The disco floor was basically a battlefield, and your boots were the armor. Seriously. If you think today’s chunky sneakers are a "bold choice," you’ve clearly never seen a pair of original 1974 Terry de Havilland heels. We’re talking five inches of solid wood or cork stacked under a foot, wrapped in metallic snakeskin or velvet. It wasn't just about being tall. It was about presence. 70s platform shoes for women weren't some niche fashion trend that stayed in the back of a closet; they were a cultural earthquake that shifted how people literally walked through the world.
Think about the sheer physics of it. You’re balancing on a brick. But somehow, because of that thick sole, the pitch of your foot wasn't as steep as a stiletto. It gave women this weird, powerful strut. You couldn't run in them—honestly, you could barely walk down a flight of stairs without risking a snapped ankle—but you looked like a goddess standing still.
It started way before Studio 54
Most people think the platform started with ABBA or Elton John. Wrong.
While the 1970s made them legendary, the concept of elevating the foot has been around since Ancient Greece. Actors wore buskins to show social status. In the 16th century, Venetian women wore calcagnini or chopines that were so high—sometimes 20 inches—that they needed servants to help them walk. Basically, height has always equaled power. But the 1970s version was different because it was democratic. Everyone wore them. High-end designers like Vivienne Westwood and Biba were making them for the elite, but you could also go down to a local boutique or a Sears catalog and find a pair of clunky clogs for twenty bucks.
The real shift happened in the late 60s when designers like Roger Vivier started experimenting with thicker soles for Yves Saint Laurent. By 1972, the floodgates opened. It wasn't just a shoe; it was an architectural statement.
The anatomy of a classic 70s platform
What actually makes a shoe a "70s platform"? It’s not just a thick sole. It's the silhouette.
Usually, you had a "pitch," which is the difference between the height of the heel and the height of the platform under the toes. A classic "buffalo" boot or a "soul" shoe usually featured a two-inch platform paired with a five-inch heel. That sounds terrifying, but since the ball of your foot is already two inches off the ground, your arch is only feeling a three-inch incline. It’s math. Fashion math.
The materials were all over the place. Cork was the king. It was lightweight, which meant you didn't feel like you were dragging cinder blocks around your ankles. Then you had the heavy hitters: solid carved wood. These were often hand-painted or featured intricate cutouts. Some even had "windows" in the heel. There's a famous (though sometimes debated) story about "aquarium shoes" where people allegedly put live goldfish in the clear acrylic heels. Mostly a myth, or at least a very short-lived and cruel one, but it speaks to the era's obsession with the "more is more" philosophy.
Leather was rarely just brown or black. We’re talking patchwork suedes in rust, mustard, and forest green. We’re talking metallic gold finishes that could blind a DJ. The toe was almost always rounded or squared off—never pointed. A pointed toe on a platform looks like a weapon; a square toe looks like a pedestal.
David Bowie and the gender-blurring heel
You can't talk about 70s platform shoes for women without acknowledging that the guys were wearing them too. David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era changed everything. When Bowie stepped out in those red Kansai Yamamoto boots, he effectively killed the idea that height was only for "delicate" femininity.
👉 See also: Black Red Wing Shoes: Why the Heritage Flex Still Wins in 2026
This influenced women's fashion by making the shoes tougher. The "Glam Rock" platform was chunkier, more aggressive. It wasn't about looking pretty; it was about looking like an alien superstar. Brands like Granny Takes a Trip on King’s Road in London were churning out these boots for rock stars, and women were lining up to buy the exact same styles. It was one of the first times in modern history where footwear became truly unisex in a high-fashion context.
Why they actually felt better than stilettos
Look, let’s be real. No one is claiming these were orthopedic shoes.
But compared to the spindly heels of the 1950s or the flat-soled madness of the early 60s, platforms offered a weird kind of stability. The wide base of a 70s block heel meant you weren't going to get stuck in a sidewalk grate or a patch of grass. You had a solid foundation.
- Distribution of weight: Because the sole is thick, the pressure is spread across a larger surface area of the foot.
- Height without the hurt: You could gain four inches of height with the foot-stress of a two-inch heel.
- Durability: Those wood and cork soles were nearly indestructible. You see vintage pairs today that are 50 years old and the soles are still perfectly intact, even if the leather is peeling.
The downside? The weight. A solid wood platform could weigh two pounds per shoe. Walking in them for eight hours was basically a leg workout. You developed calf muscles like a cyclist just by going to the grocery store.
The brands that defined the decade
If you were anyone in the mid-70s, you knew the names.
Biba. Barbara Hulanicki’s London store was the epicenter of the look. Her platforms were often covered in dark, moody suedes—plums, berries, and deep teals. They were "Art Deco meets Disco."
Then there was Kork-Ease. If you lived in the U.S., you probably had a pair of their buffalo-style sandals. They were the quintessential "earthy" platform. Simple tan leather straps, massive cork wedge. It was the shoe of the California hippie-turned-disco-queen. Even today, Kork-Ease sells a "remake" of their classic 70s wedge because the design is basically flawless.
And we can't forget Famolare. These were the "wavy" soles. Designed by Joe Famolare, these shoes had a distinct, undulating rubber sole that was supposed to help you walk more naturally. They were weird, kinda ugly-cool, and incredibly popular. They represented the move toward "functional" platforms that you could actually wear to work without ending up in a cast.
How to spot a fake vintage pair
If you’re hunting on eBay or at a thrift store, you’ve gotta be careful. "70s style" is everywhere, but "true vintage" is a different beast.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Right Word That Starts With AJ for Games and Everyday Writing
First, check the weight. Modern "retro" shoes are often made of lightweight plastic or foam made to look like wood. Real 70s shoes have heft. If it feels like a toy, it’s probably a modern reproduction.
Second, look at the labels. Brands like Candie’s (the early wooden slides), Wildfire, or Zodiac are goldmines. Look for "Made in Brazil" or "Made in Italy" stamps on the inner sole. In the 70s, Brazil was a massive exporter of high-quality leather platforms.
Third, the glue. Modern shoes use synthetic adhesives that last about five years before drying out. 70s shoes used industrial-grade stuff that, while sometimes brittle now, leaves a specific yellowish residue. Also, check the hardware. Real 70s buckles are usually heavy brass or dull steel, not the shiny, flimsy tin you find on fast-fashion shoes today.
The 1970s vs. The 1990s Spice Girls version
There's a big difference between a 70s platform and the 90s "club kid" version.
The 90s platforms—think Buffalo London or Steve Madden’s "Slinky"—were mostly flat. They were "flatforms." There was no heel elevation; the whole shoe was just a six-inch block of foam.
The 70s version almost always had a distinct heel. Even the wedges had a slope. The 70s look was about elongating the leg and creating a specific "swing" when you walked. The 90s look was about looking like a cartoon character. Both are cool, but if you’re going for that authentic Daisy Jones & The Six vibe, you need the heel-to-toe slope.
Actionable ways to style them today
You don't have to look like you're wearing a costume. You really don't.
The trick to wearing 70s platform shoes for women in the 2020s is balance. Since the shoes are "heavy" visually, you need to ground the rest of your outfit.
- The Flare Rule: Platforms were literally designed to be worn with flared jeans. The extra height keeps the hem of the jeans from dragging on the ground, and the wide leg of the pants balances out the clunkiness of the shoe. It makes your legs look about ten miles long.
- Midi Skirts: A solid wood platform sandal looks incredible with a flowy midi skirt. It adds a bit of "toughness" to a feminine outfit.
- Wide-Leg Trousers: For a professional look, a closed-toe platform pump under a pair of wide-leg wool trousers is a power move. It’s subtle because the pant covers most of the shoe, but the height gives you a presence in the room.
- Sock Game: In the 70s, it was super common to wear thick, colorful knit socks with platform sandals. You can still do this. It’s a great way to transition your summer platforms into the fall.
Don't break your neck: A survival guide
If you’re new to the platform world, start small. Don't go straight for the five-inch David Bowie specials.
🔗 Read more: Is there actually a legal age to stay home alone? What parents need to know
Start with a "pitch" of no more than two inches. That means if the heel is four inches, the front platform should be two inches. This keeps your foot at a relatively natural angle.
Also, look for ankle straps. A heavy wooden shoe that isn't strapped to your foot is a recipe for a rolled ankle. The strap keeps the shoe moving with you rather than flapping behind you.
Lastly, check your floors. Platforms on hardwood or tile can be incredibly slippery because the soles are often hardened rubber or smooth wood. Get some "heel grips" or non-slip pads to stick on the bottom. Your tailbone will thank you.
The lasting legacy
Fashion is a circle, but the platform is more like a heartbeat. It goes away for a few years, but it always, always comes back. Why? Because it’s the only shoe that offers a literal perspective shift. When you’re four inches taller, the world looks different. You stand straighter. You take up more space.
The 70s wasn't just a decade of bad hair and disco; it was a decade of liberation. Women were moving into the workforce in record numbers, the Equal Rights Amendment was a massive talking point, and fashion reflected that desire to be seen and heard. These shoes were loud. They clattered on the floor. They made you impossible to ignore.
Next Steps for the Vintage Hunter
If you're ready to dive in, your first move should be hitting up specialized vintage resellers rather than general thrift stores. Look for sellers on platforms like Etsy or Depop who specifically list "1970s deadstock." Deadstock means the shoes were made in the 70s but never worn. They’re the holy grail.
Before you buy, measure your foot in centimeters. Vintage sizing is notoriously inconsistent—a 1974 size 8 is often much narrower than a 2024 size 8. Ask the seller for the "insole measurement" to make sure your toes won't be hanging off the edge. Once you find that perfect pair of cork or wood stacks, grab some leather conditioner. Original 70s leather is likely thirsty and needs a bit of love before it’s ready to hit the streets again.
Go find your pedestal. Just watch out for the stairs.