Platform shoes — shoes with a thick sole that raises the entire foot, typically combined with a heel that raises the back of the foot further — have been one of the most consistently popular shoe types in UK women's fashion since their 1970s peak, with a significant and sustained resurgence from 2020 onwards that shows no sign of fading. Their specific appeal: the platform sole provides significant height gain with significantly less discomfort than a standard stiletto heel of the same height, because the front of the foot is also raised and the angle of the foot from heel to toe is consequently lower. For women who love the elevation of a heel but struggle with the discomfort of very high heels, platforms are genuinely a more comfortable way to achieve the same visual height effect.
What Types of Platform Shoes Are Available?
Platform trainers (chunky trainers with a significant platform sole) are the most casual and the most widely worn for everyday urban contexts. They range from the subtle (2–3cm platform) to the very extreme (the 6–8cm platform trainers that have defined the chunky-trainer trend). The most wearable for most contexts: a 3–4cm platform in a clean white or neutral colourway.
Platform sandals with a wedge or block heel platform are the most summer-appropriate and the most occasion-flexible platform style. A quality platform sandal in a neutral (nude, tan, black) with a 4–5cm combined platform-and-heel raises the overall height attractively while remaining comfortable enough for a full day or evening occasion.
Platform ankle boots with a chunky platform sole are one of the most popular UK autumn and winter shoe styles currently. A quality platform ankle boot in black or tan is one of the most versatile footwear investments of the current moment — appropriate from casual to smart-casual.
Platform court shoes or Mary Janes with a more classic shoe shape on a platform sole are the most professional and the most elevated in appearance — the platform makes them read as more fashion-forward than a conventional court shoe while remaining fully professional in most UK contexts.
How to Style Platform Shoes for Different Occasions
Casual: Platform trainers with quality straight-leg or wide-leg jeans, a quality oversized T-shirt or quality knit, and a quality casual bag. The platform does the visual proportion work; the rest of the outfit can be fully relaxed.
Smart-casual: Platform sandals or platform ankle boots with a quality midi dress or quality quality trousers and blouse combination. The platform's fashion-forward character elevates a simple outfit's visual interest significantly.
Evening: Platform heeled sandals with quality wide-leg evening trousers or a quality midi skirt and quality cami top. The height from the platform creates a dramatic proportion elongating the leg that reads as confident and striking in evening contexts.
Discover Fashionfitz's dresses and midi skirts that look most striking with platform shoes, and browse women's tops for the quality camis and blouses that complete platform shoe outfits.
Frequently Asked Questions: Platform Shoes UK Women
Are platforms comfortable for all-day wear?
Platform shoes are generally significantly more comfortable than equivalent-height standard heels because the raised platform sole reduces the angle of the foot from heel to toe. The most comfortable platform styles for all-day wear: platform trainers (essentially flat in terms of foot angle); platform wedges (no separate heel, so fully stable); quality platform sandals with ankle support. The least comfortable for long days: very extreme platforms (over 6cm) that add enough weight to the shoe that leg fatigue occurs; thin stiletto heels with a small platform that don't provide the stability benefit of a block or wedge platform.
