The Best Black Pumps - 2023
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Our Picks For The Top Black Pumps
- The Best Black Pump
- 1. Clarks Leather Ortholite Rounded-Toe Black Pump
- 2. City Classified Platform Rounded-Toe Cushioned Black Pumps
- 3. Nine West Leather Pointed-Toe Black Pumps
- 4. DREAM PAIRS Faux-Leather Pointed-Toe Black Pumps
- 5. Franco Sarto Wedge Flexible-Sole Black Pumps
- 6. LifeStride Leather Front & Side Cut-Outs Black Pumps
Rounded Toes for ComfortStay fashionable without making your feet pay the price in these black pumps that are made for walking.
Your Feet Will Feel GoodThese beautiful rounded-toe high-heeled pumps offer comfort and classic style that go with any look.
It’s a Classic StilettoWhen it comes to a traditional, drop-dead gorgeous black pump, you can’t go wrong with this pair.
Fits Like a DreamEveryone will compliment you on these stylish shoes, which are made with your well-being in mind.
Fashion experts agree: every woman needs at least one good pair of classic black pumps. They’re versatile, as they go with pretty much everything. They’re timeless; pick the right ones, and you’ll always look stylish. And they’ll elevate any look from your closet, from jeans and a T-shirt to business wear.
However, traditional black pumps — especially those with heels over 3 inches high — are not necessarily designed for comfort. If happy feet are more important to you, there are plenty of modern styles that feature chunkier heels that may be easier to wear and walk in.
You can easily find features like rounded toes and cushioned footbeds on black pumps now. Some women think wedge pumps are the most comfortable style of heels on the market.
As a rule, shoes with pointed toes are narrower and not as cozy as wider styles, but many men and women wear them without problems. These have an advantage because they’re always fashionable. You can also opt for square or almond-shaped toes, but rounded ones tend to offer the most room.
Some black pumps have platforms at the front of the sole, underneath the ball of the foot. Like a wedge heel, this feature balances out your weight better so it is not all hitting at the heel.
Just remember some of these comfort features may go in and out of style, and you’ll have your own personal preferences when it comes to which you want your shoes to have. Fortunately, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one pair. Since they can be casual, formal or somewhere in between, you may wish to own several pairs of black pumps with varying textures or heel heights.
Keep in mind that the size you wear in heels may not be the same as what you wear in boots or sneakers, even if the shoes are the same brand. Read the product descriptions and see if the shoes are true to size, or if they run small or large. Many manufacturers will provide this information. If the shoe you are considering is a brand that you are not familiar with, see if the shoes can be exchanged for another size if they don’t fit properly.
The Best Black Pumps
Clarks Leather Ortholite Rounded-Toe Black Pump
This brand is known for its well-made, extremely comfortable shoes. These black pumps are no exception, with a rounded toe, a footbed made from cushy OrthoLite and a soft, flexible rubber sole. There's also a slight platform for balance.
Features
Specifications
City Classified Platform Rounded-Toe Cushioned Black Pumps
These high-heeled black pumps have a roomy round toe and a bit of a platform. They're made with soft synthetic nubuck material. They keep your feet and toes cradled in comfort, and they also come in other colors so you can expand your collection.
Features
Specifications
Nine West Leather Pointed-Toe Black Pumps
This sleek black dress pump in 100% leather has a 4-inch heel, a pointed toe and a lightly cushioned footbed. It’s guaranteed to make your feet (and legs) look like a million bucks no matter where you are headed when you leave the house.
Features
Specifications
DREAM PAIRS Faux-Leather Pointed-Toe Black Pumps
These 4-inch black dress pumps have exclusive, built-in comfort features, including a latex padded insole, a solid rubber bottom for secure strides and a Thermoplastic Elastomers sole for added durability.
Features
Specifications
Franco Sarto Wedge Flexible-Sole Black Pumps
For those who don’t like strictly traditional black pumps, these pointed-toe black leather wedges offer a unique style. They also have a breathable lining, a flexible sole and the quality you crave in a pair of elegant heeled shoes.
Features
Specifications
Our Black Pump Buying Guide
Fashion experts agree: every woman needs at least one good pair of classic black pumps. They’re versatile, as they go with pretty much everything. They’re timeless; pick the right ones, and you’ll always look stylish. And they’ll elevate any look from your closet, from jeans and a T-shirt to business wear.
However, traditional black pumps — especially those with heels over 3 inches high — are not necessarily designed for comfort. If happy feet are more important to you, there are plenty of modern styles that feature chunkier heels that may be easier to wear and walk in.
You can easily find features like rounded toes and cushioned footbeds on black pumps now. Some women think wedge pumps are the most comfortable style of heels on the market.
As a rule, shoes with pointed toes are narrower and not as cozy as wider styles, but many men and women wear them without problems. These have an advantage because they’re always fashionable. You can also opt for square or almond-shaped toes, but rounded ones tend to offer the most room.
Some black pumps have platforms at the front of the sole, underneath the ball of the foot. Like a wedge heel, this feature balances out your weight better so it is not all hitting at the heel.
Just remember some of these comfort features may go in and out of style, and you’ll have your own personal preferences when it comes to which you want your shoes to have. Fortunately, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one pair. Since they can be casual, formal or somewhere in between, you may wish to own several pairs of black pumps with varying textures or heel heights.
Keep in mind that the size you wear in heels may not be the same as what you wear in boots or sneakers, even if the shoes are the same brand. Read the product descriptions and see if the shoes are true to size, or if they run small or large. Many manufacturers will provide this information. If the shoe you are considering is a brand that you are not familiar with, see if the shoes can be exchanged for another size if they don’t fit properly.
DWYM Fun Fact
While both women and men alike love to wear heels, believe it or not, the origins of high heels can be traced back to military men.
According to some experts, the first heels were used in Persia in the 10th century. Higher-heeled boots enabled soldiers to stay in their stirrups while standing up in their saddles to shoot bows. Soon enough, kings and wealthy courtiers wanted pairs of their own.
By the 14th century, women in both India and Europe were wearing raised shoes and by the 17th, heels resembled the shoes we wear today. During King Louis XIV of France’s time on the throne, men took to wearing high heels again in great numbers. They became a symbol of power.
The style eventually began trickling down to commoners, who wanted to imitate courtiers. Men stopped wearing heels during the Enlightenment in the 18th century; because heels were considered just a symbol of status or fashion, they were not rational.
The Black Pump Tips and Advice
- There are times when nothing else besides a black pump will do, like for a job interview, a company dinner or a formal affair.
- Once you get your new black pumps, try them on and wear them inside your house for a few hours, avoiding anything that could damage them. You cannot usually return them if they have been clearly worn.
- You can make black pumps more comfortable with accessories like gel-backed arch supports and orthopedic foot beds. If you plan to use any of these, you may want to order up a half-size to accommodate them.
- Leather pumps will last the longest but will be more expensive.
- If you worry about falling while wearing heels, look for black pumps with rubber or non-skid soles.
About The Author
Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketing expert based in New York. She has been writing on business and finance, home and garden, DIY, travel and tourism, and a variety of other topics for over a decade, and she holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. Danielle loves working on product reviews and helping others find the highest quality items at the right prices. She loves watercolor florals, medium-wash jeans, and breezy fabrics, and is committed to finding the best fashion values.
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