Stiletto | Performance Glossary

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Stiletto

noun — Footwear

A stiletto is a heel style characterized by a thin, tapered heel post — typically less than 1cm in diameter at the tip — with little to no platform under the toe box. The full height of the heel translates directly to the pitch your foot sits at, making stilettos more demanding to wear than platform heels of the same height.

Stiletto vs. Platform Heel

Stiletto Platform Heel
Platform None / minimal 0.5"–3"+
Comfort More demanding More comfortable
Silhouette Sleek, minimal Bold, dramatic
Common use Ballroom, theater Pole, drag, festival