Last Updated on December 4, 2025 by Eve Dawes
Just when you put your platform sandals away they’re back in style again
The fashion editors have spoken and platform heels and sandals are back in style again for 2026. The comfortable, towering it girl shoe trend of choice is back and I’m predicting we’ll see iterations from both Versace and Valentino. It’s been several seasons since we’ve seen them on celebrities, style stars and the runways but they started creeping back at around the time of the 2025 Oscars with Meg Ryan, Selena Gomez and Demi Moore all wearing platform heels on the red carpet. It doesn’t mean put away your ladylike shoe trends those are still in style too but if you like a height boost as much as I do, bring back out your towering heels.
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What’s the platform trend of 2026
As a girl who loves a high heel, I’m jumping back on this shoe trend. I’ve always been a fan of this style and have scouted out the best best platform shoes for 2026 in black, silver, gold, pink and pretty every other color of platform high heels imaginable. When it comes down to how to wear this footwear trend this year think dainty ankle straps or mules and feminine styles vs perspex styles, evening wear vs wearing them for the day and cohesive monochrome outfits.
How we were styling platform heels in 2024 VS how to style them in 2026.
What are the best platform heels to wear in 2026
The most on trend platform high heels for 2026 are neutrals and metallics, and satin (as seen on Sabrina Carpenter) and velvet fabric (as seen on Jennifer Lopez at the Grammy Awards). You can even break out your satin Versace Medusa platform heels as seen on Willow Smith. Whether it’s platform shoes, sandals, mules, ankle boots or knee high boots, I’ll be always the first to jump on the platform shoe trend every time it comes back around.
At 5’2″, I’ll grab any opportunity I can to cheat a few extra inches. Plus platforms are so much more comfortable than their thin soled styles. They might not be as classy and elegant but they’re fun and on trend and might save your a trip to the tailors with your gown! Whether it’s a peep toe or a closed toe, there’s a style for everyone.
If you’re not used to platform heels, look for a heel with an ankle strap for support like the ones above. Platform shoes and boots might not be a lasting trend but they do seem to keep coming back in style more frequently than not. It’s also a memorable shoe style that can give everything from a retro 70’s vibe to punk to more elegant depending on the style you go for.
Shop the best platform heels for 2026
One of my favorite ways of styling platform heels was Sabrina Carpenter who styled baby blue platform mules with the most spectacular backless blue, feather embellished gown at the Grammys.
Are platform heels in style 2026
Yes, platform shoes are back in style for 2026. I tend to take fashion shows and what celebrities wear to the awards and on the streets as the cue to what’s going to be big next trend wise and use Vogue as my fashion bible. Platform heels have been in and out of fashion for a few years and although they weren’t on quite as many runways last season they were still there.
Since this shoe trend shows no sign of disappearing for 2026, grab those platform heels and get comfy. Black and white are obviously the most versatile but all shades of metallic or crystal embellished styles are the most on trend for this year. Wood heels can also look fresh for a casual Summer look.
Platforms Are The Ultimate Reemergence Shoes
Vogue
Shop the best platform heels for 2026 from designer to luxe for less trending now
If you’re looking for a classic that’s stayed in style for years, it’s hard to go wrong with Saint Laurent Tribute platforms. For a glam, elegant pair, Tom Ford’s gold and black pair are my top pick, and for luxe for less Steve Madden has lots of really fashion forward styles whose price is hard to beat.
These are the most fashion forward platform high heels and sandals for all budgets trending for 2026. From luxe to luxe for less, blacks and neutrals to colorful styles and trending metallics.
Are platform heels easier to walk in?
I find platform heels so much easier to walk in compared to stilettos. To start with they have a thicker sole which is more comfortable than thin soled shoes. Although they look really high, they tend to be at less of an angle than stilettos or regular heels. Since your feet aren’t at such an extreme angle it puts less pressure on the balls of your feet but still gives you height, winning!
You do tend to get what you pay for though. So the best platform heels for comfort often, but not always, tend to be the more comfortable ones as they spend more money on superior construction and materials.
The only downsides to platform shoes are driving as platform heels make it hard to feel the pedals. So I always switch into flats to drive. As well as bruised ankles if you walk remotely turned out (I was a ballerina) if you clip your ankles with your heels walking. They quickly fixed my turned out walk when they were last in fashion to avoid getting my ankles beat up.
Whats the difference between platforms and wedges?
Wedges, platform wedges, platforms and espadrille wedges are still in style and great for giving us some extra inches but what’s the difference between platforms, wedges and flatforms?
Wedges soles slope gradually from the front to the back. The front can be either flat or a platform and they have a wedge shape. They can be pretty low or super high but it’s the wedge shape that makes them a wedge shoe.
The difference between wedges and platform shoes is that although they both have a raised heel:
- Platform heels have a thick sole whereas wedges can have a thin or thick sole. It’s not the heel that makes a platform a platform shoe but the thick sole at the front of the shoe.
- Platform heels don’t have a wedge/triangle shape like wedges do. There’s a distinction between the heel and the sole.
- To make it confusing the 2 styles can be combined as a platform wedge. Platform shoes can come in both wedge or heel styles.
What are flatforms?
Flatforms are the comfier and lower version of platform shoes and sandals. They have a thick level sole that runs the length of the shoe. I’m more of a fan of platform heels than flatforms as I like the extra height as flatforms only give you an extra inch or 2. Although they are a comfier and sturdier sole for running errands and walking.
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More shoes trending for 2026
If platform heels and boots aren’t for you or you have as big of a shoe addiction as I do, check out these other shoe trends.
