re braving. You can saunter into restaurants, up stoned side streets, down waterfall flights of shaky basement bar steps and still have a conversation that doesn’t revolve around white knuckling someone’s hand.
They’re also not that difficult to find. A good one at least. Height is obviously fabulous for your leg, but the block does all the heavy lifting when it comes to being wide enough to feel like you’re not going to topple over on tip toes. Comfort is key, you need enough surface area on your foot to feel secure and not just tall because it’s trendy.
I also like my heel to have a little waist to it, a small curve. A heel that is essentially just a wooden block doesn’t scream date night, it screams sensible shoe.
Finish is everything guys, don’t come at me with flat patent nonsense. A subtle gloss leather or a good suede can really elevate your shoe. Higher end materials reflect light in a way that flat materials don’t and your shoe goes from looking thrown together to dressed.
Speaking of dressing them up, block heels are way more versatile than they’re usually credited for when it comes to styling. Tuck that bad boy into a wide leg trouser and let it peek out just over your ankle. It’s such a cute partial shoe look and perfect for a first date when you want to look like you made an effort but still have the ability to move like a normal person. They’re equally as cute peeking under a slip skirt or a simple dress. Ankle straps are extra nice because there’s something about a heel with a strap rubbing against your bare skin that screams put together without trying too hard. I’d probably stay away from busy prints when styling with block heels, let the shoe be your statement piece at the bottom and keep the rest simple.
Date night, day dates in block heels. Things to do when wearing block heels: Dinner Dates. Fancy coffee shops. Romantic cocktails. Walks in the park. Go on any date that will actually have you moving around. Dates with places to go, that start at a bar and could end up anywhere. Nights when you don’t want to carefully plan where you step but also will most likely still be wearing them when you get home. Comfortable enough that you won’t be distracted by how your feet feel when your server gets up during the second course but still sleek enough that no one would assume that was your game plan.
Top Picks
BLOCK HEELFRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Umber Brown Suede) 8.5 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
BLOCK HEELFRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Linen White Woven Raffia) 8.5 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
BLOCK HEELNINA SHOESWomens Ganice Silver Mesh Block Low-Heel Hook & Loop Dressy Sandal
$89.00 NINA SHOES
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Kayla Block Heel Sandal (Brown Fabric) 5.5 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) 6.5 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
W CONCEPT (US)Square To Enamel Block Heel Pumps (7 cm)
$121.00 W CONCEPT (US)
NINA SHOESWomens Stacie Ivory Satin Block High-Heel Platform Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
FAMOUS FOOTWEARAerosoles Women's Chrystie Block Heel Platform Sandals (Black) - Size 10.0
$124.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
THE LUXURY CLOSETTod's Two Tone Beige Leather and Patent Block Heel Pumps
$193.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
FLORALKINICroc Platform Square Toe Statement Block Heel Ankle Boots - US 11/EU
$71.99 FLORALKINI
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Caro Block Heel Booties - Brown Distressed - Size
$169.95 STEVE MADDEN
SHOEBACCACOCONUTS by Matisse Britt Block Heel Sandals
$84.95 SHOEBACCA
FLORALKINIFaux Leather Double Platform Block Heel Thigh High Boots - Black/Red/Nude/Brown - US 3/EU 34 / Red
$63.99 FLORALKINI
SAM EDELMANFynn Block Heel Mule Sandal Modern Ivory Faux Raffia
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAMRhinestone Open Toe Block Heel Sandals
$39.96 UNIQUE KULTURE AFFILIATE PROGRAM
FLORALKINIMetallic Gold Knotted Detail Statement Platform Block Heel - US 4/EU
$36.99 FLORALKINI
THE LUXURY CLOSETNicholas Kirkwood White/Black Suede Pointed Toe Block Heel Pumps
$111.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
CERQULARCHLOE Womens Brown & White Block Heel Pumps Synthetic UK 5 Classic Stylish
$84.49 CERQULAR
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
FLORALKINISatin Diamante Bow Pointed Toe Platform Flared Block Heel - Black - US 5/EU
$49.99 FLORALKINI
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (White Multi Faux Raffia) 7.0 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
NINA SHOESWomens Ganice Silver Mesh Block Low-Heel Hook & Loop Dressy Sandal
$89.00 NINA SHOES
FLORALKINIBuckle Detail Platform High Block Heel Mid Calf Boots - US 9/EU
$82.99 FLORALKINI
THE LUXURY CLOSETGucci Grey Suede Vernice Block Heel Ankle Booties
$369.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
FLORALKINIFaux Fur Mid-Calf Block Heel Boots - US 9/EU
$96.99 FLORALKINI
SHOPBOPLoeffler Randall Elise Slim Ankle Booties with Block Heel Tmoro 7.5
$450.00 SHOPBOP
FLORALKINIMetallic Faux Leather Double Platform Block Heel Thigh High Boots - Hot Pink - US 11/EU
$88.99 FLORALKINI
FLORALKINICrystal-Embellished Knotted Block-Heel Sandals - US 7/EU
$40.99 FLORALKINI
SHOEBACCABEACH by Matisse Birdie Block Heel Sandals
$59.95 SHOEBACCA
−70%
SHIEKHWomen Moody-06 Block Heel Boots Black Suede Boots 8.5 Black Suede$49.97
$14.99 SHIEKH
−85%
NINA SHOESWomens Sassie Alamo Tan Suedette Stiletto Block-Heel Platform Sandal$133.27
$19.99 NINA SHOES
−70%
NINA SHOESWomens Haven Silver Crystal Ankle Strap Mid Block-Heel Evening Sandal$99.97
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−30%
MAURICESMaurices Women's Supercush Lana Block Heel Boot$44.99
$31.49 MAURICES
−82%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Summer Red / 6.5$216.67
$39.00 NATORI
−47%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandal Gold Faux Leather DRSCH 7.5$75.45
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−80%
NATORIGlow Chikayo Satin Block Heel Sandal$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−78%
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Winnick Block Heel Boots - Banana - Size$227.23
$49.99 STEVE MADDEN
−38%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ashland 2 Block Heel Sandal (White Faux Leather) 8.0$90.31
$55.99 LIFESTRIDE
−31%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Lennie Block Heel Ankle Boots (Rose) - Size 11.0$85.49
$58.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Black Faux Leather) 6.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−20%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Weslee Slingback Block Heel Sandal Black Faux Leather DRSCH 7.5$74.99
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Natural Tan Weave Fabric) Leather 6.0$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−27%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Evangeline Wide Block Heel Pump Shoes (Patent/Navy) - Size 12.0 W$86.29
$62.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−19%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARMuk Luks Women's Yellowstone Yardley Block Heel Ankle Booties (Black) - Size 10.0$80.23
$64.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−19%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARPatrizia Women's Dade-Woven Block Heel Dress Sandals (Black) - Size 35.0$80.23
$64.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−29%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARJournee Women's Evangeline Block Heel Pump Shoes (Black Patent) - Size 10.0$94.35
$66.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−38%
SHIEKHWomen Buckle Block Heel Boot Black Boots 8.5 Black$109.66
$67.99 SHIEKH
−25%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARLifestride Women's Audra Block Heel Sandals (Black Fabric) - Size 10.0$99.99
$74.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−52%
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Isadora Block Heel Slingback Boots (Saddle Brown Suede) 6.0 M Square Toe, Buckle Closure$166.63
$79.98 FRANCO SARTO
−52%
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Franco Isadora Block Heel Slingback Boots (Truffle Brown Leather) 10.0 M Square Toe, Buckle Closure$166.63
$79.98 FRANCO SARTO
−44%
STEVE MADDENSteve Madden Women's Tuff Block Heel Booties - Taupe - Size$160.70
$89.99 STEVE MADDEN
−35%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARVionic Women's Nora Strappy Block Heel Sandals (Heathered Black Suede) - Size 9.0 W$155.37
$100.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−20%
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Loop Block Heel Sandal, pink$198.75
$159.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
[…] for Tuesday morning cross-functional team meetings. With a sexy slip dress and your arms bare on date night. Something this substantial can replace a lighter necklace or beaded bracelet on days when you just […]