A pair of high heel pumps is almost certainly the most common heel in any shoe closet.
A good pump is timeless. It is a symbol of a confident, powerful woman who moves with grace and needs no unnecessary embellishment.
There may be no better recent example than Steve Madden’s fabulous 4 inch Vala pump, which has been trending on Amazon since it was introduced in 2023 (click the affiliate link to see more).
Like all classic pumps (or “court shoes” as they are called in Britain), Vala is a slip-on, stiletto-heeled shoe which encloses the back, sides and toes of the foot while leaving the top exposed.
The key reason that pumps like this one are such a wardrobe staple is their feminine and elegant look. Indeed they may be thought to be the most simple and modest high heel shoe.
Pumps are simple because they involve no moving parts. A key feature of pumps is that they do not have buckles, straps, laces or any other fastening devices to help keep them affixed to the foot.
Despite this, high heel pumps have a sleek and sophisticated design that can instantly elevate any outfit. They create a feminine and stream-lined silhouette, making the wearer appear taller and more confident.
Pumps can also be thought to be modest because they show no part of the foot, at least beyond a little toe cleavage. For this reason, pumps are often worn in a professional environment – usually referred to as work pumps.
But do not be deceived.
Pumps are far from dull or conservative formal female footwear. Just ask Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin who have both built glamorous shoe empires based on perfect pumps!
And while they may look simple, but designing pumps is actually a difficult art to master.
In fact, Christian Louboutin and Sandra Choi (who designed for Jimmy Choo) have both said that the plain pump is one of the hardest shoes to design.
Cesare Casadei made things even more challenging for himself when he designed his now iconic blade heeled pump. The heel was so difficult to create that this revolutionary pump nearly never happened.
Their versatility is another reason why high heel pumps are the first stilettos chosen for a shoe collection. Pumps can be worn with a wide range of outfits, from formal dresses to office attire or even with jeans for a more casual look.
They add a touch of sophistication and can easily transition from day to night.
Pumps can be worn barefoot or with stockings or pantyhose. Either way, they come with a brisk “click clack” sound that commands attention.
It is a matter of controversy whether the definition of “pumps” should include kitten heels, block heels or more. Some retailers certainly call these shoes pumps and others apply the term to all closed-toe heels.
While we love all heels, we don’t think that the word “pump” should be extended to these shoes. If it is, then the word becomes meaningless because practically all heels with a closed front can be considered pumps.
Nevertheless, pumps do come in a range of heights which allow individuals to choose the height that suits their personal preference and comfort level. Given pumps are such popular shoes it is little wonder they should come in all shapes and sizes.
Check out our frequently answered questions about high heeled pumps below.
Does a pump always have a high heel?
High heel pumps are often just referred to as “pumps” but these days there is no real difference between the two terms.
Well over a hundred years ago, the word “pump” was associated with flat shoes of an otherwise “pump like” design which were worn by both men and women.
However we simply don’t use the word pump in this way any more. Flats are, well, flats, and pumps have heels. Period.
Can a peeptoe or cut-out heel still be a pump?
A “classic” or “simple” pump is completely enclosed around the wearer’s foot rather than just mostly enclosed. But if you just use the word “pump” by itself, then some people would argue that it encompasses variations on the theme.
Other people would argue that if some of the foot is going to be on show in the shoe (apart from toe cleavage) then this might be referred to as a kind of pump in a way that makes this clear.
What does all this mean?
It means that maybe a pump can include a d’Orsay cutout (which would show the wearer’s arch). Or perhaps a pump can have a cut out at the front for toes to peep through.
But perhaps a better way is to refer to these shoes as a “d’Orsay pump” or a “peep-toe” so we don’t confuse them with a “simple” pump.
What is the difference between a pump and a court shoe?
A pump and a court shoe are the same thing. A “court shoe” is the British term for a pump.
Can a pump have a block heel rather than a narrow stiletto heel?
This is a controversial topic too. As we noted above, some people take a more narrow definition of pump than others.
We like to think that pumps – at least “classic pumps” – are high heels in the traditional sense. That is, they don’t have wide heels.
Block heels can be referred to as “block heels” very nicely, leaving the definition of pumps to something more dainty and precious.
But then, language is always changing. In the end, what you call a pump is up to you. We might not agree with you but we’re happy to agree to differ.