If heels have always been and will always be your go-to shoe of choice, we admire you. There's an undeniable wave of confidence that comes with slipping into a power pump for any occasion. While that won't change throughout the years, trends come and go: new heel shapes are introduced, and there are always fresh ideas for styling your footwear. We came up with 25 important rules for wearing heels "the 2018 way." Taking all popular silhouettes into consideration, we're offering you the following advice this season, along with the hottest designs to shop.
Polish off your slouchy pants by bunching them up and tucking them into your sleek heeled boots.
Play with proportion and wear knee-high heeled boots with midi skirts. This trick will elongate your frame, especially when you stick to neutral tones that tend to "flow" into one another.
Pair open-toed heels with socks whenever you can to really make a statement on the street.
Kitten heels are one of 2018's most popular silhouettes, so draw attention to the pair you picked by coordinating your accessories around your footwear.
Thigh-high boots with a stiletto heel are the number one heel for making legs appear miles long. Lucky you, they're all over the place for 2018. Ground out your look by choosing a pair in a dark shade that will complement so many of the prints in your closet.
Don't second guess wearing your shiny shoes to the office if you've got a more laidback dress code. You'll look completely professional, and actually, completely confident, when you decide to pair your pencil skirt and modest blouse with something standout.
Just because there's a whole list of new heel trends to shop, doesn't mean you should retire the shoes you invested in that you know will always be classic. When in doubt (and wearing a flashier look), neutralize from the ground up with your Chanel slingbacks or classic Christian Louboutin pump.
The resurgence of polka dots doesn't only apply to clothes, but accessories too. Don't forget that a pair of heels, no matter how tall, command attention, so wear the patterns everyone's crazy about on your feet.
Look for buckled details when shopping for neutral colorways. This takes a classic pump to the next level this season, classifying your look as "very 2018."
Your embellished heels — whether they're adorned with pearls, gemstones, or sequins — should add a playful, girlie twist to your look. Shop an elegant mule in a simple color for something that'll go with everything from animal print pants to jeans and a tee.
If you're looking for something that adds just a bit of height to your outfit, trust a bootie to provide you with full coverage and support. When you're rocking a simple outfit like jeans and a blazer, there's no reason to feel as if you're pulling off a balancing act.
Mismatched heels, like this pair from Jacquemus (also worn on the red carpet by Emily Ratajkowski), are popping up everywhere. If you're the type of gal who likes to make a heel the focal point of her look, geometric pumps in bright colors are for you.
Any type of heel in cherry red suggests you want passersby to stop and stare. To really make your footwear pop, reveal a sliver of skin between the hemline of your pants or dress and the top of your shoe. This helps to break up your look and draw attention to the statement on your feet.
Glitter shoes are definitely in, but the options don't end there. Add dimension to your outfit by choosing a pair of satin heels or ones finished with furry details. This is a very easy way to get playful with your look.
Show big love for your favorite designers this season by shopping heels with prominent logos. Whether it's a fabric pump splashed with "Balenciaga" or YSL's branded stiletto, think of these as a team uniform — for your feet.
If you're trying to bring together a handful of boldly colored separates, make sure you own a shoe that can do the hard work for you. Stand tall in floral booties or rainbow stilettos that complement your entire palette all at once.
Dior's slingback is so popular for a reason. While there are so many bold options to choose from, the slingback is trustworthy based on design and fit alone. It's a supportive silhouette made for women on the go, so if a classic pump's not for you, you're in luck this year.
If you've yet to pick up a new anklet, why not try a wraparound pump with shimmering details that adds an ornamental touch to your outfit?
You wore your power suit before with your black power pump, but in 2018, trade that sophisticated shoe for something elegant and trend-focused.
The easiest way to construct an outfit that focuses on your heels is to pile on neutral, effortless layers and add eye-opening shoes that are one level shy of costume-like.
You shouldn't have to retire your trustworthy workwear staples, but you can easily jazz them up with the addition of a really fancy heel.
Try pairing your sophisticated heels with slitted pants that draw attention to your feet and elongate your legs.
Finish a baggy pant with a heeled sandal and your look will instantly be evening appropriate. Of course, the combination works for daytime too, if you're wearing a super simple tee up top.
When you finally invest in the perfect utilitarian jumpsuit, you can easily make it stand out with the addition of a heel. Chances are, your throw-on-and-go outfit will be neutral in color and super structured, so glamorize the effect with added height and electrifying color.
Try the unexpected combination of a t-shirt, blazer, cropped sweats, and heels, and you won't believe how chic you look and comfortable you feel all at once.