What makes some heels "frumpy"?

[MyFirstName]

Ordered a few pairs of heels in the sales for an event in early Feb. Arrived OK, but none any good. One pair too low cut at the front (got that horrible squished toe look) and a couple of others going back as they are just a bit "meh". They just feel a bit frumpy. So back to the drawing board.

I rarely wear heels (high days and well not even holidays - that is what flipflops are for) so am in no way experienced in buying or wearing them. But some just looked wrong when I tried them on.

All just regular "court" shoes (so nothing fancy, strappy or wild). Is it the heel height? Heel shape - straight/ kitten like shape? Toe shape - pointed/rounded?

Is there something you S&B gurus just know will look crap so instantly pass over - if so what is the secret please?

Regular court shoes are hard to pull off unless you are in a conservative setting. What were you hoping to wear them with? Shoe boots might fit the bill.

Understated but elegant lbd. So evening. Looking at leopard print, sparkly, even bright colours - so not just dull black shoes.

Really struggle with shoe boots - have slender ankles but the runners calf muscles (and am a total shortarse) so just looks all wrong on me imo.

I ordered these and loved them but I had to send them back because the 5 fitted more like a 4 so they were too small.
There are a couple of sizes in hof and a few more on the mint velvet website. If they had a 6 I'd snap them up.