The 2018-2023 footwear trend reviving thick-soled platforms—from Spice Girls-era chunky heels to Converse platform sneakers—that added height, edge, and 1990s-2000s nostalgia to modern fashion.
Origins
Platform shoes—footwear with thick soles elevating the entire foot—experienced cycles of popularity throughout the 20th century (1970s disco platforms, 1990s Spice Girls era). The late 2010s revival began in May 2018 as Y2K fashion nostalgia accelerated:
- Runway influence: Prada, Gucci, Marc Jacobs showed chunky platforms
- Buffalo London revival: Iconic 1990s platform sneakers resurged
- Converse platforms: Chuck Taylor platform versions went viral
- Dr. Martens platforms: Jadon boots became Gen Z staple
The trend aligned with:
- Y2K aesthetics (2018-2022)
- Chunky footwear movement (Dad sneakers, combat boots)
- Height without discomfort (Platforms vs. stilettos)
- Statement footwear culture (Shoes as outfit focal point)
Platform Categories
The trend encompassed diverse styles:
Platform sneakers:
- Converse Chuck 70 platforms (2-inch sole)
- Buffalo London (original 1990s brand revival)
- Nike Vandal platforms
- Vans platform Old Skools
Platform boots:
- Dr. Martens Jadon (8-eye platform)
- Combat boots with chunky soles
- Chelsea boots platform versions
- Thigh-high platform boots (bold statement)
Platform heels:
- Chunky platform Mary Janes
- Platform sandals (summer 2019-2021)
- Platform mules
- Retro platform pumps
Platform Crocs:
- Balenciaga platform Crocs ($850)
- Regular platform Crocs (2021+)
- Customizable platform clogs
Dr. Martens Jadon Phenomenon
The Dr. Martens Jadon boot became the platform trend’s defining item:
- Launch: 2018 (platform version of classic 1460 boot)
- Sole height: 1.5-inch platform sole
- Price: $190-200
- Target demo: Gen Z, alternative fashion
Cultural impact:
- TikTok styling videos (millions of views)
- “How to break in Jadon boots” guides
- E-girl/alt fashion essential
- Sold out constantly (2019-2021)
The Jadon represented platform boots’ accessibility—recognizable brand, wearable height, versatile styling.
Converse Platform Revolution
Converse Chuck Taylor platforms became unexpected bestsellers:
- Chuck 70 Platform: Classic high-top with 2-inch sole
- Platform Ox: Low-top platform version
- Price: $80-90 (affordable designer-look)
Appeal:
- Elevated classic sneaker
- Comfortable height boost
- Casual outfit elevation
- Instagram-friendly (distinctive silhouette)
Fashion influencers wore platform Converse with everything—dresses, jeans, skirts—making them wardrobe staples rather than statement pieces.
Styling Evolution
Platform shoes styling progressed:
2018-2019: Statement piece
- Platforms as outfit focal point
- Paired with simple clothing
- Height as primary appeal
2020-2021: Proportion play
- Wide-leg pants + platforms (elongation)
- Mini skirts + chunky platforms (high-low)
- Oversized clothing + platforms (grounding)
2022-2023: Everyday normal
- Platforms as default footwear
- No special styling required
- Casual to formal settings
Height and Comfort Appeal
Platforms offered advantages over traditional heels:
Benefits:
- Height without arch strain: Entire foot elevated equally
- Stability: Wider base than stilettos
- Comfort: Weight distributed across sole
- Confidence: Tall without pain
Fashion media championed platforms as “the comfortable heel alternative,” appealing to height-seekers who rejected painful footwear.
Market Saturation
Platform shoes flooded retail:
Designer:
- Prada: Platform sneakers, $650-850
- Stella McCartney: Elyse platform brogues, $595
- Gucci: Platform loafers, $750+
Contemporary:
- Dr. Martens: Jadon, Sinclair platforms ($190-230)
- Converse: Platform Chuck Taylors ($80-90)
- Steve Madden: Affordable platform heels ($70-120)
Fast fashion:
- Zara, H&M: Platform sandals, boots ($40-80)
- Dolls Kill, Urban Outfitters: Alternative platform styles
- Amazon: Generic platform boots ($30-60)
Vintage:
- 1990s Buffalo platforms on Depop, eBay
- Authentic Y2K platforms commanded premium prices
Buffalo London Revival
Buffalo London—1990s platform sneaker brand—experienced full resurrection:
- Original brand: Founded 1979, peaked 1990s (Spice Girls wore them)
- 2018 comeback: Reissued classic platform sneakers
- Price: $120-200 for authentic vintage styles
- Cultural capital: Owning real Buffalos = fashion credibility
Gen Z discovered Buffalo through vintage shopping and brand reissues, making 1990s club-kid platforms cool again.
Practical Challenges
Platform shoes posed real issues:
Common problems:
- Tripping hazards: Thick soles catching on stairs, curbs
- Ankle rolling: Platform height + uneven surfaces
- Weight: Heavy footwear, leg fatigue
- Driving difficulty: Platform boots + pedals = dangerous
Solutions:
- Starting with moderate heights (1-2 inches)
- Choosing stable platforms (wide bases)
- Practice walking before wearing out
TikTok featured “platform shoe fails” alongside “how to walk in platforms” tutorials.
Alternative/E-Girl Culture
Platform boots became essential to specific aesthetics:
- E-girl style: Platform boots + pleated skirts + chains
- Goth/alternative: Black platform boots staple
- Grunge revival: Combat boots with platforms
- Punk aesthetic: Platform creepers, boots
Platform footwear signaled subcultural affiliation while being mainstream-accessible.
Staying Power
Platform shoes showed sustained relevance:
- 2018-2023+: Five years of market dominance
- 830 million+ views: Ongoing styling content
- Sales growth: Dr. Martens reported platform styles as top sellers
- Permanent category: Retailers stock platforms year-round
By 2023, platforms had transitioned from trend to foundational footwear category.
Legacy
The platform shoe revival demonstrated Y2K nostalgia’s power, comfort culture’s influence, and fashion’s 20-year cycle (1990s-2000s returning in 2018-2020s). Platforms also showed how functional advantages (height without pain) could drive trend adoption and longevity.
Sources:
- Vogue: “Platform Shoes Are Back” (2018)
- Footwear News: “Dr. Martens Platform Boots Sales Surge” (2020)
- The Guardian: “The return of the platform shoe” (2019)