Wedges that wow—step up to the platform!
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again (and again): We love a beautiful wedge! Let us count the ways: 1) they give our height a boost; 2) they provide solid support; and 3) they’re easy to wear (no balancing act required)!
Now with the retro rage for all things 1970s, the wedge has gotten even better by extending into a full platform under the forefoot and toe. The lift up front offsets the inches in back, so you get all of the height without the steep pitch! High style + high comfort = A tall drink of happiness!
Here are just a few ways to step up this summer:
As we mentioned, most of the platform wedges rock the retro look, but Accessoire’s knockout Babeth exudes less 1970s glam and more 1940s Hollywood glamor:
The navy suede is positively luminous, and the tie at the ankle makes this sandal super chic! Can’t you just imagine a pinup queen like Betty Grable breaking hearts in this beauty? (In fact, check out the sandals in this photo of 1940s movie star Yvonne De Carlo!)
What would happen if a designer took the best of the 1940s and mixed it with the boldness of the 1970s? Coclico has the answer: the Mori!
The design of the suede upper flirts with the ’40s, while the chunky yet lightweight cork platform echos the ’70s, all in one sweet modern package! We love the versatility of the taupe suede version pictured, but the Moris comes in a lustrous cobalt blue, too!
Coclico also uses this comfortable cork sole for the equally wonderful Melania:
The wedge platform slopes from 2.75″ at the heel to 1.5″ under the toe, making the pitch an easy-peasy 1.25″. If you’re looking for something a little brighter than this rich hazelnut version, consider the Melania in sunny dandelion!
Vialis adopts the same heel:toe ratio as Coclico for its two cork-soled lovelies. First up, the Vialis Jacinta:
How cool is this sandal? We can’t get enough of how the heel strap curves up from the inside arch and then laces diagonally through the two bands over the foot! Plus, the asphalt grey suede pairs easily with most any outfit.
The Vialis Francyn is also worth writing home about:
Several designers are extending the uppers down onto the soles this season, but Vialis goes one better by taking the suede down and around the back! (Not to mention the woven work on the toe band is magnificent!)
Wood also makes a wonderful wedge platform, as demonstrated by the Trippen Strahl:
So much to love here! From the twice-dyed leather to the rubber on the outsole that echoes the underside of the leather to the radiating strap design to the smooth sanded wood, the Strahl is a height-enhancing treat!
But perhaps our favorite platform wedge this season comes from those Italian shoe maestros at Fiorentini + Baker. Feast your eyes on the stunning Dany:
Now this is how to rock the ’70s retro look! The bold suede t-strap with its stud-a-licious good looks is guaranteed to make you the center of attention! The dark grey “asfalto” version pictured is both unique and versatile, but we also have the Dany in a winner-takes-all mattone red!
So many great ways to wedge your way into summer. Get high on shoes! Power to the platform, right on!
(By the way, don’t miss this week’s fantastic Sweet Treat: Fiorentini + Baker’s Nicky ankle boot! Just click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to be whisked to the Nicky, where you’ll find the magic code that takes 20% off at checkout.)
Tags: 1970s, Accessoire, Babeth, blue, brown, clog, Coclico, cork, Dany, Fiorentini + Baker, Francyn, gray, grey, heel, Jacinta, leather, Melania, Mori, platform, red, retro, sandals, Strah, suede, taupe, Trippen, Vailis, vintage, wedge, wood
