Once relegated to the 2010s, mocked, and forgotten… yet the platform sneaker is making a comeback as unexpected as it is striking. Passing fad or lasting revival? One thing is certain: it leaves no one indifferent. A closer look at this divisive return, the brands bringing it back, starting with Isabel Marant and the ways to wear it (or not) in 2025.
Hard to talk about platform sneakers without mentioning Isabel Marant’s Bekett. An icon of its time, it sold over 200,000 pairs and won over the wardrobes of It Girls everywhere. Beyoncé wore it in the Love On Top video, A$AP Rocky name-dropped it in Fashion Killa (2013) alongside Dior and Goyard. Enough said.
A comeback that splits opinion
Like the Hervé Léger dress, the wedge sneaker carries with it the whole early-2010s vibe: selfies drenched in Retrica filters, ultra-skinny jeans, and the Céline Luggage bag. And yet, according to the Lyst Index, searches for this sneaker skyrocketed by 630% in the second quarter. It now ranks among the 10 most sought-after items, alongside equally controversial pieces like The Row flip-flops, Vibram FiveFingers, and Miu Miu suede loafers.
This isn’t Isabel Marant’s first revival attempt. In 2021, she launched Balskee, a chunkier, sportier version with mixed results. But since last year, the comeback seems real. The brand has reissued the Bekett and even collaborated with Converse on a platform Chuck Taylor (€190), far more affordable than the Bekett (€590) or the Balskee (€495).
A social-media revival
This rehabilitation isn’t only happening on the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week, social media is driving it, too. On TikTok and Instagram, “2010s revival” videos are everywhere. Content creators like Marie Gaguech, MV Tiangue, and Rubi Pigeon embrace the wedge sneaker in deliberately nostalgic outfits mixing low-rise flared jeans, Y2K tops, and chunky bracelets. Their take? An ironic yet sincere reappropriation of a fashion moment once dismissed as cringe.
The phenomenon even reaches Gen Z, who sometimes never wore the shoe during its original heyday. For them, the Bekett has become a coveted vintage item. Proof, once again, that fashion is an eternal cycle and that it especially loves to play with its own contradictions.
Second-hand to satisfy your inner teenager
If there were still any doubts about the platform sneaker’s return, a quick look at second-hand platforms is enough to confirm the craze. Whether from Isabel Marant, Ash, or more niche labels like Steve Madden, these pairs are being snapped up on Vinted, Vestiaire Collective, Depop, and even Leboncoin.
And it’s not just about budget, even if the price does play a clear role. At €590 for a new Bekett and nearly €500 for the Balskee, these models remain far from affordable. Second-hand shopping becomes a way to satisfy an unfulfilled fashion fantasy, sometimes dating back ten years. For many, it’s the chance to make up for a teenage frustration: never having gotten their hands on the coveted pair back in the day.
But beyond nostalgia, this vintage-driven comeback also reflects a shift in mindset. Buying second-hand is no longer seen as a fallback, but as a thoughtful, committed fashion choice. It celebrates the original piece and its authenticity. It’s a way to reclaim a trend without falling into the trap of buying new at all costs, while placing the gesture within a more sustainable approach.
Whether this comeback will last or fade once the nostalgia wave passes remains to be seen. For now, it reflects one reality: today, fashion no longer tries to erase its missteps, it proudly owns them.
