Women's High Heels / Stilettos

High-heel pumps

What woman could ever resist stilettos? High-heel pumps have been a symbol of femininity for years. At the same time, they are one of the most popular types of women’s footwear. Marylin Monroe used to say: “I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot”. A dress, a pair of formal trousers, a pewter skirt, or an evening gown – women’s pumps assert the character of almost any outfit while emphasising the assets of the feminine silhouette. The name “stilettos” appeared in the 1950s. From then one, it hasn’t gone out of style for a second. How many pairs of pumps have you got? Surely not more than enough – there’s no such thing as too many high heels!

High-heel pumps – the history

Women’s high heels made their debut at the court of King Louis XIV. The king was an avid enthusiast of high heels and for some time, it was the only type of footwear accepted at the court. For the most part, high heels were an attribute of men’s footwear. They brought to mind exceptional events – high-heel pumps were donned by Catherine de Medici on the day of her wedding with Henry de Valois in 1533. It’s at this time that high heels started to serve an aesthetic and not only a practical purpose.

Alas, the popularity of pumps in France abated after the revolution, only to make a brilliant comeback in the late 19^th century with the opening of the first stiletto factory in the United States. Soon after, in 1947, Christian Dior created his unforgettable outfit comprising a jacket, a skirt, a hat, and a pair of stilettos. That ensemble made Dior the pioneer in the domain of women’s stilettos. Coco Chanel, the fashion icon, also played a part by creating square-toed and middle-height heels in 1920. Year after year, the heels grew higher, and now nobody will blink an eye at stilettos more than ten centimetres high, donned on special occasions.

What are high-heel pumps?

Pumps are a popular name for women’s shoes with a characteristic round-cut vamp. On average, the heel height is 5–7 cm – higher heels are a feature of women’s stilettos. High-heel pumps are considered timeless. The category includes all high-heeled shoes which cover the toes, the heel, and the sides.

High-heel pumps at Apia.pl

High-heel pumps available at Apia.pl are luxury footwear which combines an exceptional style, top-of-the-line craftsmanship, and maximum comfort. Many people assume that wearing women’s stilettos has to hurt. At Apia.pl, we debunk this myth once and for all! The comfort depends chiefly on the cut and the fabric of the given model. Original shoes made of real leather, hand-stitched by a veteran shoemaker, are comfortable even if they happen to have killer heels.

Apia.pl offers not only hand-stitched stilettos but also models made for women preferring flat shoes on a comfortable platform. These suede designs are available in a wide colour palette, so you can easily find a pair of brand shoes that fit your wardrobe. Women’s pumps may also have chunky heels which ensure greater balance. These models will come in handy in autumn and winter – when the weather conditions are far from ideal, you need maximum stability and an on-point look at the same time. Needless to say, our selection includes also models for those who love classic stilettos. Luxury high heels manufactured by Apia are guaranteed to bring out your femininity and exceptional style.

What goes with high-heel pumps for women?

With a pair of women’s stilettos, you have almost unlimited options to create unique outfits for all occasions. First of all, they pair perfectly with dresses. Women’s shoes equipped with high heels emphasise slender calves while making your legs look longer, and your entire body – slimmer. They match sheath dresses and oversize casual designs alike. High-heel pumps for women are also an officewear staple.

Aptly selected high heels will add an edge to the combination of a pewter skirt, a smart shirt, and a trendy toned-down jacket. These shoes shine also with a women’s suit or the 7/8 dress trousers. In this version, low-cut pumps expose the ankle, bringing an air of lightness and airiness to the entire ensemble. In the evening variant, you may also team women’s stilettos with shorts. It’s an interesting party option, especially when topped off with a shiny top and some original accessories, such as unconventional jewellery.

Women’s stilettos styled with shorts are the ultimate way to make your legs look longer and slimmer. Fans of lower heel will love women’s pumps on wedges, which offer not only comfort but also exciting design. Such pumps go with canvas chinos and a casual cotton blouse with a trendy print, adding up to a universal outfit for a day at work or a meeting with friends.       

How to choose the right stilettos for your body type?

High-heel women’s pumps may make you look slimmer. However, the wrong pair will have the opposite effect. The first decision to make is the heel length. The optimum heel height believed to offer the best comfort ranges from 6 to 9 cm. Bear in mind your own height as well. Contrary to what you might think, shorter women don’t always look good in high luxury stilettos. This type of footwear may make the body look shorter, or even cartoonish.

If you have long legs, any women’s stilettos will hit the spot. But what about the stiletto heel itself? How thick should it really be? Slim heels go with slim body types. If you’re strong-built, choose brand hand-stitched shoes on a broader heel or a wedge, as they will even out body proportions. You can also go for wedges that are taller at the back. It’s an option that delivers on both comfort and originality, flattering virtually all silhouettes and pairing perfectly with office and casual outfits alike, all year round.

What about the toe shape?

Apia.pl offers high-heel women’s pumps with round, almond, and pointed toes. If you have short stature and small feet, try out women’s pumps with a pointy toe to make the feet look slimmer. Women with longer feet will appreciate stilettos with a square or rounded toe. And a fail-safe version for everybody? High-heel women’s pumps with an almond toe. They’re the most universal variant and the most popular choice among women.

What else is there to know about women’s stilettos?

Do you know that the tallest high-heel women’s pumps designed to date were 31 cm tall? The record-breaking women’s stilettos were created by a Romanian designer called Mihai Albu. Despite the limited practical value and a rather steep price of 1500 dollars, all models sold like hotcakes. Soon after James Syiemiong from India managed to beat that record by creating high-heel women’s pumps that were 51 cm tall.

Luxury stilettos for women

Some records are not about the dimensions. The most expensive women’s stilettos designed by Jada Dubai in collaboration with a jewellery company were worth 62 million dollars. These luxury shoes were studded with 236 diamonds, two of which weighed 15 carats. Speaking of luxury shoes, one cannot forget Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” on the feet of Judy Garland, the music icon. For many years, the historical model was kept by a museum in Minnesota. Yet, it fell prey to thieves and has never been found. These luxury shoes are worth around 3 million dollars. The prize for contributing to the search was set at 1 million dollars, awarded by an anonymous donor.