# Good idea? Bad idea? (Platform Boots) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 3, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511 "2008-12-03T15:50:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/1 "2008-12-03T15:50:58Z")
Okay, so I’m going to go Goth for a little company party. The theme is Japan, so it’s going to be dressy Goth. So I’m looking for suitable footwear, and I’m seriously considering getting a pair of these boots. Platform boots. Platform boots with heels. [These](http://www.rivithead.com/product_info.php/cPath/20/page/1/products_id/1710) boots. In case you were wondering what the fuss was about, this cat has boy bits. So… good idea? Bad idea? ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/2 "2008-12-03T17:01:31Z")
If you’ve never walked in something like that before, don’t assume it won’t make for an incredibly long and painful evening. Some people have the feet, backs, and balance for that kind of thing, and some people don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/3 "2008-12-03T17:13:46Z")
Never underestimate the pain of falling of your shoes. It’s especially easy to do on uneven pavement. Be careful. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/4 "2008-12-03T17:14:52Z")
I’m going to say that a boy couldn’t get away with these shoes at a company function, unless it’s some kind of costume party. Fair? No. Realistic? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/5 "2008-12-03T17:22:43Z")
From a strictly practical viewpoint it will take forever to get into those boots and the laces will give some leeway in the sizing for the calves, but if you have larger calves that may be a concern. The arch for the heel does not seem to extreme, but beware of rolling you ankle. With that much height it’s a long way to the ground. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/6 "2008-12-03T17:30:14Z")
Whatever you do, don’t buy them online. Try them on in a store, and walk around. You’ll see if you can be comfortable in them. You’d probably be able to find a similar looking pair without the platforms. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/7 "2008-12-03T17:42:51Z")
Those are girl Gothy stripper boots; if you’re going for a gender-bender sort of look, they’d work. If you’re trying to be a dude… not so much. What style of goth are you going for? I’m gonna say something like this: [http://www.dimoutshoes.com/trashville-502.html](http://www.dimoutshoes.com/trashville-502.html) might work fine. It’s basically a stompy goth-industrial boot for a dude. I’m guessing you don’t want to spend a lot for costume boots, but check out [Rivithead](http://www.rivithead.com/Mens_Boots_Boots.html), [Spooky Boutique](http://www.spookyboutique.com/) and [Boot Dungeon](http://www.bootdungeon.com/) (a bit pricier). ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/8 "2008-12-03T18:40:15Z")
Be aware that the bottom of a platform shoe doesn’t walk the same way regular shoes do. If the bottom is rigid, then one little pebble encountered anywhere beneath will turn the entire shoe over. As noted above, strong ankles are a plus. I learned about this phenomenon of platform shoes the hard way - stepped on a rock, fell and tumbled down a hill (on pavement, while wearing hose and a dress). Plus I was late for school after that. Be careful. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/9 "2008-12-03T19:26:50Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > Be aware that the bottom of a platform shoe doesn’t walk the same way regular shoes do. If the bottom is rigid, then one little pebble encountered anywhere beneath will turn the entire shoe over. As noted above, strong ankles are a plus. I learned about this phenomenon of platform shoes the hard way - stepped on a rock, fell and tumbled down a hill (on pavement, while wearing hose and a dress). Plus I was late for school after that. Be careful. Yep. Boots are definitely better in this regard since they’ll help strengthen your ankle a bit more. You can still twist (or break, in extreme cases) your ankle if you’re not careful, though. ---
**Author:** ![Euryphaessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Euryphaessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euryphaessa)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/10 "2008-12-04T01:19:22Z")
If I were you, I would go for something more like [this](http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/store/product.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302028394&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442170512&bmUID=1228353379804), or [this](http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/store/product.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302028394&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442167979&bmUID=1228353379802) if you really want the height. With the second option, the rubbery tread will be a lot more forgiving if you step on a rock, and the platform is almost as thick as the heel so you won’t feel like you’re pitching forward so much. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/11 "2008-12-04T01:41:56Z")
> [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](#): > > If you’ve never walked in something like that before, don’t assume it won’t make for an incredibly long and painful evening. Some people have the feet, backs, and balance for that kind of thing, and some people don’t. That’s one of my worries. I’m thinking of getting the boots and walking around the house in them for a few days to get used to them before going for the dinner. I’m not going to be walking in the streets with them, though, so there’s no issue there. The dinner will be held in a hotel ballroom, and I’ll put them on when I get to the hotel. > [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > I’m going to say that a boy couldn’t get away with these shoes at a company function, unless it’s some kind of costume party. Fair? No. Realistic? Yes. Ehh.. normally I’d agree with you, but that’s one of the reasons why I stay here even though the pay sucks a little. 😃 One of the partners came as a ninja turtle a few years back, and another as Gandalf (he looked more like a elderly transvestite, though, as he will gleefully tell you) - that year the theme was “Movies”. Hell, I’ve cross dressed for a company retreat dinner before, I don’t think these boots will faze them. Too much. 😛 > [@Ludy](#): > > From a strictly practical viewpoint it will take forever to get into those boots and the laces will give some leeway in the sizing for the calves, but if you have larger calves that may be a concern. > > The arch for the heel does not seem to extreme, but beware of rolling you ankle. With that much height it’s a long way to the ground. I was a bit concerned about the heel. They claim that the boots have a 4" heel, which seems crazy to me - they look like 2 - 2.5" heels at most. Are they including the platform? > [@MoodIndigo1](#): > > Whatever you do, don’t buy them online. Try them on in a store, and walk around. You’ll see if you can be comfortable in them. You’d probably be able to find a similar looking pair without the platforms. See, that’s the one thing that I can’t do. There aren’t any shops in this entire country that sell boots like these. Sure, they go on and on about the caning and the repression, but you know what the real downside of living in Singapore is? Not being able to buy girl Gothy stripper boots off the rack. Hell, I don’t even think there are goth strippers. Or strippers of any sort. > [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Those are girl Gothy stripper boots; if you’re going for a gender-bender sort of look, they’d work. If you’re trying to be a dude… not so much. > > What style of goth are you going for? I’m gonna say something like this: [http://www.dimoutshoes.com/trashville-502.html](http://www.dimoutshoes.com/trashville-502.html) might work fine. It’s basically a stompy goth-industrial boot for a dude. > > I’m guessing you don’t want to spend a lot for costume boots, but check out [Rivithead](http://www.rivithead.com/Mens_Boots_Boots.html), [Spooky Boutique](http://www.spookyboutique.com/) and [Boot Dungeon](http://www.bootdungeon.com/) (a bit pricier). I’m looking at spending less than $50, $40 if possible. One reason why I didn’t choose the men’s boots, other than the fact that they’re not very striking, is that they’re damned expensive! At Rivithead, the guy boots are at LEAST $60. And I’m not willing to pay that for 1 night of craziness, although I’m sure I’ll get a lifetime of memories! This year, the theme is “One Night in Tokyo”. I’m trying for an androgynous kind of look. I’m taking inspiration from Japanese “visual kei” rock bands, like [Malice](http://jrock-visual.nireblog.com/blogs/jrock-visual/060904144135malice_mizer.jpg) [Mizer](http://www.silenzidiversi.altervista.org/malice_mizer.jpg), [Gackt](http://webstudent21.basd.k12.wi.us/Gackt_bio.jpg), and some influences from [Mana](http://sid4u.free.fr/BZone/JPop/MaliceMizer/Gallery/Mana/Mana%20(11).jpg), particularly the [ribbons](http://www.geocities.com/photogallerymana1/Mana-samaBaranoSeidouIIIa.JPG)(although I’m aware I won’t look anywhere like him - round face shape, for one) > [@NinetyWt](#): > > Be aware that the bottom of a platform shoe doesn’t walk the same way regular shoes do. If the bottom is rigid, then one little pebble encountered anywhere beneath will turn the entire shoe over. As noted above, strong ankles are a plus. I learned about this phenomenon of platform shoes the hard way - stepped on a rock, fell and tumbled down a hill (on pavement, while wearing hose and a dress). Plus I was late for school after that. Be careful. I’m hoping not to do a lot of walking, frankly - just enough to get from the day use room to the ballroom, to the buffet table, back to my table and hopefully no dancing. Definitely no dancing. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/12 "2008-12-04T03:42:13Z")
They are going to hurt like hell. Did you go to Prom? Remember how all the girls took off their heels eventually? It takes years of pain to be able to walk in heels even for a night. I’m a girl, have tried plenty, and still can’t bear it. And while you may not plan on walking much, you’d be surprised how much of a damper not wanting to walk anywhere can put on your night. That said, the only pair of “high” shoes I’ve ever been able to wear were some gothy platform boots with a low wedge heel. They didn’t hurt at all. They looked hot and I could dance in them all night. Maybe you can find something like that. I also agree to try them on in the store. If you need a big size, most even moderately large cities have a drag queen store. A cheaper but still good source for big shoes is Ross. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/13 "2008-12-04T11:26:00Z")
I don’t think you’ll have a problem. The measurement of the heel is from the back of the boot, from the ground to the sole. That’s where the 4-inches comes from. The rise, which is how far your heel will be from the ball of your foot, looks like it is about 2 inches. Very comfortable. When I want to wear a tall shoe, I look for a platform. My favorite summer sandals are about 4 inches with the same rise and they’re very comfortable. It does take some getting used to, being further off the ground, but as long as you’re not a generally clumsy person you should be fine. If you regularly trip in regular shoes, then these might not be for you. Some practice around the house is a good idea. The best practice you can do is up and down stairs. If you can navigate stairs without tripping you can go anywhere. And by the way, a cross-dressing goth-asian dude? HAWT! Have a great time. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/14 "2008-12-04T15:24:04Z")
I’ll be sure to take pictures. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/15 "2008-12-04T15:31:46Z")
Do they need to be knee high? I love knee high boots as well, but you could try: [Scroll down to Slush 62](http://www.goodgoth.com/ladiesboots.htm) If you’re buying women’s shoes (I’m using US shoe sizes here), they’re 1.5-2 number sizes smaller than a US Men’s size. So if you’re a size 10 Mens shoe, you’d want to try a size 12 Womens. That might be the issue you’ll come across; your feet might be a bit big for standard womens’ sizes. Check out drag queen clothing websites! They often have tons of sexy boots and platforms and they’re sized for dudes. [Look at the ChaCha knee high boot](http://www.queenfashions.com/knee.htm); on sale for $40 and they have up to size 16! 🙂 Can you tell I love boots? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/16 "2008-12-04T15:44:55Z")
Rivithead had a handy conversion chart from UK/European to US women/men’s sizes, so I’m doing fine on that front. 😃 I’m a women’s 11, btw, so no need to look for big shoes (as long as I shop in American stores, that is). Being Asian has its perks sometimes! I do need them wide, though. All things being equal, though, I’d rather have them tall, to make more of a point. Because, hey, if I’m going to kill my feet, I want people to _notice._ 😛 I really really really liked the Gothica 206 on that page, which I also found at Rivithead, but Rivithead was out of my size and anyway it was just a tad too expensive. ☹ They’re cheaper at Rivithead than at [Goodgoth.com](http://Goodgoth.com), though, so there’s that. The other question is what pants to wear… no more skirts because I promised my colleagues no more cross-dressing, and no shorts because eeeewwwwwww. Time to poke around the cosplay shops to see if they have pants with slits along the sides or something… ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/17 "2008-12-04T16:02:09Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Rivithead had a handy conversion chart from UK/European to US women/men’s sizes, so I’m doing fine on that front. 😃 I’m a women’s 11, btw, so no need to look for big shoes (as long as I shop in American stores, that is). Being Asian has its perks sometimes! I do need them wide, though. > > All things being equal, though, I’d rather have them tall, to make more of a point. Because, hey, if I’m going to kill my feet, I want people to _notice._ 😛 > > I really really really liked the Gothica 206 on that page, which I also found at Rivithead, but Rivithead was out of my size and anyway it was just a tad too expensive. ☹ They’re cheaper at Rivithead than at [Goodgoth.com](http://Goodgoth.com), though, so there’s that. > The other question is what pants to wear.. no more skirts because I promised my colleagues no more cross-dressing, and no shorts because eeeewwwwwww. Time to poke around the cosplay shops to see if they have pants with slits along the sides or something.. Gothika 206 for cheaper! [http://www.divatreats.com/servlet/Detail?no=821](http://www.divatreats.com/servlet/Detail?no=821) [http://www.shoebuy.com/demonia-gothika-206/241446](http://www.shoebuy.com/demonia-gothika-206/241446) [http://www.amazon.com/Demonia-Boots-Womens-GOTHIKA-206-D-Ring/dp/B000QDYIO0](http://www.amazon.com/Demonia-Boots-Womens-GOTHIKA-206-D-Ring/dp/B000QDYIO0) Pants… I’d go for something tight (preferably that you can tuck into the boots). [These are velvet](http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/store/product.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302028505&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442190295&bmUID=1228406418795). Depending on your frame, you could also do some PVC pants. Yum! ---
**Author:** ![T.Slothrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@T.Slothrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.Slothrop)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/18 "2008-12-05T06:36:11Z")
One thing to think about before you take off for the party: I heard on the radio someone reminiscing about a friend who had “died for fashion.” The lady was wearing platform shoes for the first time and driving her car. When she needed to brake, she was unable to get her knee high enough for her shoe to hit the brake pedal. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/19 "2008-12-14T16:41:06Z")
Alright, I’m chuffed! Seriously excited here. 😃 Just a little update for you folks (and pics!) I’ve gotten most of the stuff I wanted together, and it WORKS. I mean GAWD it works. This is going to be SOooooooooooooooo fun. Well, except for the fact that my boots are still stuck in Ohio and there’s only about a week left for them to get here. Grr. Grr. _crosses fingers_ Lipstick shoooould be here either today or tomorrow, and then there’s only the boots left. I hope they make it in time!!! [Just to get a general overview of the outfit, me without makeup.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tabby_n/3107838174/in/set-72157611176924527/) [Me with makeup…](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tabby_n/3107838434/in/set-72157611176924527/) [and wig](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tabby_n/3107007159/in/set-72157611176924527/)… you know when I said I wasn’t [crossdressing](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tabby_n/3107837990/in/set-72157611176924527/)? How about [andro](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tabby_n/3107006621/in/set-72157611176924527/)? Hell, I look [andro](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tabby_n/3107838088/in/set-72157611176924527/)even without the wig. SO EXCITED WEEEEEEEEEE ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511/20 "2008-12-14T17:46:35Z")
Wow. Just wow. You look awesome! We must have pics when the boots arrive! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-idea-bad-idea-platform-boots/475511.md?page=2)