Outdated Heel Trends You Should Ditch ASAP

Even as we move toward prioritizing comfort in our fashion, we'll never truly say goodbye to traditional high heels. This simple shoe has the power to bring an outfit together and infuse the wearer with confidence, even if the balls of their feet ache in the process. And within the world of high heels, there are infinite styles to explore and match to the rest of your wardrobe, so paying attention to the hot and not lists can give you clarity on what's worth purchasing for upcoming seasons. To find out which heels have joined the ranks of the outdated shoe trends to ditch in 2025, Glam spoke exclusively to Amanda Massi, a Los Angeles and Las Vegas-based personal and celebrity stylist.

"For summer 2025, heels are about balanced height, sculptural creativity, and sophisticated, earthy color palettes," Massi shares, adding that "clunky" and "cheap" styles are on their way out as "this season celebrates subtle innovation and elegant maximalism." Sky-high platform heels were once a non-negotiable in a fashion-forward shoe closet, and now Massi reveals they're a sign that you're living in the past. Similarly, neon pointed heels were previously all the rage, but the fashion gods have suddenly taken away their power. As Massi points out, "... fashion is always about evolution and expressing the cultural moment we're living in."

And for every kind of heel that's no longer earning style points, there are plenty of trendier shoes to get to know — and perhaps even bring out of retirement. So, if your favorite pair has ended up on the "not-hot" list, know that they'll come back sooner or later. In the meantime, Massi has highlighted some alternatives that you might like to embrace this season instead: "As always, I want my clients to feel like every step is a statement, but a thoughtfully up-to-date one!"

The good news for petite women is that high heels are well and truly alive in 2025. But one style that we are saying goodbye to, Amanda Massi notes exclusively to Glam, are "those thick, foam-like soles that dominated just a year or two ago." This is a reflection of the general move away from clunkiness and toward more minimal, flattering silhouettes. Instead, reach for ballet heels, which tend to have a lower thick heel, or classic strappy sandals. "Designers are moving toward lighter, more sculpted silhouettes that still offer height, but with a refined, less bulky finish," Massi notes, adding that these heels will "whisper about a sense of style that's both current and enduring."

Along the same lines as the dated platform heel is the once-trendy lug sole. "The heavy lug-sole heel, especially in sandal styles, is also feeling past its prime — this summer, it's all about more fluid, organic shapes that create a softer look," Amanda Massi explains exclusively to Glam, adding that lug soles "were fun when we were craving drama and nostalgia coming out of the pandemic, but now they feel too heavy — almost clunky — in a world that's leaning into lightness, mobility, and more refined self-expression." A '90s-inspired minimalist pair of strappy heeled mules with a flat sole is the perfect alternative. 

While neon heels were all the rage in 2023 following the Barbiecore revolution, Amanda Massi confirms that they've been left in the dust, given that "there's a growing appreciation for craftsmanship and subtlety, which makes the 'louder' elements of ... neon styles feel a bit out of sync with where style is headed." Massi exclusively adds to Glam, "For 2025, I'm seeing a surge in earthy, nature-inspired tones like terracotta, olive, and clay, as well as luxe, understated metallics — think brushed gold and antique silver — rather than ultra-shiny chrome." Muted colors like sage and powder blue are great choices if you're looking for a different pop of color in your heels, and those who prefer an edgier shade might like to try cherry red.  

High-quality patent-leather heels will always have a place, but at the moment, Amanda Massi says that "plastic" finishes are nothing but a past obsession. Instead, she reveals exclusively to Glam that current fashion "favors layers of texture (like luxe suedes, soft metallics, or even woven leather) and colors that reflect a connection to nature and sustainability." For another modern alternative, look for snake and crocodile-skin patterns that will give your heels a stylish edge. As our stylist observes, "Shoppers want shoes that look and feel elevated, and that can work with everything from a slip dress to a perfectly tailored short."

Pointed-toe heels will never truly be dead and gone, but Amanda Massi tells us that this silhouette is looking pretty tired next to its more contemporary counterparts, square and almond-toe shoes. "Silhouette-wise, the micro mini kitsch of Barbiecore is evolving," Massi shares in our exclusive chat. "The extreme pointed toe of past seasons is giving way to softly squared or almond-shaped toes — elegant, but with enough structure to be on-trend." In particular, the expert recommends elegant slingbacks in this design, but almond-toe flats might just have you ditching your heels altogether in 2025.

In spring 2023, architectural heels were considered walking art, and according to Amanda Massi, they're still a chicer option than your standard stilettos. "Skinny stilettos, unless paired with unique architectural elements or dramatic embellishments, are being traded in for heels with more personality: Sculptural heels, flared bases, and asymmetric designs are all huge," the stylist says. In an exclusive chat with Glam, Massi recommends sculptural heels with "artful twists or geometric cutouts," or generally any fresh heel that will "make a statement without being overbearing." If you lean toward avant-garde footwear, you can explore other currently popular iterations, like metallic accents and heels with floral embellishments and appliqués for the ultimate feminine feel. 

The style trends of the 2020s have largely been shaped by comfort, so supportive block heels have been the height of fashion for a while. However, that's changing in 2025 as we move away from chunky block heels toward the sleeker flared heel, which Amanda Massi recommends in our exclusive chat. It doesn't matter whether you're going for multiple-inch high heels or comfy kittens or trans-seasonal boots — the flared heel that almost sits at a diagonal brings an interesting dynamic that's missing from the dated block style. Whether you wear them with boots or heeled mules, slip-ons or slingbacks, the flare is a force to be reckoned with this year.

Loafers are the one shoe that can always dress up leggings, so don't worry — they're not going anywhere. However, heeled loafer mules specifically, which have enjoyed a prime position in fashion circles over the past few years, have been knocked from their throne. For a more en-vogue alternative, Amanda Massi suggests exclusively to Glam that a "modern mule with architectural interest" is the way forward. Otherwise, opt for heeled loafers designed with metallic accents, similar to what Bella Hadid rocked during Paris Fashion Week this year. If you prefer a little more edge, go for heeled loafers with pleated or scrunched leather to really nail the street-style aesthetic. 

If one thing's certain, it's that espadrille heels will make an appearance each and every summer. But while this style is a classic, Amanda Massi exclusively confirms that "recycled Y2K looks" are out. By comparison, mesh heels were huge in 2024, and we're still not ready to get off this bandwagon since they align with the stylist's criteria of "special, modern, and thoughtful." To really nail the assignment, go for a mocha-mousse mesh shoe rather than the standard black; younger and older celebs alike have embraced Pantone's 2025 Color of the Year, and you can join their ranks by rocking it in your footwear.

This probably won't come as a surprise, but glittery heels no longer have a place in a fashion-forward wardrobe, other than perhaps for a New Year's Eve party. "Colors should feel rich but natural — burnished metallics, warm clay, deep greens, or the quiet luxury of creamy neutrals," Amanda Massi reiterates exclusively to Glam, making it pretty clear that glitter doesn't fit the bill. That said, earthy vintage clog heels are one of the retro shoe styles seeing a resurgence in 2025. And for more footwear scoop, brush up on the shoes we're wearing with cuffed jeans in summer 2025.