Block heels are back, sexier and better!

Life is not a bed of roses, block heels are!

Hi guys! Come on in! 

A lot of people don’t wear heels anymore because of the strain and stress that comes with wearing one. Especially the very pointy stilettos. They would love to wear heels because it adds some sort of finesse to a person’s appearance, but then, they can’t. Probably because of an ugly experience that left them embarrassed, fear of not walking properly on heels, or maybe a leg injury.

If you have fallen off your heels once, twice or more and you are scared of wearing heels again because you think you might fall and break your neck? Then this post is for you. Do you feel you can only wear stilettos because other heels are too sturdy and you don’t feel pretty wearing them? This post is also for you.

Once upon a heel

In Nigeria, Long long after the 80s, most fashion pieces from then were considered vintage, and only a few people were comfortable wearing vintage outfits in the 21st century. Thanks to the magic of the internet and celebrity stylists, more and more vintage fashion pieces are beginning to take over the fashion world. Ranging from sling bags, peep-toe heels, vintage shirts, palazzos, baggy jeans, ripped jeans, flowing skirts, block heels, etc.

Well, the block heels took a longer acceptance period because they looked nothing close to fashionable. The regular owners of block heels in those days were Mummy G.Os, Choir mistresses, Headmistresses, School teachers, Sisters in the Lord, grannies, and nannies. I’m pretty sure the legendary “Madam Koi-Koi” belonged to this club.

Those were the days when you have to frown at the storekeeper for displaying that block heel that looked like it came from the Renaissance period. Moreso, when it has an expensive price tag and you go “WTF was this designer thinking when he made such an ugly design for this outrageous price?” ” I’m not gonna pay for this shit!”

I could remember seeing this particular block heel at a shop when I was 15. It looked so ugly and the color was just not it. I loved vintage from a very young age but I knew no one was going to buy that heel, ever!

Oh well, I saw the shop owner wearing the heels 2 years later. She got tired of displaying her ugly shoes. I mean, they became hers as soon as she made up her mind to buy those shoes, hoping to sell them to someone’s daughter/mother. Because no one would want to pay a dime for those shoes. They were UGLY!

Experiences like these, made most shoe lovers give up on the block heel, and with the advent of pointy heels, many people had no business buying block heels anymore, including me!

My sad pointy-heel experience

Well, I had a very ugly experience in 2014 that made me change my mind and retrace my steps. It was my matriculation and I went shopping with mum. I wanted to look sleek and classy forgetting comfort, so I picked this very pointy heel. It was about six inches or so, My mum warned me “Amaa pick this block heel nah… it’s more comfortable, this one you picked is too high, you’re tall already. You will break your legs ooo”, “but Mommy, this shoe is so old fashioned, can’t you see?! “It’s just there, no design, nothing! people will think I borrowed my mum’s shoes!” 

I squeezed my face and jutted my oversized lips so she could see the extent of my dissatisfaction. Being a fashion designer and all, I knew she knows better but I just didn’t want her to dim my light. As a Campus chic, I wanted to look as sophisticated as ever, and the block heels were nothing close to that- In my eyes. It was going to be my matric and not hers, so she let me have it my way.

Pride goes before a fall…

On that day, I dressed up and everyone praised my shoes. Yeah! that was what I wanted. Concerned citizens asked if I could walk well in them because they looked so high and pointy… “Yes! of course” “did I buy them for fancy?” Lies! those heels were really heavy, and they became heavier as I walked. The height of the heels made me kinda bend as I walked. I should have listened to my mum!

My legs were already wobbling before the Matric ceremony was over. I barely managed to stand for pictures. I didn’t come out with flipflops because I had it in mind to slay the living daylight out of those heels. After a few shots, I knew I couldn’t stand any longer. My legs were beginning to fail me. Everyone was busy with t pictures and celebrations so I decided to go to change at the hostel. You don’t want to imagine how I walked that day…

On my way back, my heel got hooked by the thread of a sack buried in the ground, My wobbly legs buckled and I tripped backwards. In my head, I wished to be the only one around so I could fall fast, get up, and dust myself before someone came along. What a wish! On a Matric day in UNN? LOL. Hey! don’t you dare laugh at me!

It wasn’t funny though. Luckily for me, a Knight in shining armour was right behind me when I tripped. He caught me right on time. My Saviour held my hands until I was strong enough to walk. I caught him stifling giggles but I didn’t care much. I knew I’d do worse if it were me. The strain on my legs and the embarrassment that came with the fall made it even harder for me to walk well. My legs were numb already. I pulled off my shoes and walked back to the hostel on barefoot, ” I can’t come and kill myself.”

As for the heels, they became a wardrobe monument. I never wore them again. They were there to remind me to always choose comfort over sophistication.

The comeback

Good news! I’m glad to tell y’all that the block heel was and still is, an undying fashion sensation. Probably because of the fact that most heels for kids and teens come in blocks or, the fact that most designers are fast embracing the block heels and making it more stylish and classy. The best part is because of the balance and comfort it promises just as Deborah of fabulousafter40.com calls it “height without hurt” unlike most contemporary pointy heels that would leave you with a sore foot at the end of a long day. 

The new block heel comes with a lot of giving this time, you’re free to call it Block heel 2.0 because they’re more comfortable, easy to wear and walk in, gives you the balance that you so desire, while you slay it all hot. They come in different colours and designs, giving you an array of options for different outfits. These heels are nothing like the mundane styles we usually leave for the older women, and nursing mothers to wear. No! Block heel 2.0 is for everyone who loves fashion and everything it stands for. 

Ways to rock your block heels

What is it you want to wear that these designers didn’t think of? Skirts, gowns, jeans, palazzos, culotte pants, shorts, suit pants, bikini? name it! The new block heels got you covered! Are you lost on ways to match your block heels with different outfits? Find your way in here! I’m not just here to tell you about these comfy sweethearts, I also came with all the juicy packages it has to offer. I’m that generous! And the good news is that you can match one block heel with several different outfits and still look peng. Awesome right? You’re welcome!

Skirt and blouse

You can match your block heels with a skirt, any skirt at all – ball skirts, pleated skirts, long maxi skirts, short skirts, skirt suits, high slit skirts, and any blouse of your choice and still look dope! Wear it confidently to anywhere – church, office, school, mall, even to the market! Feel free to walk as fast as you wish, jump buses, or run if possible. The block heel has your back unless you deserve to fall, and I’m sure you don’t.

Palazzo pants

“Osheyy!” You weren’t expecting to see my picture, yeah? It’s because I lead by example. Block heels are the new classy right now! And trust me, you can never go wrong on it, except you have a very sad fashion sense. Meanwhile, show me a better way to rock your Palazzo and Kimono jacket with a block heel, I’ll wait!

Gowns

“There’s no better way to wear a gown“, or maybe, its because the shoes are brown! But this outfit gives me joy. Feels great to see someone rock an outfit just the exact way you would have done, right? If you don’t have a block heel in your shoe closet, you’re definitely missing out.

Jeans

Block heels always go well with jeans- baggy jeans, high waisted jeans, boyfriend jeans, faded jeans, ripped jeans, any jeans at all! The best thing is, it adds this edgy feeling to your look and makes you walk with confidence. Do you wish to wear a heel on your jean attire that would make you look chic but not overdressed? call on the block heel.

For the best colour blends, you can pick a brown, black, nude, or red. They go with about any colour of blouse you wish to wear.

Bridals

I told y’all the new block heel came back with a lot of giving this time! Here is a sample for our brides-to-be and/or, bridesmaids who are worried about the strain and headache of having to wear heels for a really long time, posing for snapshots, and catching up with guests. Did I mention the different dance categories?

The block heel gives you that long-lasting comfort, you will only remember you’ve on heels when you want to take a shower. Believe me!

Join the trend

Now that I have managed to convince you about the goodness of the new block heel. It’s time for you to make that choice. They come in different heights too- low, medium and tall. You literally have no excuse as to why you won’t fall in love with a block heel. Except, of course, you love hiding behind a vehicle to change into your flipflops, then I will understand.

Which of the styles listed is your best? feel free to drop your thoughts and also tell us other ways to rock a block heel which I might have missed. I hope to see your comments.