A spool heel is a shoe heel that is wide at the top and bottom and narrower in the middle, [1] so resembling a cotton spool or an hourglass. [2] Spool heels were fashionable in Europe during the Baroque [3] and Rococo [4] periods. Its other periods of popularity include the 1860s [5] and the 1950s. [6] This look has been popularized by John Fluevog.
A low spool heel has a small distinctive flare at the heel bottom. Higher spool heels are close to resembling a stiletto heel, but with a flare at the bottom.
Spool heels provide comfort for the wearer and are considered a practical heeled shoe option.