Paris Hilton’s Go-To Designer Says Her Best-Kept Style Secret Is This ‘90s Shoe Trend

They “make any pant look amazing.”

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Keeping up with the latest trends can be tricky. One day it’s all about shackets while the next is dedicated to blinding, metallic shoes. As a fashion editor, I see style movements rise and fall all the time, so I was eager to discover a trend that’s stood the test of time. During the Alice and Olivia Fall 2023 New York Fashion Week presentation, I found my answer.

Surrounded by larger than life popcorn props and oversized candy bars, I spoke with Alice and Olivia CEO and creative director Stacey Bendet, who is known for her celebrity clientele such as Paris Hilton (she’s worn the brand golfing, around the house, and even incorporated Alice and Olivia into her wedding). Bendet and I discussed her new Americana collection, tweed jackets, and platform heels; a trend that never goes out of style. “I am a forever platform girl,” Bendet told me. “You put on a pair of high heels and a pair of really long, chic pants, and you’re good to go.” If you’re curious to know which kind of platform shoes we’re talking about, just take a peek at the below picks; they’re some of the most standout options I've seen in a while. 

Best Platform Heels

  • Jessica Simpson Basima Platform Heels, $99; dsw.com
  • Steve Madden Charlize-R Heels, $77 with code FLASH (Originally $150); stevemadden.com
  • Free People Lenne Platform Heels, $148; freepeople.com
  • Vince Camuto Grelena Platform Heels, $90 (Originally $139); vincecamuto.com
  • Stuart Weitzman SkyHigh Mary Jane Heels, $148 (Originally $595); saksfifthavenue.com
  • Schutz Keefa Denim Heels, $158; revolve.com
  • Reformation Mazie Platform Heels, $278; thereformation.com
  • Wetkiss Platform Heels, $58; amazon.com
  • Dolce and Gabbana Calfskin Platform Heel, $995; neimanmarcus.com 
  • Schutz Lenne Platform Heels, $138; zappos.com
  • Tory Burch Platform Heels, $398; toryburch.com
  • Anthropologie Silent D Tailah Mary Jane Heels, $140; anthropologie.com


The celebrity designer even went as far to say that the mega shoes make “every pant look amazing.” She proved herself right, as she donned her own pair of super-high satin pumps alongside light-washed denim, similar to this pair from Alice and Olivia. Dare I say, it was an fashion moment that I will absolutely be recreating. The tall pumps made additional cameos, as models throughout the presentation wore black patent platforms and electric blue options. Each shoe could make its way from a NYFW show to lunch with friends. Why? Because of the versatile platform heel that can be dressed up or down. 

Paris Hilton’s Go-To Designer Says Her Best-Kept Style Secret Is This 90s Shoe Trend

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The evidence for this ‘90s-themed shoe continued rolling in, as I discovered Salma Hayek, Lily Collins, and Anne Hathaway have all sported the style, pairing the towering heels with dresses, trousers, and skirts. In the words of Bendet, with a quick and easy addition of these tall kicks, the stars “transformed [their] whole look.”


But choosing a platform shoe style is the hardest part. Do you go with an open toe or closed toe? Do you stick with a neutral tone, or do you opt for something a bit louder? Bendet says women often become “intimidated” and “overwhelmed” by fashion, but style is there to “express whatever you want to share with the world each day.” So continue reading for all of the best platform heels I found, and choose a pair (or two) that make you feel like the “best version of you” — no style fear needed.

Jessica Simpson Basima Platform Sandal

DSW

Shop now: $99; dsw.com

CHARLIZE-R PINK

Steve Madden

Shop now: $77 with code FLASH (Originally $150); stevemadden.com

Lenne Platform

Free People

Shop now: $148; freepeople.com

VINCE CAMUTO GRELENA PLATFORM PUMP

Vince Camuto

Shop now: $90 (Originally $139); vincecamuto.com and zappos.com

Stuart Weitzman SkyHigh Leather Mary Jane Pumps

Saks

Shop now: $148 (Originally $595); saksfifthavenue.com

Keefa High Casual Sandal Schutz brand:Schutz

Revolve

Shop now: $158; revolve.com

Maize Platform Sandal

Reformation

Shop now: $278; thereformation.com

WETKISS Platform Chunky Heels for Women

Amazon

Shop now: $58; amazon.com

Dolce&Gabbana Calfskin Ankle-Strap Platform Pumps

Neiman Marcus

Shop now: $995; neimanmarcus.com 

Schutz Lenne

Zappos

Shop now: $138; zappos.com

PLATFORM SANDAL

Tory Burch

Shop now: $398; toryburch.com

Silent D Tailah Mary Jane Heels

Anthropologie

Shop now: $140; anthropologie.com

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