When I saw that platform Uggs were deemed ‘It girl’ items, my suspicions were officially confirmed.
Most of the shoes that were tossed aside to the ‘never again’ pile of trends had been revived based on one common, elevated factor: platform status.
Loafers Uggs and Crocs. Each was the shoe of its day (though arguably, loafers are timeless) but over the last few years, their popularity has skyrocketed thanks to a little height.
Crocs Peak
Once the forgotten shoe, Crocs made a comeback in 2017, largely thanks to their high fashion debut with Balencia (before it had earned a sour public taste) in ultra-platform fashion.
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For the first time in Paris, everyone was talking about Crocs. Today’s Croc’s collections have seen numerous platform styles, including the Classic Crush Clog that you’ll find on most streetwear fashionistas.
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Loafers take on new heighs
Loafers had a similar resurrection in 2021 and 2022, but rose to essential status in 2023. The unsung hero of last year’s shoes graced Prada and Bottega Veneta collections, was all over Pinterest and became part of the supermodel uniform, as seen on the likes of Kendall Jenner.
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The common denominator? Platform flare.
The rise of Uggs
Platform Uggs hopped onto the scene late last year, largely thanks to Bella Hadid and Kiki Palmer’s influence.
Deemed the key element of the latest ‘VanillaCore’ trend, Platform Uggs filled the void for those missing simpler times in fashion (circa 2011-2014).
The chunky aesthetic was enough to get Uggs onto TikTok’s radar, which soon led them to the ‘It Girl’s’ essentials list.
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So, can the ‘platform factor’ save any shoe? In 2023, it could.
Historically, platform styles have served many purposes— 70s disco dominating, 90s rebellion, and as the ultimate shock accents of the 2000s. However, they were usually reserved for boots, par high fashion plays.
In the 2020s though, platforms took on a more accessible look that saw their surge into mainstream fashion across styles.
Why the platform craze?
Perhaps it’s our fascination with chunky footwear, or maybe the empowering energy we embrace when our shoes are larger than life. maybe it’s because we all want to stand a little taller.
Some experts suggest that our fascination with platforms is liked to dopamine dressing, adding an element of thrill that boosts our happy hormones.
Oversized fashion became hugely trendy especially during the pandemic’s comfort couture, as we saw comfort as necessary for fashion as structure.
With comfort, dopamine and the beauty of ‘the big shoe’ in mind, it’s little wonder that platform styles have brought some of our favourite trends back to life.
Platforms to the rescue? The heights are endless.
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Feature Images:
Left: @hunnygloss shared by @crocsza/Instagram
Right: @ugg_sa/Instagram
