After nearly two years of prioritizing comfort, everyone is ready to amp up the glam, roaring ’20s style. Bling-y jewelry is at peak popularity, and demand for over-the-top accessories, like long opera gloves, is also at an all-time high. But very few items emit this sense of renewed wardrobe energy quite like Versace‘s cult platform heels. Sitting on a double three-inch platform, the sky-high design charmed its way into the hearts (and mood-boards) of fashion insiders everywhere from the moment they debuted on the Fall 2021 runway in candy-colored shades.
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Since then, Versace has churned out several different iterations of the silhouette—targeting anyone who would argue the ankle-breaking height isn’t their style. Candy-colored satin Mary-Janes with a Bratz-doll feel were first. Then followed knee-high boots, mules, elevated loafers, and cagey T-strap pumps for Resort 2022, ranging from pastels and optic white to multicolor checked designs. Celebrities and influencers embraced the Y2K-inspired heels in an exaggerated way on social media, with posts mimicking fashion campaigns of the early aughts shot through a fishbowl lens (you know the ones). In the months following their release, the platform heels remain almost always sold out—both on Versace’s website and at luxury retailers.
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When it comes to sporting Versace’s chunky platform heels, the key is balancing proportions. L.A-based Lionne founder and designer Latoia Fitzgerald wore her white leather loafer pair with crew-cut socks and a turtleneck mini dress on Instagram. Copenhagen street-style star Emili Sindlev offset her black Mary Jane platforms with intricate red tights to make the silhouette pop. Meanwhile, Chiara Ferragni wore the neon pink version with black tights and a coordinating sweater dress. Everyone opted for hiked-up hemlines.
As you think about all the ways to wear Versace’s sky-high platforms IRL, the same rules apply. Whether you’re partial to the sleek, square-toe mule pair or prefer the ankle-boots for everyday, they’re shoes that are meant to be seen. You can follow street style’s lead and wear mini skirts and dresses to keep the platforms on full display. If short silhouettes aren’t your thing, you still have options. Instead, consider well-tailored separates with cropped, ankle-baring hemlines to keep the platforms in plain view. For a more dynamic look, just add statement hosiery.
To find the Versace pair that works best for you, shop the below assortment of perfect platform heels currently up for grabs.
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