Flatforms, platforms, wedges— are you for or against them? What do you think about the word "flatform?
A flatform (and I didn’t make this word up) is a cross between flats and a platform wedge, and they are popping up (or down) at Prada, Chanel, Philip Lim and many other design houses. What do you think of this shoe? Is it realistic? Cute? Ugly? And last season we saw a resurgence of platforms and wedges in many bright colors. Here are some of the most interesting new shapes + styles.
Loeffler Randall for Suno. I want all of them.
Vivienne Westwood for Melissa. Vivienne made the rocking horse shoe famous and has been using this sole long before everyone else. God save the queen of punk!
3.1 Philip Lim Flatform sandals, the real deal.
Derek Lam Stacked Platforms.
Lanvin, TopShop, Chloe.
Chloe, Won Hundred, Friis.
Nicholas Kirkwood.
Would you wear any of these?
Jun 21, 2011, 09.26 PMby flowergirl22
May 26, 2011, 04.00 PMby sianysiany
No no no to flatforms. They look too much like orthopedic shoes to me.
Yes to wedges though! The ultimate comfy high heel (if there ever was one).
May 25, 2011, 07.07 AMby urbanseamstress
Wedges and moderate platforms: love! My latest acquisition: http://www.nextgenerationshoes.fi/safari (the taupe 107). Compared to the selection in this article definitely not the boldest of choices, but they are oh so wearable, comfortable, and simply ideal for navigating the endless stretches of uneven granite cobble stones in the city I live, without getting stuck. For me, for platforms the limit is about 3 cm (in the front, obviously) — anything more and in my opinion they look clunky and awkward on just about anyone. As to flatforms: no, thank you very much. I think I may have owned a pair sometime in the nineties, but I wasn’t fond of them then and I haven’t got the slightest inclination to repeating the experiment.
May 22, 2011, 05.46 AMby Eline Coree
Ow I do love platforms. But none of these. http://www.demonia.co.uk/contents/media/t_demonia_dolly_91_blk.jpg http://www.demonia.co.uk/contents/media/demonia_electra_2042_blk.jpg
Though the above Demonia shoes and boots are the very topdesigns of my collection. They walk fabulously, I can walk on them all day. But that did take some practice ;)
May 20, 2011, 04.16 PMby Cristina Haines
My husband would kill me if I bought something like this. Yuck.
And I agree that they’re dangerous. I was a kid in the ‘90s, and I had a pair of platform dress sandals that I used to twist my ankle in all the time. Even now, I’m not the brightest on my feet, so…
May 20, 2011, 12.44 AMby antarestar
They remind me a little too much of the platform sneakers the Spice Girls used to wear.
1 Reply
May 24, 2011, 08.12 PMby alisondahl
Ugh, I really disliked those high heeled sneakers! As much as I dislike today’s so-called “hiking” boots with heels!
May 19, 2011, 08.21 PMby tinybows
I went through the platform thing last summer during my 90’s revival phase. Pretty sure it’s over. I do like them though. I think they are fun shoes to wear with the appropriate attire.
May 19, 2011, 06.26 PMby maluisa
Dangerous shoes, so no thank you. I would wear Derek Lam without platforms.
May 19, 2011, 03.26 PMby momsgotanewhobby
I really dislike these shoes. I like a wedge heel period, but not a huge platform along with it. In the late 70’s this is ALL that you could find in the store, In the early 80’s this thick semi-platform heel was also popular, again I did not like it at all. I have bad memories of polyester clothes and platform shoes:/
May 19, 2011, 02.53 PMby megrje
I had a pair of loafer platforms in college (late 90’s) that I thought were so clever, but I also totally almost twisted my ankles on them a couple times too. I don’t think I’ll go for them again now that I’m a mom, but less than 3 inches and I’m totally in.
May 19, 2011, 02.37 PMby bodicegoddess589
I got over the whole “platforms” thing in the ‘90s. I’m pretty disappointed that it’s back. Come on, people. Remember high school? Remember how STUPID we felt after?
2 Replies
May 19, 2011, 04.14 PMby heidilea
Those ones were slightly different. I loved the platform sandals I wore to my junior prom and the red sparkly ones I wore to senior, but those were heels. But I also remember the “platform sandals” where the top of the sole was narrower than the bottom. Hideous (though, in 2000, I bought I pair because I loved the tooled design on the slide, but loathed the spongy sole). These ones at least seem to be the same width foot-to-floor.
May 24, 2011, 08.16 PMby alisondahl
It’s interesting to discuss the prevalent trends from we were all growing up. If you are just a few years younger or older than the person next to you, you’ll probably have completely different views on what you’re nostalgic for and what you never want to see again! People my age are craving the early 90s, 90210 days— not me ;)
May 19, 2011, 01.27 PMby hannahbellarose
not comfortable and really ugly would’t wear any of them. really hate platforms !
May 19, 2011, 01.02 PMby debbie777
I would definitely wear the Derek Lam stacked platforms. The others are a bit extreme and not so pretty.
May 19, 2011, 11.33 AMby wendybirde
Yea for platforms and wedges…flatforms just look…unsexy!
May 19, 2011, 08.00 AMby ichigogirl
At 37 yrs old and 165 cm of hight I’d defenitely wear the last ones (Nicholas Kirkwood), and the ones in the bottom left of the first picture. None of them are what I’d call flatforms though, they all have heels! I don’t think you have to be a teenager to pull that off. Wedges with a platform, I’m wearing a pair right now :-)
1 Reply
May 19, 2011, 03.25 PMby tricksy
I would also definitely wear the Nicholas Kirkwoods, despite the fact that I normally hate platforms of any kind. The curved lines and proportions of these ones just seems so much more feminine and elegant than the norm.
May 19, 2011, 12.01 AMby ladyshape
I have always hated wedges, platforms and the like but recently purchased some massive black leather wedges with lots of silver buckles. They are hardcore and much more punk rock than seventies retro. I do not like cork. They sat unworn for ages but they have found their spiritual friends in a black minidress, Bebaroque nude Eliza tights (google Bebaroque – they are amazing Edinburgh designers), a multi-stranded chunky chain necklace, an army parka, neon orange nails and a big white sheepskin hat. It is my favourite outfit now and one that leads passing teenagers to fall about laughing. I take that as a good sign.
May 18, 2011, 11.02 PMby sweetpadee
I love the wedges and I love platforms. But the flatforms… They just remind me of the foam platform flip flops that were all the rage a few years ago. I think they look a little too tween-y. I will not be purchasing any flatforms, but will continue with the wedges and the platforms, they do wonders on my legs and bum and for my somewhat short stature.
May 18, 2011, 06.36 PMby mercedesgilces
Increible! me gustan estos zapatos diseñados de esta manera! no importa como luscan :)
May 18, 2011, 05.35 PMby knighttemplar
To me, The word ‘Flatform’ makes me think of pouring cement. Even so, the shoes are pretty.
May 18, 2011, 05.30 PMby India T.
platforms & wedges are the only heels my surgeon approved of after I had foot surgery, therefore I ♥ them! When occasionally mocked for my foot wear, I remember this & clomp on.
May 18, 2011, 03.51 PMby raving
Love wedges, heels tend to kill my feet shortly after I leave the house so either a sturdy heal or a wedge. Not so sure about flatforms, I don’t think they’re all that hideous, but I personally don’t need the extra height (short boyfriend also doesn’t appreciate me wearing any sort of heal). Whether they’re ugly or not I think the trend may be short lived so there’s not much need to worry.
May 18, 2011, 03.00 PMby ck-paz
Some of the way-out-there, crash-and-burn designs bring to mind the bound feet of Chinese women from way back when; tortured suffering. What might these designers be thinking and why?
May 18, 2011, 02.55 PMby gaviccaabri
This are the kind of shoes that makes rich the orthopedic doctor, you don’t even need to fall, just a bad step and you’ll get a harmed ankle.
May 18, 2011, 02.18 PMby micsy
I love shoes and i will wear some of then but a little plataform.