Wedge Sandals Are Back: How to Wear this Nostalgic Style in 2024
It's official: wedges are the shoe of the summer season.
While the front row of fashion shows is commonly known to host the most influential names in fashion that dazzle the audience with their bold outfit choices season after season, Chloé’s Fall/Winter 2024 front row assignment really changed the rules of the game for the upcoming seasons, making a crutial statement when it comes to footwear. After seeing Sienna Miller, Kiernan Shipka, Georgia May Jagger, and Jerry Hall sitting side by side wearing matching wedge sandals, we all knew there were going to be repercussions. With a chunky wooden platform and criss-crossed leather straps, Chloé’s genius wedges front row moment announced the comeback of the boho-chic wedges for women—and we can’t be any more excited about it.
Dating back to ancient Greece, when these shoes symbolized status and importance, wedges really became a fashion symbol in the 1930s. As outdoor activities and cruise holidays rose in popularity, platform shoes were embraced as the ultimate beach footwear for women. Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo is believed to have created one of the first fashionable wedge shoes using cork and wood instead of the classic leather and rubber compositions due to a shortage in the footwear market. Despite being initially criticized by his elite clientele and the general crowd, wedge sandals slowly began to take over further social occasions outside outdoor recreation until becoming one of the most popular styles from the ‘40s. Although wedges lost popularity after World War II as the fashion industry stopped experiencing rubber shortages, wedge sandals strongly re-emerged during the ‘70s. Featuring striking colors and outrageous designs, their bold appearance was embraced by women and men alike. Briefly re-gaining popularity throughout the 90s, wedges for women really made their powerful comeback in the summer of 2006, when platforms made of cork and wrapped in rope were spotted everywhere from local markets to red carpets.
Characterized by their chunky look and comfortable fit, wedges are the ideal footwear for women on the go. Suitable for a relaxing summer stroll or a long day at the office, there's endless wedge sandals styles to choose from. If you're still feeling uncertain about this trend, scroll down and discover how your favorite celebrities have embraced different types of wedges throughout the years and get inspired to bring back this nostalgic style in 2024.
Wooden Platforms
From Christy Turlington pairing her chic wedges with a ruffled skirt and a playful tie at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2006 to the fashionable guests at Chloé's Fall/Winter show giving a demonstration of how to wear wedge sandals in 2024, wooden platforms never fail to make a statement. Offering extreme heights and a striking look, wooden heels are one of the most popular styles when it comes to wedges for women.
Rope Wedges
From Kim Kardashian rocking wedge espadrilles to a red carpet premiere in the early aughts to Jennifer Lopez casually pairing her wedge sandals with her colorful Christian Dior bag while running errands in Los Angeles, rope platforms not only add height but also texture to any summertime outfit. And although celebrities of all ages have seen rocking this look, no one does rope wedges like Kate Middleton. Ideal for beach attires and vacation ensembles, rope wedge sandals are characterized by their unique comfort and effortless allure, as proven endless times by the Princess of Wales.
Monochrome Heel
For a more elevated look, wedges with monochrome heels guarantee a stylized and timeless feel. Available in different heights, colors, and finishes, these sleek styles can be carried from day to night with extreme ease. As seen on fashion icons Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung, this wedge sandals style promises to be one of the standout ways to wear wedges in 2024.
Cork Soles
Offering ultimate summertime allure and promising an effortless yet stylized look no matter the occasion, cork wedge sandals have been a statement footwear option since Salvatore Ferragamo's first wedge creations back in the 1930s. The perfect footwear option for a beach getaway in 2024, cork wedge sandals can be paired with casual shorts and evening dresses alike. In towering heights, cork sandals guarantee firmness with every step, without the extra heaviness found in the equally-popular wooden styles.
Modern Wedges
As wedges make their nostalgic comeback, designers have found endless ways of reinterpreting this old-school style. From Miu Miu's Spring/Summer 2020 embellished platforms to sculptural curved heels, modern wedges are bound to dominate 2024's hottest months. From Jada Pinkett Smith's urban monochrome outfit to Behati Prinsloo's sparkling red carpet look, get ready to see all your favorite celebrities embracing the wedge sandal trend very soon.