Best High Heels: From Stilettos to Platforms, Shop The Edit

High heels

published 24 August 2017

#ShoesFirst: The heel (from stiletto to block) is making a steady comeback.

Though our love affair with the best flat shoes shows no sign of abating, now we're on the hunt for the best high heels. Yep, we've fallen back in love with stilettos, platforms and all manner of vertiginous sky-scrapers; the high the better. frankly.

The benefits of high heels have been broadly documented: they create the elusion of longer legs and add polish to all outfits. While we were grateful for the fashion-endorsed hero-status of the flat in recent seasons (from fur-filled Gucci loafers, to Phoebe Philo’s favourite Stan Smiths) skyscrapers will never lose their appeal. And if you need a bit of help, here are five exercises that'll make walking in heels a lot easier.

From fun pom pom details, to avant-garde architectural styles – high heels have had a high fashion makeover. The key trends this season take their cues from the catwalk: look out for metallics, sequins, 70s style platforms and bold reds.

Office and New Look have given their new collection a sexy edge with colourful details and satin ribbons, while H&M and Bally are embracing the 70s with their crushed velvet and metallic haze platforms.

Meanwhile, Christian Louboutin, Prada, Jimmy Choo and ASOS have jazzed up their new season styles with sequins, bows and pom poms just in time for Christmas party dresses season. The embellished sandals are destined for the dance floor. Topshop's got your fancy footwork sorted with some fantastic metallic kicks - here's hoping they'll star in the tidal wave of Topshop Black Friday deals coming up.

Of course, classic courts will never go out of style. Look to L.K.Bennett, Cos and Russell and Bromley for favourite for their flattering but comfortable attributes. Marks and Sparks takes the simple silhouette for a spin by updating it in steely velvet - though we're sure there will be more to adore in 2017's M&S Black Friday sale. Keep a pair of these trusty heels under your desk for any surprise meetings or impromptu after-work drinks.

Whether you're after a pretty court shoe to jazz up your office style or jazzy heels for your next night out, from pretty pom pom details to luxed up velvet finishes, these are the best high heels in store now...

PRADA Feather-trimmed satin sandals

The most coveted sandals of Fashion Week have finally landed.

Shop now: PRADA Feather-trimmed satin sandals for £735 from Net-A-Porter

MIU MIU Faux pearl-embellished patent-leather and tartan tweed sandals

Tartan is back for the new season, and these will look incredible with a black velvet suit.

Shop now: MIU MIU Faux pearl-embellished patent-leather and tartan tweed sandals for £580 from Net-A-Porter

BLACK LOW POINT SLING BACK COURT

China prints are having a bit of a moment, and we love these elegant courts from Primark. BLACK LOW POINT SLING BACK COURT, £12 in store.

NAZIA Leather Cone Heel Sandals

If you’re feeling bold, try wearing these with a white suit.

Shop now: NAZIA Leather Cone Heel Sandals for £65 from Topshop

Strappy Open Toe Sandal, £49, CHARLES & KEITH

Wide Fit Navy Satin Ankle Tie Heels

With a chic satin ribbon these boots are the perfect day-to-night heels.

Shop now: Wide Fit Navy Satin Ankle Tie Heels for £25.99 from New Look

GUCCI Knotted floral-print leather sandals

Embrace your inner romantic with these floral shoes.

Shop now: GUCCI Knotted floral-print leather sandals for £640 from Net-A-Porter

Signature Point Court Shoes

We’ll never get bored of leopard print heels.

Shop now: Signature Point Court Shoes for £58 from Next

PRADA Bow-embellished suede mules

Mules are perfect for the office, and for Autumn/Winter, velvet is the fabric of choice.

Shop now: PRADA Bow-embellished suede mules for £510 from Net-A-Porter

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Tsarou 85 veau velours

If you thought black velvet shoes were boring, think again.

Shop now: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Tsarou 85 veau velours for £675 from Selfridges

POLKA DOT HIGH HEEL COURT SHOES

Sick of florals? Polka dots are the print du jour.

Shop now: POLKA DOT HIGH HEEL COURT SHOES for £49.99 from ZARA

Platform sandals

If you’re feeling daring, go head-to-toe velvet and team these platforms with a velvet dress for your next evening event.

Shop now: Platform sandals for £24.99 from H&M

Kate Spade Watson heels

We’re obsessed with embroidered details.

Shop now: Kate Spade Watson heels for £211 from Kate Spade

Embroidered shoes

Take florals into winter with the brocade pumps.

Shop now: Embroidered shoes for £49.99 from Mango

FLORET BLACK LACE CLOSED COURTS

Sometimes great style is as simple as a paired back lace pump.

Shop now: FLORET BLACK LACE CLOSED COURTS for £195 from L.K.Bennett

SAINT LAURENT Opyum patent-leather pumps

An iconic shoe to zip around the office in.

Shop now: SAINT LAURENT Opyum patent-leather pumps for £770 from Net-A-Porter

Hierarchy T Bar Point Courts

Make like Carrie Bradshaw in these decadent heels.

Shop now: Hierarchy T Bar Point Courts for £68 from Office

SOPHIA WEBSTER Juno tassel-embellished leather sandals

Don’t ditch those summer vibes just yet – these tassel sandals will still look great with your autumn workwear.

Shop now: SOPHIA WEBSTER Juno tassel-embellished leather sandals for £450 from MATCHESFASHION.COM

Francis heeled sandals

Wear with denim culottes and an oversized blouse.

Shop now: Francis heeled sandals for £139 from Aeyde

TIE-BACK SUEDE SANDALS

These chic sandals beg to be worn with a crisp white shirt and suede culottes.

Shop now: TIE-BACK SUEDE SANDALS for £135 from COS

Denim sandals

This is without a doubt the chicest way to do denim.

Shop now: Denim sandals for £680 from Chanel

WOMEN'S LAMB LEATHER SLINGBACK PUMP IN METAL

These 70s-style, colourful heels are ideal for a big night.

Shop now: WOMEN'S LAMB LEATHER SLINGBACK PUMP IN METAL for £650 from BALLY

High Venezia Sandals

No summer wardrobe is complete without a coral sandal.

Shop now: High Venezia Sandals for £125 from Sézane

VIVACIOUS Bow Trim Court

A good bow goes a long way. Toughen these up by wearing with frayed denim and a men’s shirt.

Shop now: VIVACIOUS Bow Trim Court for £175 from Russell & Bromley

ASOS HAPPY FRUIT Heeled Sandals

Add these fun sandals to your holiday capsule wardrobe, stat.

Shop now: ASOS HAPPY FRUIT Heeled Sandals for £48 from ASOS

Geox Audalie heels

Not only are these heels stylish enough to wear in the office, they’re extra comfortable too.

Shop now: Geox Audalie heels for £110 from Geox

Slingback in black patent

These shoes were the hero of the Dior catwalk, and rightfully so.

Shop now: Slingback in black patent for £650 from Dior

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Colline metallic-leather sandals

Paired back heels are a wardrobe staple, versatile enough to be worn with a dress or a simple jeans and tee combo.

Shop now: GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI Colline metallic-leather sandals for £570 from Selfridges

NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD Lola faux-pearl embellished pumps

Elegant and just a little bit quirky.

Shop now: NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD Lola faux-pearl embellished pumps for £545 from Farfetch

Vivian Sandals

Meet your new dancing shoes.

Shop now: Vivian Sandals for £510 from TIBI

Block Heel Ankle Strap Court Shoes

Tap into this season’s crushed velvet trend.

Shop now: Block Heel Ankle Strap Court Shoes for £29.50 from M&S

JIMMY CHOO Myla crystal-embellished satin mules

Wear these with a cropped trouser and oversized top.

Shop now: JIMMY CHOO Myla crystal-embellished satin mules for £650 from MATCHESFASHION>COM

Future Tie Up Heel In Yellow Faux Suede

A pop of colour will never hurt anyone.

Shop now: Future Tie Up Heel In Yellow Faux Suede for £29.99 from EGO

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.