Q I really like the 1970s look, which is supposed to be big this spring, especially platform sandals, but I’m afraid they’ll look a bit ridiculous on me. What can I do to avoid looking like a reject from That ’70s Show’?
Dominika, Dublin 9
A Let's move from That '70s Show to that '70s shoe: the platform sandal is one of the great throwbacks. Its simple design – two very little straps, one very big heel – is evocative of a time gone by, when groupies roamed the earth. It's a historical signifier of hedonism, and thus cannot be considered anything but a bit silly.
From a practical standpoint, however, they are easy to wear. Ankle straps will keep you in your shoes, and the platform makes them relatively easy to walk in. The proportions also make legs look slimmer and longer; a very pleasant side effect. When you take such things as the later work of Jefferson Airplane into account, the platform sandal might just be one of the few things from that decade that has aged well without lapsing into kitsch.
Don’t worry about looking ridiculous: if you like it, wear it. It’s better to be mildly ribbed than to deprive yourself.
Sophia Webster's sky-blue banana print sandals are fun, as a good shoe should be, and Topshop's snake-effect offering is an excellent alternative. New Look offers a simple grey sandal with a standard 1970s silhouette that can work with almost any outfit, and it also comes in black, lavender and blush pink.
Email your style woes to wardrobing@irishtimes.com
Sandals €370 Sophia Webster; Sandals, €68, Topshop
Sandals, €29.99, New Look
