A Cuban heel is a fashionable shoe bottom that becomes more narrow at the bottom portion of the heel. Another signature characteristic of the Cuban heel is its straight, flat edge along the front-facing portion of the heel. Similar to a cowboy heel or dogger heel, the Cuban heel provides extra flair, making it suitable for both work boots and dressy fashion shoes. 

You’ll often find Cuban heels on lace-less boots, such as side-zip boots, men’s dress shoes, [Chelsea boots](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-chelsea-boots), and some styles of [cowboy boots](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-cowboy-boots). Cuban heels are a staple in flamenco and Latin ballroom dancing, as male dancers wear Cuban heels when dancing the tango, [cha-cha](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cha-cha-dance), samba, and rumba.
Early forms of the Cuban heel date to the ninth century, when Persian soldiers wore shoes with a rounded heel for stability while riding horses. The Cuban heel also appeared in men’s fashion during seventeenth-century France. In twentieth-century England, a shorter Cuban heel became what is now the modern Cuban heel style.

The history of the Cuban heel is also rooted in Latinx heritage. Flamenco dancers wear shoes with a Cuban heel because they provide dancers with significant support. The wide and rounded Cuban heel enables quick, intricate foot movements. 

In the 1960s and ’70s, the music industry played a role in the emergence of the Cuban heel in mainstream fashion. Famous rock singers, including [The Beatles](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/ringo-starr-teaches-drumming-creative-collaboration) and The Rolling Stones, wore low [ankle boots](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-ankle-boots) with a Cuban heel. As a result, the Cuban heel became a signature style for rock musicians by the 1990s. 
The Cuban heel is a versatile shoe style you can dress up or down. Consider the below outfit ideas the next time you wear a Cuban heel. 

- __Dress pants__: For an evening look, wear black leather or suede ankle boots with a pair of dress [pants](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-pants). Cuban heel boots elongate the leg and add elegance to the outfit. This classic look was a signature performance outfit for The Beatles, as they often paired suits with Cuban heel Chelsea boots. 
- __Flared or wide jeans__: Cowboy boots and denim jeans is a signature, casual look that pairs well with a Cuban heel. Most Cuban heels on cowboy boots are higher than the typical dress boot. Style your jeans over your [boots](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-boots-with-jeans) and finish the look with a classic T-shirt or button-down shirt. 
- __Statement jacket__: Since Cuban heels support fashion boots, they create a unique, suave appearance. Statement pieces, such as a vintage leather or [denim jacket](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/denim-jacket-outfits), match the natural flair of Cuban heels. Consider wearing an oversized jacket with a pair of Cuban heel boots. A simple pair of straight-leg pants will work best to show off the jacket and heels in this outfit. 
- __Tights and a dress__: Some vintage styles of high heels, especially shoes reminiscent of the 1920s, have a rounded, straight-edge Cuban heel. These types of high [heels](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-heels) are usually closed-toed, making them ideal for winter wear. To make a fashion statement, play with the color of your tights, selecting a shade that makes your Cuban heels pop. 
Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and let Tan France be your very own style maestro. *Queer Eye*’s fashion guru spills everything he knows about building a capsule collection, finding a signature look, understanding proportions, and more (including why it’s important to wear underwear to bed)—all in a soothing British accent, no less.
Different heel styles create a distinct aesthetic. Discover the style of a Cuban heel and how to pair this look with different outfits.

Different heel styles create a distinct aesthetic. Discover the style of a Cuban heel and how to pair this look with different outfits.

Cuban Heel Shoes: Origins of the Cuban Heel

A Cuban heel is a fashionable shoe bottom that becomes more narrow at the bottom portion of the heel. Another signature characteristic of the Cuban heel is its straight, flat edge along the front-facing portion of the heel. Similar to a cowboy heel or dogger heel, the Cuban heel provides extra flair, making it suitable for both work boots and dressy fashion shoes. You’ll often find Cuban heels on lace-less boots, such as side-zip boots, men’s dress shoes, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-chelsea-boots' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-chelsea-boots","linkCopy":"Chelsea boots","category":null}'>Chelsea boots</a>, and some styles of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-cowboy-boots' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-cowboy-boots","linkCopy":"cowboy boots","category":null}'>cowboy boots</a>. Cuban heels are a staple in flamenco and Latin ballroom dancing, as male dancers wear Cuban heels when dancing the tango, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cha-cha-dance' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cha-cha-dance","linkCopy":"cha-cha","category":null}'>cha-cha</a>, samba, and rumba.

What Is a Cuban Heel?

Early forms of the Cuban heel date to the ninth century, when Persian soldiers wore shoes with a rounded heel for stability while riding horses. The Cuban heel also appeared in men’s fashion during seventeenth-century France. In twentieth-century England, a shorter Cuban heel became what is now the modern Cuban heel style.The history of the Cuban heel is also rooted in Latinx heritage. Flamenco dancers wear shoes with a Cuban heel because they provide dancers with significant support. The wide and rounded Cuban heel enables quick, intricate foot movements. In the 1960s and ’70s, the music industry played a role in the emergence of the Cuban heel in mainstream fashion. Famous rock singers, including <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/ringo-starr-teaches-drumming-creative-collaboration' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/ringo-starr-teaches-drumming-creative-collaboration","linkCopy":"The Beatles","category":null}'>The Beatles</a> and The Rolling Stones, wore low <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-ankle-boots' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-ankle-boots","linkCopy":"ankle boots","category":null}'>ankle boots</a> with a Cuban heel. As a result, the Cuban heel became a signature style for rock musicians by the 1990s.

Origins of the Cuban Heel

The Cuban heel is a versatile shoe style you can dress up or down. Consider the below outfit ideas the next time you wear a Cuban heel. <ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Dress pants: For an evening look, wear black leather or suede ankle boots with a pair of dress <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-pants' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-pants","linkCopy":"pants","category":null}'>pants</a>. Cuban heel boots elongate the leg and add elegance to the outfit. This classic look was a signature performance outfit for The Beatles, as they often paired suits with Cuban heel Chelsea boots. </li><li class="">Flared or wide jeans: Cowboy boots and denim jeans is a signature, casual look that pairs well with a Cuban heel. Most Cuban heels on cowboy boots are higher than the typical dress boot. Style your jeans over your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-boots-with-jeans' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-boots-with-jeans","linkCopy":"boots","category":null}'>boots</a> and finish the look with a classic T-shirt or button-down shirt. </li><li class="">Statement jacket: Since Cuban heels support fashion boots, they create a unique, suave appearance. Statement pieces, such as a vintage leather or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/denim-jacket-outfits' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/denim-jacket-outfits","linkCopy":"denim jacket","category":null}'>denim jacket</a>, match the natural flair of Cuban heels. Consider wearing an oversized jacket with a pair of Cuban heel boots. A simple pair of straight-leg pants will work best to show off the jacket and heels in this outfit. </li><li class="">Tights and a dress: Some vintage styles of high heels, especially shoes reminiscent of the 1920s, have a rounded, straight-edge Cuban heel. These types of high <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-heels' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-heels","linkCopy":"heels","category":null}'>heels</a> are usually closed-toed, making them ideal for winter wear. To make a fashion statement, play with the color of your tights, selecting a shade that makes your Cuban heels pop. </li></ul>

What to Wear With a Cuban Heel

Get a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and let Tan France be your very own style maestro. Queer Eye’s fashion guru spills everything he knows about building a capsule collection, finding a signature look, understanding proportions, and more (including why it’s important to wear underwear to bed)—all in a soothing British accent, no less.

Want to Learn More About Unleashing Your Inner Fashionista?

Different heel styles create a distinct aesthetic. Discover the style of a Cuban heel and how to pair this look with different outfits.

Different heel styles create a distinct aesthetic. Discover the style of a Cuban heel and how to pair this look with different outfits.
