Buying Guide

LEVANO's elevator sandals come in 4 models: 8cm (no15 and no16), 7cm (no36) and 5.5cm (no30). If you are undecided, no36 is rated ◎ for dates, everyday wear and city walking alike; for a boost in genuine leather choose no15 or no16, and for Japan-made cowhide leather choose no30. Here is a comparison table of height, material, sizes and price, plus tips to keep sandals discreet.

On a date, elevator shoes get noticed for 3 reasons: shoes that look out of place, your walk, and taking them off. The height itself is not the main cause. Match the formality of your shoes to your clothes, choose 5 to 8cm by walking distance and the height difference with your date, and on days you may take your shoes off, go with 5cm or pick a restaurant with table seating. Here are recommended models by occasion and how to prepare before the day.

How different do 5 cm and 8 cm elevator shoes really look? Taking a 170 cm man who becomes 175 cm or 178 cm as the example, we put eye-level angles, head and shoulder position when standing side by side, full-length versus head-and-shoulders photos, and the effect on pants length into numbers and tables, and list the LEVANO models for each height.

We compare the Heel-Lift Insole no38 (about 2.5 cm, ¥3,580 tax included) with elevator shoes (5–8 cm, from ¥11,980 tax included) on height, natural look, comfort, versatility and price. The verdict: an insole if you want to try about 2.5 cm in shoes you already own, elevator shoes if you want a stable 5 cm or more. We also cover what to watch out for when combining the two.

Elevator shoes get noticed for 5 reasons: sole thickness, toe-to-heel balance, bulk at the feet, your walk, and trouser length. Choose a silhouette that doesn't look thick-soled from the outside, go with 5–6 cm for a first pair or 7–8 cm for a bigger boost matched to your outfit, and they'll look natural. We also share recommended models by occasion.