Where did platforms originate?

According to Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator at the Bata Shoe Museum, platform shoes go at least as far back as Ancient Greece. “Aphrodite was sometimes depicted wearing them. They were also worn by the Roman women, and platforms remained in fashion until the late 16th century in both the Iberian and Italian peninsulas,” she says, highlighting that some platforms in Venice reached as high as 22 inches. Since then, however, they’ve fallen in and out of favor over decades. They became unpopular in the early 17th century and only came back into fashion in the 1930s. Then, they remained popular until the late 1940s and came back in style in the 1970s, were somewhat popular in the 1990s, and were once again popular in the mid-2000s—hence the mélange of aesthetics that have reappeared today.

How do you style a pair of platform shoes?

Platforms can be styled in many different ways depending on the exact shoe style and your wardrobe, and the platform shoe you choose should be something that you can easily mix into your wardrobe. “Don’t get pulled by a trend or a sale,” says Fink. “Stay true to yourself and your style.” So if you’re big on jeans, T-shirts, and low-heeled shoes, go for Reformation’s Agathea Chunky Loafer or Tory Burch’s Fisherman Platform Espadrille . On the other hand, if you’re looking to beef up your partywear, go for Mach & Mach’s Double Bow Crystal-Embellished Satin Platform Pumps or something similar.

The 11 Best Platform Shoes of 2023

Collage of platform shoes we recommend on a floral background — Stocksy / Courtesy

There’s no denying that platform shoes are back in style, what with the myriad of options available. And really, what’s not to love? They add just the right amount of heft to delicate skirts, flowing dresses, and tailored suits alike. “After years spent inside in comfort-focused clothing and footwear, consumers are ready to go all out in their forms of dress but are not parting completely with some added comfort,” Amelia Ansink, Senior Strategist of Accessories at trend forecasting agency Fashion Snoops, tells Byrdie. “Platforms speak to this happy medium. They’re distinctly more comfortable than other heels like stilettos but still pack a powerful punch.”

They’re also practical, as they offer more support than stilettos, which aren’t good for your feet (or sense of balance, to say the least). “Platforms can be better in certain instances than thin heels because they give a greater surface area to spread out body weight,” says New York City–based podiatrist Dr. Jacqueline Sutera, DPM.

Standout platform silhouettes run the gamut in terms of style, Ansink says, from metallic “distinctly Studio 54–esque” pumps to edgy loafers; sculptural Mary Janes; and sleek, ’90s-inspired boots—all of which you can find in this roundup of the best platform shoes to buy and wear throughout the year.

01 of 11

Best Splurge: Bottega Veneta Mostra Leather Mary Jane Platform Pumps

Buy on Net-a-Porter

Bottega Veneta brought the Mary Jane pump to a new level in its Fall/Winter 2022 collection with these Mostra Leather Pumps. We love them not only for their exaggerated take on the traditional style but for their sculptural, curved heels. They make a statement, which is why we think they could be worth the splurge.

Size Range: IT35–42 | Heel Height: 6.3–6.7 inches | Platform Height: 2.4 inches

02 of 11

Best Mules: Proenza Schouler Forma Leather Platform Mule Sandals

Buy on Neiman Marcus $367

Proenza Schouler mastered platform mule sandals with its Forma style. The open-toe shoes are made from supple leather and feature thick, five-inch block heels. Wear them with a pair of barrel or cigarette trousers and a T-shirt or a breezy midi dress.

Size Range: EU35–41 | Heel Height: 5.3 inches | Platform Height: Not listed

03 of 11

Best Clogs: Aeyde Bibi Clogs

Buy on Farfetch.com Buy on Shopbop.com

What is a platform shoes roundup without a pair of clogs? Laurel Pantin, who is the editor-at-large of the Austin-based luxury boutique ByGeorge recently included these in her newsletter, Earl Earl.

Size Range: EU35–42 | Heel Height: 2.25 inches | Platform Height: 0.75 inches

04 of 11

Best Open-Toe: Swedish Hasbeens Merci Sandals

Buy on Amazon Buy on Zappos

If you thought you’d retired your Swedish Hasbeens a decade ago or longer, then think again. This is a perfect opportunity for their resurgence, especially if you’re looking for open-toe shoes with the reinforcement of ankle straps. Wear yours with breezy dresses in the summer and with jeans in the fall. As the weather cools, you can pull a Sarah Jessica Parker and add a pair of socks.

Size Range: 7–11 | Heel Height: 3.5 inches | Platform Height: 1.25 inches

05 of 11

Best Espadrilles: Castañer Chiara 80 Canvas Wedge Espadrilles

CastaÃ±er Chiara 80 Canvas Wedge Espadrilles — Net-A-Porter

Buy on Amazon Buy on Net-a-Porter

Castañer’s espadrilles have been worn by so many stylish women throughout history, including Grace Kelly, Penélope Cruz, and Laura Harrier. The Chiara, specifically, is among the brand’s tallest platform shoes, made from durable canvas and set on woven three-inch wedges. Be sure to knot the ankle ties in a bow when you wear them with breezy summer dresses and skirts.

Size Range: IT35–41 | Heel Height: 3 inches | Platform Height: 1 inch

06 of 11

Best Fisherman Sandals: Tory Burch Fisherman Platform Espadrille

Tory Burch Fisherman Espadrille Platform — Tory Burch

Buy on Amazon Buy on Toryburch.com

These platform fisherman sandals are perhaps the most practical and responsible option on this list. They’re essentially flatforms, which means they have very thick soles that are equally thick at the front and back so the feet are almost flat inside and have the most space to distribute your body weight. We love them down to the jute and leather materials, which are perfect to round out your simple jeans and white T-shirt look in the spring.

Size Range: 5–11 | Heel/Platform Height: 1.7 inches

07 of 11

Best Loafers: Reformation Agathea Chunky Loafer

Buy on Net-a-Porter Buy on Reformation

Reformation reimagined your standard penny loafers with small but sturdy lug sole platforms, in various colors and prints. (The leopard is Gigi Hadid’s favorite.) Aside from the aesthetic features, these shoes are made with Recouro-Regenerated leather (or a mix of recycled leather scraps, natural latex, and plant materials) as a part of the brand’s ethos.

Size Range: 5–11 | Heel/Platform Height: 1.4 inches

08 of 11

Best Metallic: Mango Heeled Sandal with Strass Strap

Buy on Mango.com

If you identify more with Carrie Bradshaw than you do with SJP, then these are the shoes for you. The towering metallic and bedazzled platform pumps are perfect for your more festive affairs.

Size Range: 5–10 | Heel Height: 4.72 inches | Platform Height: Not listed

09 of 11

Best Embellished: Mach & Mach Double Bow Crystal-Embellished Satin Platform Pumps

Buy on Net-a-Porter

Tbilisi-based brand Mach & Mach has become a smash hit over its audacious crystal-embellished pointed stilettos. And now, the brand is giving its Cinderella aesthetic an edge by offering a platform iteration. Show them off with your best minidress.

Size Range: IT35–42 | Heel Height: 5.5 inches | Platform Height: 2 inches

10 of 11

Best Mary Janes:

Charles & Keith Patent Platform Mary Jane Pumps — Charles & Keith

Buy on Charleskeith.com

Charles & Keith nailed these affordable Mary Jane platforms. For comparison, they’re slightly taller than Larroudé’s super-shiny lug sole option but feature angular square toes, glossy block heels, and silver hardware for a fraction of the price.

Size Range: 4–11 | Heel Height: 4.3 inches | Platform Height: Not listed

11 of 11

Best Double-Strap Mary Jane: Nodaleto Bulla Babies Patent Leather Pumps

Buy on Mytheresa.com

As we’ve seen the return of ballet flats and Mary Janes, there’s also been a rise in platform Mary Jane variations, Ansink points out. Example: Nodaleto’s Bulla Babies platform pumps, which the brand describes as “an anthem to childhood and adolescence.” They have two straps and rest on curved, 3.5-inch block heels and an inch-high platform. They’re perfect for everything from jeans to dresses.

Final Verdict

Stuart Weitzman’s Skyhigh Ankle-Strap Platform Pumps, which come in several patent leather colors from black and nude to red and white, are the perfect party platforms. Style-wise, they appear as a more versatile version of Versace’s TikTok-famous Medusa Aevitas pumps, which are over six inches tall and retail for double the price. For a similar style that costs a fraction of the price, there’s Mango’s Block Heel Shoes, offered exclusively in glossy black and nude, which will go with everything from mini skirt suits to straight-leg trousers.

Meet the Expert

Amelia Ansink is a senior strategist of accessories at the trend forecasting agency Fashion Snoops.
Jacqueline Sutera, DPM, is a New York City–based podiatrist.
Angela Fink is a digital creator and fashion influencer.
Elizabeth Semmelhack is the Director and Senior Curator at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada.

What to Look for in a Pair of Platform Shoes

Timelessness vs. trendiness

“Any kind of sandal platform feels the most timeless, in my opinion, as this style seems to always find its way into collections, regardless of the season, thanks to its versatility,” Ansink says. On the other side of the spectrum, though, platform wedges have only recently come back in style, she points out. “Wedges seem to rotate in and out of trend cycles quicker than more established footwear like platforms, so I predict these shoes [will] have short-lived relevance [this time around too].”

Budget

Fink recommends creating a budget, factoring in the above. “If you will wear this item for seasons to come, raise your budget. If this feels like a brief moment for you, then lower your budget,” she says.

Design

Although platforms are better for your feet than a narrow pair of stilettos, Sutera says these shoes can still have their drawbacks—in other words, not all platforms are created equal. In looking for a pair, consider the true heel height, which is the distance between the heel and the toe rather than the floor and the heel. For the most accurate heel height, place the shoe on a flat surface or tabletop, then measure from the back and bottom of the heel to the point where the heel block connects to the front shoe seam.

In addition, make sure the shoes don’t feel too stiff, as a lack of flexibility at the ball of the foot could cause extreme discomfort. The best pairs will have a supple leather lining or a patented foam cushion for shock absorption, like those offered by Larroudé.

FAQ

Where did platforms originate?

According to Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator at the Bata Shoe Museum, platform shoes go at least as far back as Ancient Greece. “Aphrodite was sometimes depicted wearing them. They were also worn by the Roman women, and platforms remained in fashion until the late 16th century in both the Iberian and Italian peninsulas,” she says, highlighting that some platforms in Venice reached as high as 22 inches. Since then, however, they’ve fallen in and out of favor over decades. They became unpopular in the early 17th century and only came back into fashion in the 1930s. Then, they remained popular until the late 1940s and came back in style in the 1970s, were somewhat popular in the 1990s, and were once again popular in the mid-2000s—hence the mélange of aesthetics that have reappeared today.
How do you style a pair of platform shoes?

Platforms can be styled in many different ways depending on the exact shoe style and your wardrobe, and the platform shoe you choose should be something that you can easily mix into your wardrobe. “Don’t get pulled by a trend or a sale,” says Fink. “Stay true to yourself and your style.” So if you’re big on jeans, T-shirts, and low-heeled shoes, go for Reformation’s Agathea Chunky Loafer or Tory Burch’s Fisherman Platform Espadrille. On the other hand, if you’re looking to beef up your partywear, go for Mach & Mach’s Double Bow Crystal-Embellished Satin Platform Pumps or something similar.

Why Trust Byrdie

Hayley Prokos, Byrdie’s Associate Fashion Commerce Editor, wrote this article. She researched the best platform shoes of the season and interviewed a mix of fashion and foot experts to explore subtopics such as the aesthetic design, physical comfort, potential health hazards, and longstanding history of platform shoes.