Origins and Evolution
Platform shoes strutted onto the scene in the 1960s, bringing more than just added height. These groovy wonders helped define a decade of fashion and self-expression, as if shoes got a rock 'n' roll makeover.
The history of platform shoes stretches back centuries. Ancient Greece saw them in theater, where actors wore elevated footwear to highlight their dramatics. In Asia and Europe, the chopines of Venetian women made them literally head and shoulders above the rest—a symbol of wealth and daring fashion choices.
Come the swinging 60s, platforms took on a new life. With mods turning shoe choices into art, platforms fit right in with the colorful, bold looks that jumped out of Britain's bustling fashion scene. The Beatles rocked Chelsea boots while trendy mods paired their snazzy suits with platform soles.
High-profile artists shoved footwear into the limelight, and suddenly platforms were a must-have. Television and music went hand in hand, throwing new styles into homes worldwide. Bright sneakers and their platform cousins became dance partners for those shaking it at discotheques or parading on city streets.
The latter half of the decade got experimental, mixing materials like nylon and polyester with leather, creating shoes as vivid as a technicolor television. Designers added cushioning and arch support for those long nights under the twinkling disco ball.
Sports leaped onto the bandwagon, reshaping shoe designs to mix function with flair. High tops became a basketball staple, while running shoes shaved off unnecessary weight for speed. Key brands like Adidas, Puma, and Nike got their footing, each stride establishing their legacy within the athletic and fashion world.
From rocking runways to starring on album covers, platforms were there, stomping through conventions and unwrapping a new era of style, all while managing to look superbly cool.
Cultural Impact and Influence
Platform shoes in the swinging 60s were more than just a fashion statement; they were a cultural phenomenon intertwined with the music scene and social revolution. As bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones dominated airwaves, their bold style choices, including platform shoes, became emblematic of a generation eager to push boundaries.
During the Mod movement, platform shoes served as a symbol of youthful rebellion and exuberance. The Mods, with their sharp suits and smooth moves, embraced platforms as part of their identity, merging music and fashion into a seamless expression of cool.
The influence of platform shoes extended to social movements. Women's liberation advocates stepped into platforms as they marched, defying conventional gender norms and asserting their independence. Platforms elevated not just their wearers, but also their voices, echoing the sentiment of empowerment that grew louder throughout the decade.
Icons like Twiggy and The Supremes helped solidify the presence of platform shoes in fashion, strutting on runways and stages in towering styles that captivated the public eye. These shoes weren't just about walking taller; they were about standing out in a world that was rapidly shifting.
As television brought these styles into homes across the globe, platform shoes became emblematic of a new cultural zeitgeist, blurring lines between music, fashion, and social change. They were worn by rock stars and rebels alike, transcending mere functionality to become artifacts of a generation defined by its desire to break free from tradition.
Platform shoes of the 1960s were more than just footwear; they were a symbol of a transformative era. Their legacy continues to resonate, reminding us of a time when fashion, music, and social change walked hand in hand.
Popular Mod Shoe Designs:
- Desert boots
- Chelsea boots
- Loafers
Key Trends:
- Pointed toe shoes
- Platform shoes
- Brightly colored sneakers
"The platform shoe is so prevalent across geographies, time periods, and styles. It was impossible not to include it as a typology."– Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator in MoMA's Department of Architecture and Design
- Antonelli P. The Prevalence of Platform Shoes in Fashion History. MoMA Department of Architecture and Design. 2018.
- Kimel M. The Evolution of Platform Shoes in Modern Fashion. Los Angeles Fashion Archives. 1939.
- Ferragamo S. The Rainbow Platform: A Judy Garland Inspiration. Ferragamo Fashion House Records. 1938.