Platform sneakers first appeared several decades ago, being mainly destined to the female shoppers.
They were pretty successful because, as with high heels, they allowed women to get an extra one or two inches in height while still being comfortable. This trend was embraced by the feminist movement active in that period.
They started being more common amongst both women and men when punk music began rising in popularity in the UK and United Stated and the platform sneakers and boots became a symbol of anarchism amongst youths.
 Today, platform sneakers are very popular with the Goth movement, which, just like punk years ago, is a form of protest against the rigid and sometimes absurd norms of society.
Besides the rebel meanings of platform shoes, they also have real practical advantages. People who are shorter can use them to gain an extra something in height and talk to a person face to face with no problem. |
