Fashion evolves constantly, and what was once trendy can quickly become outdated. Heels, in particular, go through style cycles that can leave your shoe collection looking like a time capsule. Ready to update your footwear game? Here are twenty heel trends that have had their moment but should now be retired from your wardrobe rotation.
1. Sky-High Platform Stilettos
Remember those towering platforms that made you feel like you were walking on stilts? The excessive height and chunky platform combo has lost its appeal in favor of more refined silhouettes.
Modern fashion embraces comfort alongside style, making these ankle-breakers increasingly obsolete.
2. Wedge Sneakers
The awkward marriage between athletic shoes and heels created this confusing hybrid that peaked around 2012. Neither sporty nor elegant, wedge sneakers solved a problem nobody had.
Fashion has moved toward authentic sneakers or proper heels rather than this uncomfortable in-between option.
3. Cork Platform Wedges
Those chunky cork platforms once dominated summer wardrobes with their beachy vibe. The exaggerated height and heavy appearance now look clunky and dated compared to today’s sleeker options.
Lighter espadrilles and refined wedges have taken their place in the summer shoe hierarchy.
4. Kitten Heel Flip-Flops
These bizarre hybrids attempted to elevate casual beach footwear with tiny, unstable heels. The result? An uncomfortable shoe that wasn’t suitable for sand or sophisticated settings.
Thankfully, fashion has separated these concepts: proper heeled sandals for elegance, flat flip-flops for casual wear.
5. Ultra Pointy Witch-Toe Pumps
Those excessively pointed toe pumps that extended inches beyond your actual toes have thankfully retreated. The cartoonishly elongated silhouette created an optical illusion that made feet look disproportionate.
Modern pointed toes maintain elegance without the exaggerated witch-like extension.
6. Chunky Square-Toe Block Heels
Those clunky, orthopedic-looking block heels with aggressively square toes dominated the late 90s and early 2000s. Their heavy, boxy appearance now reads more “office worker from 1998” than fashion-forward.
Today’s square-toe options have been refined with sleeker proportions and more elegant shapes.
7. Extreme Curved Comma Heels
Those dramatically curved heels shaped like commas or question marks were architectural statements that sacrificed stability for novelty. The precarious design made walking a constant challenge.
While creative heel shapes still exist, the extreme versions that defied physics have thankfully fallen from grace.
8. Furry Exterior Heels
Remember those fuzzy, fur-covered heels that collected dirt, debris, and curious stares? This impractical trend attempted to bring bedroom slipper comfort to formal footwear with disastrous results.
The maintenance nightmare and quick deterioration of the exterior fur made these a short-lived fashion experiment.
9. Chunky Rhinestone-Encrusted Party Heels
Those over-embellished platforms covered in glued-on rhinestones and glitter defined early 2000s nightclub fashion. The excessive bling created a gaudy effect that’s been replaced by more sophisticated sparkle.
Many stones inevitably fell off, leaving sad, patchy gaps in the once-glamorous exterior.
10. Chunky Wooden Platform Clogs
Those heavy wooden platform clogs that made you sound like a horse clip-clopping down hallways have lost their appeal. The chunky, orthopedic appearance and noisy walking experience make them difficult to incorporate into modern wardrobes.
Today’s clog interpretations feature refined proportions rather than exaggerated platforms.
11. Ultra-Thin Plastic Kitten Heels
Those flimsy plastic kitten heels popular in the early 2000s broke constantly and offered zero support. The cheap-looking material and fragile construction made these disposable rather than investment pieces.
Modern kitten heels feature quality materials and proper construction for both style and durability.
12. Bulky Heel Boots With Unnecessary Buckles
Those overdesigned boots featuring excessive non-functional buckles, straps, and hardware created visual chaos. The motorcycle-inspired footwear added unnecessary weight and caught on everything from pants to stairs.
Modern boot designs embrace cleaner lines with purposeful rather than decorative hardware.
13. Massive Platform Goth Boots
Those enormous platform goth boots with 5+ inch heights belonged more in costume parties than everyday wardrobes. The extreme elevation and chunky appearance created a cartoonish silhouette rather than edgy fashion statement.
Modern alternative styles incorporate platform elements more subtly and wearably.
14. Slouchy Fabric Boots With Stiletto Heels
Those saggy, slouchy fabric boots paired with pencil-thin heels created a visual contradiction that didn’t stand the test of time. The floppy upper material provided no structure or support.
The combination looked perpetually wrinkled and worn, even when brand new.
15. Jelly Heels With Glitter Embedded
Those transparent jelly heels with embedded glitter brought playground footwear into adult territory with uncomfortable results. The non-breathable plastic created sweaty, slippery situations while the glitter constantly shed.
The childish aesthetic failed to translate into sophisticated adult fashion despite multiple revival attempts.
16. Extreme Slingback Kitten Heels
Those barely-there slingbacks with pencil-thin kitten heels provided zero support and constantly slipped off at inopportune moments. The minimal design sacrificed function for a dainty appearance that proved impractical.
Modern slingbacks incorporate proper straps and support while maintaining elegance.
17. Split-Toe Tabi-Style Heels
Those avant-garde split-toe “camel toe” heels inspired by Japanese tabi socks created more confusion than fashion statements. The unusual divided toe design made finding proper hosiery impossible and drew unwanted attention.
While creative in concept, these divisive shoes rarely integrated well with everyday wardrobes.