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Platform Shoes - Origins and History
Platform shoes have been around since the ancient Greek and Roman times. Characters in the Greek theater wore shoes with platforms to increase their height and indicate their importance over other characters. During the 16th Century, platforms were popular among courtesans and other paid companions of Venetian nobleman. These shoes were thought to give indication of a courtesan’s high-born status by elevating them above their normal height, providing a visual example of their high-born heritage.
In the 18th Century, Europeans wore platform shoes to keep their feet from the dirt, debris, and general nasty conditions of city streets. The Japanese form of platforms which is called a geta is thought to have been developed and used for similar reasons. In fact, during the Qing dynasty of China, women’s platformed footwear bore a striking resemblance to Venetian platforms called chopine that were well-known in the 16th Century. Even Roman and Chinese soldiers have been shown to historically wear a form of platform shoe meant to help them tower over enemies in battle.
Platform shoes were seen again in America and Europe during the 30’s, 40’s, and even the 50’s. However, the height of interest in platform heels were seen in the 1970’s with the introduction of disco and glam rock. During this time, young teens and women in their early twenties were the most common demographic to wear the shoes, which are also known as lifts. During the glam rock era of the late 70’s and early 80’s, male rock stars usually wore platform boots as part of their whole look.
During the 70’s and 80’s, most platform shoes were worn not to look taller, but rather to attract so much attention through outrageously high or gaudy shoes. Platforms were available during this period in the form of boots, sandals, and sneakers. Sandals were tailored for both dressy occasions and for everyday wear, all with the added height of platforms.
Platforms have experienced some kind of a rebirth since the turn of the millennium with interesting new materials and styles such as Lucite, and even children’s shoes with platforms. In fact, many designs and styles considered taboo during the height of platform fashion in the 70’s are now all the rage. Children’s shoes, for example, seem to be a favorite with designs available featuring a host of childhood characters and television shows depicted on the heels. These shoes would have been unimaginable in the 70’s and 80’s, but are increasingly popular in today’s market. |
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| This article was published on Friday 06 January, 2012. | |||||||||
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