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As the saying goes, “the higher the heels, the closer to heaven.” This is the motto of many of the main fashion houses this season, as sky-high heels with prominent platforms began appearing—almost simultaneously—on runways across the globe. All throughout 2022, we saw celebrities, fashionistas, bloggers and style icons embracing the trend.

The look has been recently sported by Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Dua Lipa, Florence Pugh and new Hollywood IT girl, Wednesday’s Jenna Ortega. As one of the most searched for fashion terms online, platform heels are making their way into the streets and closets everywhere.

Dopamine Dressing

The literal rise of platform shoes happens to coincide with another phenomenon in fashion, dopamine dressing. A trending term on social media channels, this concept simply means to dress in a way that makes you happy.

When we dress for ourselves instead of others and wear things that truly bring us joy, we get caught up in a cycle of dopamine. We feel good about wearing our favorite clothing items or accessories and have a natural confidence because of it. Then, others take notice and perhaps we even get complimented on the items that we’re wearing. This further perpetuates the dopamine cycle, bringing more joy and happiness into the way we dress.

So, go ahead—wear that wild and crazy thing that you love! It’s all about seizing the moment to show off your style with what you’re wearing.

Saint Laurent

Women’s Sexy Almond Toe Quilted Platform Sandals, $1,150 via Bloomingdales.

Versace

Women’s Medusa Aevitas Ankle Strap Platform Pumps, $1,475 via Bloomingdales.

Giuseppe Zanotti

Women’s d’Orsay Embellished High Heel Platform Pumps, $1,550 via Bloomingdales.

Valentino

Women’s Block Heel Platform Pumps, $1,200 via Bloomingdales.

DOLCE & GABBANA

Keira Block Heel Platform Sandal, $995 via Nordstrom.

Gucci

GG Embellished Platform High Heel Sandals, $1,495 via Gucci.

Prada

Y2k

Within the last couple of years, there has been a huge revival of “Y2K” style—fashion trends from the early 2000s making a comeback. Although there are typically many more years before the initial rise of a trend and its return as a “vintage” look, the cyclical nature of fashion has brought back the colors, materials and silhouettes of many ICONIC 1990s styles, all in a “vintage but relevant” way.

Platform shoes are a large part of this trend, as the “Dotcom Bubble” of the late ‘90s predicated a rise in the popularity of clogs, chunky platform-soled stretchy sandals, clear glitter plastic platform shoes and more. The continuation of this early aughts trend indicates that the Y2K style is here to stay—at least for a little while longer.

How To Style

The best way to present your mega shoes is by showing them off. Platform shoes underneath long gowns can lead to awkward heights for dress hemlines. Instead, today’s celebrities and stylists are pairing towering shoes with ultra-mini dresses and skirts, like the looks seen from Valentino and Versace.

The element of contrast from the shortened hemlines and chunky stacked platform draws extra attention to the shoes–as well as elongates the legs. Tights with platforms also seem to be a popular look. Bold, monochromatic color palettes are further highlighted—especially in the Pantone Color of the Year, magenta—with tights paired alongside an eye-catching pair of platform heels. No matter how you style these standout shoes, make sure to be ready for comments and compliments, as these are truly fashion’s hottest trend in footwear.

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By Fran Miller