The 90s block heel has returned. Shop our favorites from Tory Burch, Loeffler Randall, Repetto and more.
Some might say it’s the residual CBK effect. But I think people just want to be able to walk down the street without being one misstep away from rolling an ankle.
That, and Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel of course—the designer’s colorful riffs on the house’s classic block heeled slingbacks and pumps were at the top of every editor’s wishlist. So while the cute little kitten heel will never fall out of favor, her practical older sister, the block heel, is back in a big way. Only she’s less clunky this time.
“Designers are really playing with fabrication, like incorporating new textures and introducing more refined finishes that make them feel less casual than previous iterations,” says Shopbop’s senior fashion director, Caroline Maguire. “If you think back to their last big moment in the late 2010s, block heels leaned a bit more chunky, often paired with platforms, heavier hardware, or suede. This time around, the shapes and proportions feel much more streamlined and intentional, giving it a refreshed, modern edge.
”While stilettos and kitten heels can read more formal, Chanel’s deer-spotted lambskin pumps feel like they can go either way, looking just as good with a baby V-neck tee and jeans as they do with a lace-trimmed nightie and layered necklaces. Aesthetics aside, block heels are an inherently comfortable choice, distributing weight evenly across the ball and heel of the foot.
“There's no more comfortable heel than a block heel—at walkable heights, they offer stability and support that can be truly wearable all day long,” says Margaux cofounder Sarah Pierson. “And when executed thoughtfully, with interesting angles or shapes, they can add statement sensibility, too. ”Margaux’s Cleo sandal, a simple yet elegant heel available in nappa leather and satin in soft pastel hues, remains one of the brand’s bestsellers following its release in early 2025.
“Since launch, demand for the style has remained consistently strong, perhaps suggesting that the appeal of a do-it-all heel predates the current trend” says Pierson. Sure, you can commute in a sneaker or a flat, but the right block heels can easily power through an eight hour workday and adds a bit more glamour to the affair.
“I think block heels are tapping into this trending retro-cool aesthetic, while also tying back to a larger shift toward comfort and ease in how we’re getting dressed,” says Maguire. “ They give you height and structure, but with practicality that makes them easy to incorporate into your spring/summer wardrobes. ”Some of our favorite brands, from Tory Burch to Parisian-based shoe brand Nomasei, have released block heels that prove just how far the silhouette has come.
Eye-catching hues—like cool gold tones, punchy pinks, and bright whites—and tempting textures, including snake-embossed leathers and silky satin, look good with a pronounced heel that you won’t want to fling off the moment you enter the door.
“There's a certain cool in being completely comfortable,” says Pierson. “And that's where the block heel comes in. ”
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