The trendy hipsters of today may not know that the platform shoes they are wearing are inspired by trends from past decades and even past centuries. Most people who do think of the platform shoe as a reoccurring style think it first appeared on the fashion scene in the 1970s. However, that was actually the third or fourth time platform shoes came into vogue among the fashion elite.

Platform shoes first appeared in the 15th century and were all the rage in European countries. Platform shoes were actually somewhat of a status symbol in places like Venice. Back then, this type of shoe was called the chopine. The soles were made from stacked wood and cork that was covered over with velvet. The soles of the chopines measured as high as 30 inches.

The popularity of platform shoes subsequently died out for 200 to 300 years. They appeared on the fashion circuit again in the late 1930s. The shoes during the '30s and '40s were primarily made of cork and wood, since leather was scarce during the war years. Between the two, cork was the preferred choice because it was much lighter than wood. Styles ranged from chunky cork platform sandals to elegant and sophisticated platform high heels.

Platform shoes did not reappear again until the end of the 1960s. The '70s disco age introduced funkier styles made in bright and shiny colors. Both men and women wore platforms during the '70s. Platforms did not resurface again until the early 1990s. Today, platform shoe trends are still popular. The 2000s fashion styles thus far have been an eclectic stylistic mix of the decades of the 20th century.