Real leather and good quality do eventually cost less if you keep them & take care of them (get the heels re-capped, etc.) so look for a timeless style like a 3.5 inch heel pump in black, calfskin if you can get that. I had some from the 1990s I just gave to my youngest kid's girlfriend because I don't wear heels anymore. They still look good, never seem to go out of date. Those were expensive Stuart Weitzman ones, you can sometimes get them on clearance for about $100 if you get lucky. I liked his because they had a 10 narrow, long enough but no slipping around on my feet, I could walk well in them without getting blisters.

Be sure to store your shoes in a dry, dark place. Time and moisture can cause shoes to literally disintegrate.