Modern Trends Gen Z Rediscovered That Were Already Huge in the 1970s

The towering platform shoes appearing in contemporary fashion are another revival with unmistakable 1970s DNA. During that decade, platforms became a dramatic form of self-expression worn by women and men alike, appearing in disco clubs, glam-rock performances, and ordinary street fashion. Thick soles could be attached to sandals, boots, loafers, and extravagantly decorated shoes, sometimes adding several inches of height while creating a deliberately exaggerated silhouette. Performers such as David Bowie, Elton John, and members of bands like KISS pushed platforms toward theatrical extremes, while disco culture made more wearable versions fashionable among mainstream consumers. Their eventual decline made the style an easy shorthand for 1970s excess, but fashion’s renewed enthusiasm for oversized proportions brought them back. Gen Z versions include chunky loafers, platform sneakers, towering boots, and thick-soled sandals. Modern materials can make them lighter and more comfortable, but their appeal remains remarkably familiar.