SleekHeels Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Which heel shape of stiletto do you prefer - a totally round O-shape, or a flat-front U-shape? (Examples attached if you're thinking "what?!?!?") If you like it, wear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benno Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I like both equally. It also depends on the rest of the shoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhboots Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Well, this is a very minor shoe detail in my mind, I have no preference as long as it flows well with the rest of the shoe design, either heel type is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Can't answer this but as round heel profiles tend to be rarer I would rate them as more special, maybe sleeker/sexier? Having said that I nearly bought a pair today <6" but was looking for a loafer style, of which I found . the "<6"ers" was a little bland, didn't quite have the edge but would have been bought if I had not found what I wanted. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevey2 Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Hi I like the flat front U shape best I have a round high heel pair of boots and they do not look as good as another pair with flat front U heels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histiletto Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 The "U" or horseshoe influenced heel tip is the traditionally used shape, which I expect came into being when heels were first attached to shoes to keep the rider's feet in the stirrups while riding horses. The sole of the shoe was extended and applied to the heel to help keep the heel in place and to protect the underside of the heels, thus the flat area on the front of spikes and stilettos. Now that high heels are not really associated with horse riding much anymore, other shaped heels have become fashionable. It probably doesn't really make any difference as to which heel shape is preferred, but I guess the horseshoe influence would be my preference should there be a choice. However, like others have said, it depends on the total look of the footwear with all the other specifications being the same and my mood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hh4evr1 Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 I like them both the same. Most are the flat-front style, but it is probably because most manufacturers use that style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoyLegs Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Well, this is a very minor shoe detail in my mind, I have no preference as long as it flows well with the rest of the shoe design, either heel type is fine. Seconded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleekHeels Posted March 5, 2011 Author Share Posted March 5, 2011 Thanks for the responses and comments. Reflecting on that I think I'm concluding that I used to be a lot more obsessive on minor details like that. I'd often either make a bad purchase because I was blinded by a detail I really liked, or miss out on a really great pair of shoes because some little detail put me off. The round heel was a bit like that for me at first but I'm warming to it now. If you like it, wear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roniheels Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I like them both the same. Most are the flat-front style, but it is probably because most manufacturers use that style. This is a true statement. All of my high heels are the flat-front style. It has been a while since I have seen the round style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejs Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I think both are good, and each one would suit different styles. So, as long as the heel style fits the shoe style i have no preference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legs777777 Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 U shape for me, not to keen on the round heel type, I dont have any round ones anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyinHeels Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 While I prefer the overall look of a horseshoe-shaped heel I have bought a few heels this past year that were completely round and they looked cute as well. Probably come down to the outfit you have on. HappyinHeels:wave: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crotchboots-m Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 never really thought about it,most of mine are u shaped with a flat front tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brake blocks Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I like both types of heels, as long as they are metal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.wexler Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I prefer the u. I like the contrast or the change from the sole to the outer finished side. I think I only have two or three pair of the round in my collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris100575 Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 I like both, but prefer the U shaped heel. I like the way a contrasting sole colour extends down the front of the heel and emphasises it, either with traditional leather (or leather coloured) soles, or a colour like Louboutin's red. Faith also did some shoes with metallic purple soles which looked great with the black leather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kikepa Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 All told, I prefer a stillleto heel. That's usually very tiny, and very round. Those who really care about us don't make a fuss about what we wear. Those who make a fuss about what we wear really don't care about us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmc Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 The flat-front or "U"-shape creates a sharply defined line at the face of the heel, which tends to emphasize the shape of the heel and its height. The round heel tends to "blend" that line a bit. For that reason, I would have to indicate a slight preference for the "U" style. But the preference is only slight, I wouldn't pass on a pair of shoes that I liked for other reasons simply because they had round-profile heels. Have a happy time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pussyinboots Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Whichever suits the shoe. "Good Girls keep diaries....Bad Girls just don't have the time...!:icon_twisted:" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittyinboots Posted April 17, 2011 Share Posted April 17, 2011 All of my boots are flat-front style. Even if I had a choice, I would prefer a flat-front style, they look better with stacked heels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffer Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 The flat-fronted heel is the traditional stiletto and I prefer it to any other shape, particuiarly if it is set properly under the shoe, i.e. not too far back. Although any high and thin heel is (these days) commonly called a 'stiletto', there are other terms in use, e.g. 'pencil', 'cigarette'. I question whether either of these applies to the all-round style; does anyone know? And is there a distinction in name between the thin all-round heel that tapers out to the back at its top (as with a traditional stiletto) and one that is straight most of the way up, often made in metal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pussyinboots Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 The flat-fronted heel is the traditional stiletto and I prefer it to any other shape, particuiarly if it is set properly under the shoe, i.e. not too far back. Although any high and thin heel is (these days) commonly called a 'stiletto', there are other terms in use, e.g. 'pencil', 'cigarette'. I question whether either of these applies to the all-round style; does anyone know? And is there a distinction in name between the thin all-round heel that tapers out to the back at its top (as with a traditional stiletto) and one that is straight most of the way up, often made in metal? You are absolutely correct. The original stiletto heel came from Italy, and was named after the knife of the same name - the 'stiletto' - which has a long, thin blade almost like a spike, and was carried as a personal weapon by gangsters, hoodlums and criminals. The 'stiletto' heel is a sculpted heel, starting with a flat front, which then tapers down as a spike, to a small pointed tip - usually about 2mm in diameter, no more. The round heel style also originates from Italy, and is commonly known as a 'cigarette' heel or 'pencil' heel simply because it is round all the way down - and usually the same circumference too. There is no difference in name, between the heel that shapes out to the whole of the heel - and the heel that stays the same all the way up. They are both known as 'cigarette' heels. As a purely personal choice - I much prefer the sculpted 'stiletto' heel, tapering down to a tiny little point. "Good Girls keep diaries....Bad Girls just don't have the time...!:icon_twisted:" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Histiletto Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 As a purely personal choice - I much prefer the sculpted 'stiletto' heel, tapering down to a tiny little point. Exactly! Those heels that have the shape of tall roofing nails should have never been attached to any shoes or boots. I see that YSL and Christian Louboutin has applied them to a few of their creations, which devaluates those lines of footwear in my opinion. As I understand high heel shapes, the spike and stiletto are now used interchangeably. However, the spike's concaved tapering usually extends over half of the height of the heel's upper area, while the stiletto's tapering extends under a third of the heel's upper area. Both lower areas of the heel could be very thin, which is the reason that made people refer to the spike as a stiletto. The spike concept now refers to heels with shaft cylinder areas thicker than 9mm diameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffer Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 ... The 'stiletto' heel is a sculpted heel, starting with a flat front, which then tapers down as a spike, to a small pointed tip - usually about 2mm in diameter, no more. ... Thanks, Pussy - I thought I was on the right lines with the terminology. But I query your suggestion that the diameter of a stiletto heel tip is as little as 2mm (5/64"!) . Yes, there are a few extremely thin heels around but the typical heel tip (whether round or D-shaped) is rarely less than 6mm (0.25") across, surely? (And a true stiletto is not much thicker than that - say up to 9mm across.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pussyinboots Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Thanks, Pussy - I thought I was on the right lines with the terminology. But I query your suggestion that the diameter of a stiletto heel tip is as little as 2mm (5/64"!) . Yes, there are a few extremely thin heels around but the typical heel tip (whether round or D-shaped) is rarely less than 6mm (0.25") across, surely? (And a true stiletto is not much thicker than that - say up to 9mm across.) The tips of my 1980's 'Rush Hour' heels are 2.5mm across...... "Good Girls keep diaries....Bad Girls just don't have the time...!:icon_twisted:" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aegis Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 The U-shaped one has a more rigid and industrial feel to it, definitely looks better imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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