Chunky Heels and Platform Shoes

The history of shoes on the platform has more than one century, it was used by residents of Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece. Such shoes had nothing to do with fashion, its purpose was purely practical. In antiquity, and even many centuries later, the platform served to protect the feet from dirt, as well as to increase the height of a human figure, in connection with which it was used by actors in theaters.

The heel is considerably “younger” than the platform, but his invention is also connected with the solution of practical problems: he had to stop shoes from slipping in stirrups — in the 14th century horse riding was the nobility's favorite pastime. In addition, in ancient times, shoes with heels or on a high platform was an indicator of a person’s high social status.

For a long time, only men's shoes were made with heels. And only when women began to wear shoes with heels, her role became predominantly aesthetic: the heel changed the posture and changed the gait.

The appearance of the world of fashion shoes on the platform was in the 30s of the twentieth century. It was then that the first women's shoes on the platform, created by designers, appeared.

For a short time, the high heels returned to men's fashion in the 70s of the 20th century, when stars of show business flaunted in platform shoes and high heels. In general, such shoes at the time were very fashionable to wear, as well as flared pants.

For the first time platform shoes and thick high heels became fashionable in the 1970s. A striking example of such a fashion was the film Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta in the lead role.

Until now, such a style of shoes - on a thick heel and platform - is firmly associated with hippie time and the period of popularity of glam rock.

The high platform and heels were remembered again only in the 90s of the last century. The return of fashion was vividly demonstrated by the soloists of the Spice Girls group, whose manner of dressing made an indelible impression on female fans who certainly wanted to be like their idols.

The popularity of shoes with high heels and platform in the 90s is associated with the name of the designer Vivienne Westwood. Her shoes have a very high platform. So, at the fashion show in 1993, the extremely high platform shoes caused the fall of the girl showing them.

The fashionable trend of 2015 was shoes with high, “tractor” soles and thick heels. Such styles were presented at the show of Stella McCartney. The highlight of the collection was exactly the grooved sole and platform, which was combined with a variety of color, texture and type of riding shoes.

Shoes with a massive heel with a platform can be presented in several versions:

Heel height:

• with high heels (over ten centimeters),
• with a heel of medium height
• low heel (up to five centimeters).

By type of platform:

• with hidden platform
• with a platform in the color of shoes,
• with a platform of various textures.

By texture and type of platform:

• corkboard
• wooden,
• rope,
• from synthetic materials
• other textures.

And also decorated:

• patterned
• rhinestones,
• beads and other decorative elements.

By the nature of the soles:

• smooth
• ribbed (grooved, "tractor").

By heel type:

• heel brick,
• wedge heel
• heel-column
• Cowboy
• Flared heel, widening down,
• a glass,
• spliced ​​heel
• non-standard.

The reason for the popularity of shoes with a thick heel and a platform was the combination of relative comfort and showiness in these shoes. Shoes with a powerful heel with a platform are much more convenient than shoes with a heel of a pin of similar height, because at the expense of the platform the rise of the foot can be lower while maintaining the correct height of the shoe, which means that the legs will not tire so quickly.

What to wear with shoes on a massive heel and platform, and what should not?

Well combined shoes with a platform and a thick heel with trousers. The width of the pants can be different and the choice of a particular model depends on the features of the figure and on the style of shoes. A great option - flared trousers (remember the 70s).

Such shoes are nicely combined with pretty fluffy midi skirts (choose high-heeled shoes). Suitable shoes on the platform and the skirt-year, which is considered the retro-style.

High-waisted shorts can make a nice ensemble with shoes on the platform. Short dresses with a full skirt will also be a great option. A miniskirt or a short trapeze dress can also be useful.

An option for those who like to be original is a combination of platform sandals with socks and golf. This combination was presented at fashion shows.

You can build your image as a stylization: rich material for this kind of incarnations gives us all the same 70s: the number of options seems to be inexhaustible.

There are various styles of shoes on the platform and with a steady heel. Here are some of them:

• model "Lita" (Lita). Lace-up ankle boots with a high heel (12 cm) and a high hidden platform (Jeffrey Campbell brand);

• Scully model from the same brand. Shoes with a heel at fifteen and with a platform of five centimeters and with a smooth sole;

• Shoes model "Mary Jane" can also be on the platform and with a heel. A characteristic feature of this model is the presence of a strap on the rise and rounded toe shoes. The name of these shoes gave the name of the character in the comic book. Initially, the model assumed a flat sole;

• Clogs - shoes on a wooden platform with a massive heel. The joints of the top of the shoe with the platform are decorated with metal decorative elements similar to rivets. Footwear of this type is associated with traditional footwear of the peoples of several European countries. Naturally, traditional clogs did not have a high heel, this is already a fantasy of modern designers. Sometimes these shoes are called sabo - like French shoes, which are completely made of wood;

• espadrilles - this is how the traditional Catalonia footwear with a fabric upper and rope sole was originally called. Now fashionable shoes with the same name can be not only on the wedge or just on the platform, some models are made with a thick heel.

With a platform and a thick heel can be:

• sandals;
• shoes with ankle strap;
• shoes with an open heel and an open toe;
• with open toe;
• with riding type boats;
• Ankle boots - a hybrid of shoes and half boots. Ankle boots with a high, steady, thick heel and platform - an option that is now in trend. Such shoes can be worn not only in the off-season, but also in summer. Summer ankle boots are made with an open heel and toe, as well as with inserts of perforated, openwork, mesh materials;
• creepers is another type of shoe that received a heel in the process of “evolution”. Initially, the so-called men's shoes of a special type with thick soles. Now we see on sale a large number of styles of creepers for women, including those with heels, which can be of different heights;
• oxfords. Since women began to wear oxfords, designers began to offer models of this shoe with a heel and a platform.

Almost all types of shoes in the list can be on the tractor soles. Thus, the arsenal of images with similar shoes in various styles of clothing becomes very wide.