Fashion · From the archive

The original Japanese platform shoes

Preserved in the archive in 2002. Historical article; travel and business details may have changed.

Picture of GetaLong before the 1970’s and the platform shoes, Japanese women had been wearing Geta sandals or clogs. The reason for wear these very high platform shoes was not for fashion, but for very practical reasons. If you are wearing a very expensive kimono that hangs all the way to your feet, you do not want to get mud on it when you walk outside. (A larger version of the picture can be seen by clicking on it). Are Geta difficult to walk in? Yes! Significant practice is required before someone can walk safely and elegantly in Geta. Geta are made of one piece of solid wood forming the sole and two wooden blocks underneath. These block may have a metal plate on the section that touches the ground in order to lengthen the life span of the Geta. A V-shaped thong of cloth forms the upper part of the sandal. Japanese Fashion Topics Related Topics Where to buy Japanese Fashion Yoko Trading - sells an extensive range of Japanese kimonos Books on kimonos and Japanese fashion Last edited on 01/10/02 |

← More articles
Back to Blog

Related Posts

View All Posts »
Cosplay

Cosplay

Cosplay (コスプレ, kosupure), a contraction (or portmanteau) of the English words "costume" and "play", is a Japanese subculture centered on dressing as…

Ganguro

Ganguro

Ganguro (ガングロ), literally "black-face", is a Japanese fashion trend among many Japanese girls which peaked in popularity from the late 1990s to the early…

Gothic Lolita

Gothic Lolita or "GothLoli" (ゴスロリ, gosurori; sometimes alternatively "Loli-Goth") is a youth fashion among Japanese teenagers and young women. It…

Kogal

Kogal

Kogals (コギャル kogyaru, lit. "small/child girl") are a subculture of girls and young women in urban Japan, one of several types of so-called gals. They are…