Block heel sandals are the one sandal style that absolutely earns its place. They provide you with height and a little bit of leg shape, without doing the ridiculous tightrope act that stilettos ask of you. A quality pair will stand up properly to cobbles, grass at a summer party, the edge of a platform when you’re sprinting for a train, and that immediately puts them streets ahead of twig-like alternatives. What elevates one from fine to truly great lies in the details: a heel with enough surface area that you’re not terrified of landing on your face, a footbed with actual cushioning rather than thin leather overlaying what’s essentially cardboard, and straps that secure your foot without digging sharply into the flesh by hour three. Cheap ones will look good in a photo, then start to fall apart at the toe strap or ankle buckle within one season. A quality pair age beautifully, scuffing to something fashionable rather than tired.
They’re also easy to style. In fact, that’s sort of the point. Pair them with a wide leg trouser and simple top to elevate them into something office-appropriate that doesn’t scream effort. Slip skirt, linen dress at the height of summer, bare legs. Done. They work brilliantly with tailoring; the heel adds structure without throwing the whole vibe into party/event territory, and they’re equally as good with jeans on a Saturday when you want to look like you made an effort without actually telling everyone that’s what you’ve done.
Being able to wear ankle socks with them during the transitional months is also a genuinely underrated hack, particularly if you opt for something with a chunkier sandal.
Think weddings on grass, drinks that turn into dinners that turn into even more drinks, long lunches that refuse to let you retire to your desk, anywhere that involves standing for longer than you want to. They’re the sandal you reach for when you want the leg-lengthening powers of a heel but with the ability to actually function like a human for eight or nine hours straight. Which is most days.
Top Picks
BLOCK HEEL SANDALLIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Eggnog Fabric) 7.5
$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
BLOCK HEEL SANDALFRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (White Multi Faux Raffia) 9.5 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
BLOCK HEEL SANDALNINA SHOESWomen's Neza Blue Multi Suedette Mid-Heel Block Sandal
$78.92
$29.99 NINA SHOES
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (Acorn Brown Leather) 8.0 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (Black Leather) 6.5 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
BANANA REPUBLICJudy Leather Block-Heel Sandal by Freda Salvador
$378.00 BANANA REPUBLIC
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Kaori Block Heel Slide Sandal (White Multi Faux Raffia) 9.5 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$140.00 FRANCO SARTO
CIRCUS NYFairmont Block Heel Mule Sandal
$60.00 CIRCUS NY
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Black Leather) 6.5 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Umber Brown Suede) 8.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
CIRCUS NYSummerfield Block Heel Sandal
$60.00 CIRCUS NY
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Caramel Brown Leather) 11.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
SAM EDELMANFarrin Block Heel Slide Sandal Linen Faux Raffia/Suede
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
SHOEMALL.COMCole Haan Josie Block Heel Sandal Women's Tan Sandal 9.5
$45.97 SHOEMALL.COM
SAM EDELMANSandy Block Heel Platform Sandal Amber Gold Leather
$165.00 SAM EDELMAN
SAM EDELMANDaniella Block Heel Sandal Black Leather
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
NINA SHOESWomens Stacie True Silver Metallic Suedette Block High-Heel Platform Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
NINA SHOESWomens Stacie Ivory Satin Block High-Heel Platform Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
SAM EDELMANFynn Block Heel Mule Sandal Modern Ivory Faux Raffia
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Kayla Block Heel Sandal (Linen White Fabric) 9.0 M Slip On Fit, Square Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Roux Block Heel Slide Sandal (Linen White Woven Raffia) 10.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$150.00 FRANCO SARTO
NINA SHOESWomens Ginette Silver Metallic Foil With Mesh Mid-Block Heel Sandal
$89.00 NINA SHOES
NINA SHOESWomen's Nigella Pearl Rose Satin Mid-Heel Block Sandal
$79.00 NINA SHOES
CIRCUS NYFaith Strappy Block Heel Sandal
$70.00 CIRCUS NY
SAM EDELMANDaniella Block Heel Sandal Bright White Leather
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
SAM EDELMANDaniella Block Heel Sandal Gold Metallic Leather
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
−80%
NINA SHOESWomens Nikolet Black Satin Crystal Block Mid-Heel Dressy Sandal$99.95
$19.99 NINA SHOES
−58%
NAUTICA.COMBlock Heel Sandal$59.50
$24.99 NAUTICA.COM
−70%
NINA SHOESWomens Haven New Navy Satin Crystal Ankle Strap Mid Block-Heel Evening Sandal$99.97
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−62%
NINA SHOESWomen's Neza Blue Multi Suedette Mid-Heel Block Sandal$78.92
$29.99 NINA SHOES
−82%
NATORIGlow Luxe Leopard Satin Block Heel Sandal$216.67
$39.00 NATORI
−82%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Summer Red / 8.5$216.67
$39.00 NATORI
−47%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandal Gold Faux Leather DRSCH 8.0$75.45
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−47%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandal Honey Brown Faux Leather DRSCH 7.5$75.45
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−47%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Makayla Block Heel Sandal Black Faux Leather DRSCH 7.0$75.45
$39.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−80%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Doe / 6.5$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−80%
NATORIGlow Chikayo Satin Block Heel Sandal - Black Multi / 5.5$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−80%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Citron / 7.5$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−80%
NATORIGlow Nappa Leather Block Heel Sandal - Black / 9.5$215.00
$43.00 NATORI
−41%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Eggnog Fabric) 7.5$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−38%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Creme Beige Faux Leather) 9.0 W$80.63
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−41%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Black Fabric) 7.5$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−41%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ella Block Heel Sandal (Fire Red Fabric) 9.0 W$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−58%
NINA SHOESWomens Angella Electric Blue Satin Crystal Block-Heel Platform Stiletto Sandal$119.02
$49.99 NINA SHOES
−38%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Ashland 2 Block Heel Sandal (White Faux Leather) 9.5$90.31
$55.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Black Faux Leather) 7.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Ice Blue Faux Leather) 10.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−20%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Weslee Slingback Block Heel Sandal Black Faux Leather DRSCH 7.0$74.99
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−20%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Weslee Slingback Block Heel Sandal Honey Brown Faux Leather DRSCH 8.5$74.99
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Rhythmn Block Heel Sandal (Platino Gold Faux Leather) 8.5 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−20%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Weslee Slingback Block Heel Sandal White Faux Leather DRSCH 10.0$74.99
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−60%
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Phoebe Block Heel Sandal, Black - 7.5$197.50
$79.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
−20%
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Loop Block Heel Sandal, pink$198.75
$159.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
