Unless you’ve been living on Mars, (which doesn’t sound too bad right now given the state of the world,) you’ve been subjected to the phenomena which are Megan Fox street style and the Versace satin platforms. It seems unescapable to log on to your Instagram without seeing at least one picture of either.
The consensus is sky high platforms, rich colors and hot fabrics, ( literally hot because these pants don’t breathe,) are the post-pandemic trends right now.
A trend is a symbol of what’s happening in society and platform shoes have a long history of coming into style when the world feels like it’s ending. I paired my platforms with some PVC inspired pants because both trends, like Megan Fox’s beauty, are out-of-this-world.
Platform pumps have existed as far back as 6th century BCE . The shoe has evolved over time and made an appearance in several cultures. The Manchu women of the Qing dynasty in East Asia wore wooden platforms.
“Chopines” were the sky high wooden platforms worn in the 16th century by wealthy Roman and Italian families said to have been inspired by the Greeks who wore platforms as a form of social standing – look taller, command more respect- in theory anyway.
Aphrodite is commonly drawn wearing platforms, though we have no true evidence as no footwear has survived from this era.
The first platform heel documented comes from 17th century Persia created by horseback riders as an attempt to figure out the high heel.
When the highheel makes it’s fashionable debut, it sticks around for majority of the 1700 and 1800s and platforms go out of fashion for some time before we see them come back in the 1900’s.
We see platforms come back into style in the 30s, 70s, late 90s and 2000s. Interest in platforms seems to grow during times of “social unrest and economic stress… during the Great Depression we see shoes go wild, as well during the oil crisis, and the economic woes of the 70s.” CNN Style
IBM’s Consumer products expert Trevor Davis says “In an economic downturn, heels go up and stay up, as consumers turn to more flamboyant fashions as a means of fantasy and escape.”
Salvatore Ferragamo designed a, dare I say “groovy” pair of rainbow, leather platform pumps for Judy Garland in the 1930’s that could be easily misdated for the psychedelic times of the times 70s. The 30s were a time of pragmatism and clothing was not for indulging, cue “The Great Depression.” Platform shoes had the ability to transform an otherwise dreary existence- and wardrobe.
Platforms come back into style in the ’70s when we see another large cultural shift. Boomers’, now of working age and are beginning to question the lives of their parents and the consumerism they’ve bought into.
The big questions are: What is the meaning of life and why are we buying into all this shit??? The reverie offered by sky high, colorful platform heels played a major part in this movement, starring alongside mind-altering drugs and music festivals. We also see men sporting platforms in the ’70s as gender roles are truly challenged and women’s rights seeing big momentum.
‘90’s platforms go ballistic with a concoction of platform sneakers, platform flip flops, platform foam thong sandals, clear lucite stripper platforms, oxford platforms, platform jelly sandals and the iconic platform clogs.
The 90s were a time of great stress for most. Many thought the world might end in the year 2000. Others worried that technology would destroy society, (they might have been right.) The term Y2K is thrown around so nonchalantly now as a Gen Z fashion trend, but at the time, there was nothing nonchalant about the looming turn of the millenium.
Spice girls, 2000′
My favorite part about fashion is what it says about the world we are living in. I thought plastic pants paired with platform shoes would be appropriate as they’re both true testament to the freaky, dystopian world we are living in today- Also, Megan Fox .
It’s obvious to me that platforms are in style again because we’ve spent two years depressed in our pjs, and the time to dress up is now. I’m excited about post-pandemic fashion and for society to have fun again, both with their style and in life.
Hopefully you’ve enjoyed some fab fashion history and are inspired to take on a futuristic look! Let me know if you’ll be hopping on the trends in the comments below.
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2 Responses
Looove that platforms are coming back! With ruined feet the only way I can wear heels these days is if they are paired with a platform sole. Plus it looks amaaaaazing! Wore them in the 70s (yes, clog ones!), wore them in the 90s, in the 00s, so will I do it again? ….You bet yes! 😍😍😍
Yay! Love it. Send some pics on Insta when you wear them!!