Platforms: the height of party fashion
December 11th, 2007Unfortunately I cannot appreciate the elevation of these shoes, but platforms are the height of party fashion this season. They’ll look festive and mod with cocktail dresses, jeans, flirty skirts and satin skinnies (either bare-legged, or with hose). Pop in foot petals to prevent your feet from sliding and add an insole for cushioning comfort. Statement peds like these are sure to kick your outfit up a notch if you feel stable in 4-5 inch heels. They’re like sculptured works of art on your feet. I’ll admire them from a distance because I draw the line at 3 inches and “2 hours” for party shoes and that scenario needs to include a lot of sitting.
Pretty party platforms with either skinny or chunky soaring heel heights are a must if you like the look and your feet can stand it. It’s a skill that you can add to your resume if you can walk and dance the night away in these. I don’t know how Beyonce does it.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:41 am
The real beauty of the platform shoe is that the elevated sole adds 1/2″ of height to the whole shoe so that one can wear a higher heel than normal without really “feeling” it. A seemingly high 3 1/2″ heel is essentially a 3″ heel because the 1/2″ platform cancels out 1/2″ of heel. An added bonus is that the platform often adds cushioning as well.
I would just recommend that ladies look at the overall effect of the shoe with the outfit. I know that tights and chunky heels are fashionable right now, but often the wide ankle straps and chunky look can overwhelm a cute cocktail dress (and be a little unflattering by cutting the line of the leg).
I love that I can wear a higher heel because of the cushion of the platform and the sturdier heel.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Ankle straps can cut that long lean line Meredeth and this is a good point. Horizontal straps that fasten lower on the shoe (towards the toe) are more flattering, so choose your Mary Jane’s carefully. Refresh your memory with this blog entry:
http://www.youlookfab.com/2006.....le-straps/
I do feel that the exaggerated height of these platforms (3 and half inches plus) elevates your legs to such an extent that the horizontal “cutting line” of a shoe strap is minimized. I’m with you on the sturdier heel Meredeth. The only reason that I can walk in my 3 inch Kate Spade shoes is because they have a very sturdy chunky heel and I cushion the inside like a baby’s bed!
December 11th, 2007 at 11:09 am
I loveloveLOVE the red ones! I’m a big fan of platforms because, as Meredith said, one can wear a higher heel without feeling it. I have a lot of knee and foot problems, so huge heels can be a problem for me, but with a platform to ease the effect, I can handle taller shoes. Since I’m of Hungarian peasant stock, I’m short and very large-boned. Platforms work wonders with my body form- helping to slim me down and lengthen my abysmally short legs and make them more proportional to my long torso. So far I only have one pair of black platforms, but this Christmas I’m hoping to use some gift money to purchase a few more. I’m always highly complimented when I wear my platforms. I can wear one outfit with the platforms and then with another pair of shoes, and no one will notice it without the platforms, but they’ll rave about it with them!
December 11th, 2007 at 11:36 am
That’s great Kathleen. Your platforms certainly seem to pack that extra punch! I’m impressed that you can walk in these sculptured skycrapers.
December 11th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
I have to admit - I’m not a big fan of platforms, especially with ankle straps. I much prefer a more “classic” style of heel…
December 11th, 2007 at 4:09 pm
I just don’t understand women who walk in heels like they were born in them. I can barely handle 2 inch heels. Those things make me cringe! I can endure some minor discomfort if I look really great, but I have to draw the line at heels. God bless ballet flats.
December 12th, 2007 at 7:48 am
And *I* can’t understand why anyone would wear ballet flats when these super-fabulous shoes are in fashion. Personally, I’m a bit overweight, so I need the added height.. I look like a tree stump in ballet flats. Luckily, I can not only walk in heels, I can walk in heels for blocks and blocks, and regularly wear them all day long. Even BETTER is the opague hose trend with these shoes. I love the way that looks, and it covers up all my lovely spider veins.
Now doesn’t that sound attractive… a tree stump with spider veins! Look out, fellas!
December 12th, 2007 at 9:59 am
I LOVE those things. I got a pair for Hubby’s Christmas party - Nine West - and my only complaint is that even in a narrow size AND those expensive Nordstrom heel inserts, my heel slips out when I walk. ARGH.
December 12th, 2007 at 11:45 am
That silver plattie is to DIE FOR!
December 12th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
The issue for me with these skyscrapers is pant length. HELLO fashion designers–if you are creating 4 inch heels and don’t want us to wear high waters–please put some hems on those pants or add those inches to the length of the pant. If you are short you can hem the pants. If you’re tall you are simply out of luck wearing these shoes with pants. I’m only 5′8″–but I have a heckuva time finding any pants I can wear with heels. I’m not much of a skirt girl with my tree trunk legs. Ugh!
December 12th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
I dunno, I guess I just don’t find these shoes “super fabulous.” As works of design and art, sure; as something to walk in, hell no. I think of them as a light version of footbinding, to be honest. Same reasons, same effects…
A shoe has to be functional and beautiful to me. My feet deserve better after all they go through.
December 15th, 2007 at 8:49 am
My only problem with platforms is that they are next to impossible to drive in. You can’t accurately measure where your foot ends and the pedal begins. Not safe.
Having said that, I think all three pairs you’ve selected are super fabulous! A++ for style.
December 30th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
This discussion proves that fashion is highly subjective. We all have our own opinions.
Personally, I think platforms are hideous. It’s certainly not because I don’t do heels; I live in pumps and stilettos. For someone petite like me, clunky platform shoes make my feet look huge. I much prefer a delicate heel. 2 inches are good… 4 inches is good, but no platforms for me thanks.
December 30th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Absolutely Sarah. Fashion is subjective, but also an adaptation to the eye. It happens over and over again, that we will go as far as loathing something in the beginning but end up liking it before too long. Or never liking it. It’s excellent that fashion offers more variety each season, precisely for this reason. Horses for courses!