Womens Platform Shoes

Posts Tagged ‘All The Rage’

Wouldn't you know it? As soon as millions of gullible women learn how to walk in uncomfortable platform shoes and have healed from too many sprained ankles, the style changes.

The newest style this year, according to several fashion "experts", are ballerina flats.

Go figure. It happens every time.

I remember when platform shoes were called wedgies! I hate to disillusion anyone, but you walk in platform shoes like you do any other high heeled shoe. Either you can walk in heels without looking like a duck or you can't. Picture a cross dresser learning to walk in his first pair of high heeled shoes.

Women, or men for that matter, who walk with their feet splayed out like the Aflac duck are going to have a real problem wearing either high heels or platform shoes. Have you watched any of the tv shows where they teach men to sit, stand and walk like a woman? It's pretty hilarious. Sorry, I know it isn't their fault because they have to undo years of walking and sitting like a man and high heels make it very difficult. On the other hand, some women never get the hang of it either.

Platform shoes were all the rage last year but I go so far back that we used to call them wedgies! Can you imagine the howls of laughter if you called them that today? I didn't even know what a modern day wedgie was until my son explained it to me. Believe me, I won't call them wedgies any longer. I know, call me an old foggie but it's like everyone says, wait long enough and any fashion will come around again.

The ballerina flat shoes are a perfect example. I wonder what will happen to all those platform shoes? Goodwill or the Volunteers of America could come out the winner, they will just have to find someone who actually want them. Or you can bury them in the back of your closet and wait. Sooner or later you can drag them out again and be at the height of fashion.

It is hard to believe, but the ugliest footwear ever invented all happened in the first twelve years of my life. Funnier still, is that I owned a pair representing each sad fad.

I was born in 1975, long before the cute, felt-bottomed slippers adorning today's tots were even around. Back then they still made those stiff, white leather booties. Supposedly orthopedic, they were a cross between high-top sneakers and construction boots. They inevitably cut into baby and toddlers' fat little calves. Those were my first shoes, until I grew out of them and got a small pair of suede loafers. I was two. Who thought suede loafers were appropriate for a toddler? They looked like burned hotdog buns. Small for my age, with exceptionally tiny feet, I wore those until I was six.

Finally, in preparation for the first-grade mini-marathon, they were replaced with some turquoise running shoes that fastened with Velcro. Kangaroos I believe they were called. If the sticky sound of Velcro weren't annoying enough, the tiny pocket for change was the last tacky straw. I can still remember standing in the lunch line trying to fish out a quarter while everyone behind me grumbled and rolled their eyes.

A short time later, my parents decided the Velcro was preventing me from learning to tie a bow, so they upgraded me to some purple platform running shoes that had rainbow shoelaces. At that point it was the early 1980's and creative lacing was all the rage. One shoe needed to be laced backwards and tied by the toes, the other one was a free-for-all, so long as it looked weird. Pin a handful of friendship pins on them and you were good to go. Puffy stickers didn't hurt either.

I loved these shoes until one day when we were playing kickball and I had the best kick of my life. I was trotting around the bases, each squishy step carrying me closer to home base, when one of my shoes turned sideways and I flipped onto the pavement. A mean fourth grader flung the ball at my scraped up head and I was out. My love for those shoes instantly turned to hate.

Then there were jelly shoes. Fluorescent yellow or hot pink plastic. They were cheap enough that every girl had at least five pairs, and best of all, they coordinated with the jelly bracelets we all collected from gumball machines and carnivals. Jelly shoes smelled like Barbie dolls (well, at first they did) and they had a little bit of a heel. How grown-up! They also served as extreme sweat catchers. I can remember taking them off and literally pouring out the pool of sweat. As we said back then, Groty to the max!

Shortly after the jelly shoe trend, I became a preteen and significantly choosier about my attire. But the piles of photos of my young self won't let me forget the fashion faux pas of my past. At least I wasn't the only one wearing those crazy shoes. And I have plenty of pictures to prove it.

Whereas history sometimes repeats itself, so does fashion. Women's shoe styles are no exception. We are finally moving from the fuzzy, over-sized boot phase into retro shoe styles, and this is long overdue.

Animal Prints

Leopard, zebra and cheetah prints are all the rage. Nothing says sexy' like a dead cat or horse on your feet I guess. I might knock it, but I do have to admit that I saw a pair of zebra heels at Target that I fell in love with. Some brands which are embracing this comeback include Steve Madden, Guess, Baby Phat, and Dolce and Gabbana.

Polka-dots

Polka-dotted shoes were huge back in the day. They scream "housewife". While some are hideous, there are quite a number I found online that are extremely cute. Just choose wisely! Pinupgirlclothing.com has a good selection of these.

Peep-toes

Peep-toes are shoes, usually high heels, which have a small opening for your toes to peek through. Mary Janes are cashing in on these big time. Some now have over-sized buckles and exposed stitching to accent the shoe. So show off that pedicure of yours with some peep-toes, ladies! They are too cute to pass up.

Pinup Slingbacks

These comeback kids are shoes, sometimes featuring the peep-toe, which have a strap going around the back of the foot. Many have bows and concealed platforms to boot. Elle, Easy Street, Franco Sarto, Style&Co., and many more shoe companies have these lined up on the assembly line, just waiting to be filled.

Mules

Mules are backless shoes which are an increasingly popular choice for men as well as women. They can be sporty, like mule sneakers, elegant, or they can land somewhere in between. Babygirl Inc., Fitzwell Meredith, and Dansko Merrie make a good number of these.

Stilettos

Stiletto heeled shoes are those which are very high and very thin. They are also a pain to walk in. For a big variety look for the Flashdance brand.

Pumps

Lastly we have the good old fashion pumps. Sparkles seem to be "in" with these. The glitzier, the better. Personally, I just don't get it. BabygirlInc. has these in stock.

If you are looking to help bring back these styles by purchasing a pair, just be sure to choose wisely. While some of these are adorable, they can also be a killer on your feet. There's nothing sexy about a pinup shoe with a bunion-covered foot in it.