The Best Heels for Plus Size Ladies: 5 Types Explained

We only feature products that we hope you will love. We may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you.  

Are you struggling to find a pair of heels that fit larger frames? If so, check out this guide for the best heels for plus size ladies, which includes cute plus size heels for wide feet.

Heels are the best accessory that every woman should have in her closet. They can be worn to dress up an outfit, change your entire look, and just make you feel good about yourself. However, it can be hard to find heels that work for plus sized ladies because what might fit one person may not work for another.

Heels are a staple in most women’s closets, but for those that have a hard time finding the best ones for their body type, it can be difficult. In this article, we will discuss 5 kinds of heels that are best for plus size ladies to help make your decision easier when purchasing new shoes.

The Best Types of High Heels for Plus Sized Ladies

1. Kitten Heels

Get these kitten heels on Vita Grace

Kitten heels are one of the best heels for any plus sized woman because they give you a little more height without adding too much height or taking up too much space on your feet, giving you a comfortable height. These types of heels are best for those with larger ankles and calves because they have a more narrow design.

They also tend to be very comfortable so you won’t feel like your feet ache after standing in them all day, making this one of the more popular styles for not just plus sized women, but any adult woman who values comfort above all else.

2. Wedges

Get these wedges on ASOS

Wedges give plus sized women that little extra height without being too high or uncomfortable. This type of heel is best if you’re going somewhere where you will need to move around a lot such as dancing at an event, running errands, etc.

Wedge heels usually come in neutral colors which means they can match just about anything but still provide the extra lift that many other shoes don’t offer while maintaining comfortability. Wedges allow you to wear something with an inch of heel without having to worry about stability issues, making this a great option if you don’t trust your balance.

3. Block Heels

Get this on Nordstrom

Block heels are best for those who aren’t used to wearing high heels because they offer more support than other styles for larger sizes. This type of chunky heel is best if you know that comfortability will be important to you throughout the day especially since it has a thick heel that allows for easy walking without being too uncomfortable or unstable.

Block heels are usually comfortable shoes and they offer even more stability than ankle strap shoes do, making this the ideal choice for everyday wear.

4. Platform Heels

Get this pair at Urban Outfitters

Platform shoes have become very popular in recent years as well so instead of having just one piece at the bottom, there might be an additional platform near the balls of your feet where some extra cushioning may reside.

Platform heels also add stability but give even less space between yourself and the ground allowing for better balance. If you love a good boost, this shoe style is a must-have in your closet. They can work in different ways and in different occasions, just make sure to get a heel height that you can wear all day.

5. Heels With Ankle Straps

Get this at ASOS

These heels offer the best of both worlds by offering some extra height while also providing great stability so that there is no fear of falling or tripping over yourself. They come in a variety of colors, textures, and fabrics which you can choose from to best fit your personality.

Heels with ankle straps are one of the best types of shoes to wear to formal occasions, as they typically come with any kind of heel you can imagine, including a stiletto heel. With this said, we still recommend choosing lower heels instead of sky high stiletto heels, as these are the most comfortable ones to wear.

For maximum stability, make sure to get the ones with cross straps or a block heel.

7 Shoe Brands With Plus Size Heels For Wide Feet

Now is the hard part – where do you find shoe brands that have extended sizing? Sure, there are tons of gorgeous heels out there but they’re useless if they don’t have sizes that also cater to fuller figures. It can be quite tedious to find a brand that offers both plus size heels for wide feet AND durability, which is why we scoured the internet to find shoe retailers at different price points so you can choose the right pair of heels.

When it comes to buying footwear, we recommend either going into the actual store to try out the shoes or ordering multiple different ones online and sending back the ones that don’t fit well. Shoes can be tricky, as you can’t really tell which ones are going to be the best for you simply by looking at them; you need to put them on so that you’ll be able to feel the fit and the overall height of the heel.

If you are looking to shop online for the convenience of it, fortunately, there are shoe brands and retailers that offer a detailed description of their shoe sizing, as well as their wide range of fits. We recommend opting for a shoe that’s made to be “wide-fit” specifically. However, for extra precision, make sure to get a ruler (or a measuring tape) and check your own soles against each product’s size chart!

1.ASOS – What makes ASOS great is that they have super-inclusive sizes for every body type – even when it comes to footwear. ASOS has a “wide fit” shoe collection with lots of options and fashionable wide width shoes where ladies with wide feet can choose chic and stylish footwear. They also offer different brands in their website so you won’t have to go to other websites to find shoes. Plus, they have detailed descriptions of what each brand fits.

2. Torrid – Torrid specializes in plus size fashion, and all of their shoes are fit for overweight women. They have a specialist high heel section that caters to people needing a wide fit, which you should definitely check out. The major downside of Torrid is that their collection isn’t quite as large as many other retailers’ on this list.

3. Avenue – As a specialist store for plus sized women, it’s no wonder that Avenue offers a wide range of cute shoes specially designed for heavier women. They have lots of options for heels in different height, design, colors and price points. They also go up to size 13, making them very inclusive.

4.Target – Ah, Target. Anyone and everyone can find whatever they need from there, right? Well, Target doesn’t disappoint here either. They create some of their shoes in a wide fit, making them the ideal affordable retailer for any plus size ladies on a budget.

5. Lane Bryant – While this inspiring plus size retailer carries a variety of wide-fit shoes, its selection of plus size heels for wide feet is a little bit more limited. However, it’s worth checking every once in a while, as they often have a “buy one, get one free” deal!

6. Zappos– Of course Zappos had to be on our list! This online footwear giant offers perhaps the widest selection of plus size heels for a wide fit on this list. What’s cool about Zappos is that you can actually filter shoes based on their width too, not just by their size. This makes it super practical to use, if you know your exact measurements.

7. Nordstrom– They offer extended sizing for shoes, boots, handbags, accessories & clothing in women sizes up to size 22! Plus Nordstrom has a free return policy on all items – including sale items (so no need to worry if something doesn’t fit)! Nordstrom also has a wide range of comfortable high heel shoes with different colors, all at a great price.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is there a weight limit for high heels?

There is not an unlimited weight limit for wearing high heels, but it’s best to wear shoes that best suit your weight and height as well as the type of heel you are looking at. Wedges tend to be a popular choice among plus sized women because they offer both stability and comfortability which can help prevent falling or tripping over oneself. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, “High heels can exact a heavy toll on the body, pushing weight forward onto the ball of the foot and toes and stressing the back and legs. Most doctors recommend a maximum height of 2 inches.”

Does fit have anything to do with how comfortable certain shoe brands are?

Yes! While there isn’t really any direct correlation between foot size and shoe brand sizing, finding a good fit for yourself in terms of each individual area on your body is best. A shoe that is too narrow can make your feet swell up or get blisters while a shoe that’s too wide could cause you to trip and fall more easily which would result in even more pain.

What heels should a beginner wear?

Personally, we think it’s best that beginners should wear kitten heels. Most kitten heels are only an inch (or two) long, and they are a great training ground as you slowly improve your balance and walking style.

Why are my feet so wide?

According to Health Line, there are multiple reasons why your feet could be as wide as they are. Some of the top reasons include genetics, age, foot deformities, improper footwear and swelling. Also, as you probably know, being overweight can cause your feet to widen, as well as your foot arch to flatten.

We hope you found some great heels for plus size ladies from this article! If you’re still on the lookout for more shoes, check out our related posts below.