Elton John wears them. John Travolta did a little number in a pair once. Just about every trendy woman has worn them at some point in the past three decades. But for those who missed the boat, fear not. They’re back, and according to some women on campus, they’re better than ever.

Platform shoes are said to have first hit the streets during the 18th century across Europe to evade walking in filth. The Japanese also made the raised shoe popular when worn with kimonos. The platform shoe had moderate popularity during the 1930s and ’40s, but images of Studio 54 come to mind typically upon mention of the shoe.

The style is back as what fashion critics are calling the shoe of the season. Women are reaching new heights in the stunning style with skirts and dresses. Jeans are also seeing their fair share of lifts thanks to the shoe, but it tends to be cigarette jeans as opposed to the bellbottoms of the ’70s.

Adrienne Yancey, a senior in graphic design, admits she bought a pair of the new “it” shoe.

“I did order a pair of fuchsia ones from Urban Outfitters,” Yancey said. “But I don’t wear them much.”

Yancey said she sacrifices following trends for comfort during the day. As a student in the College of Design, Yancey said she’s always on her feet in her studio.

“I stick to Diesel sneakers during the day,” Yancey said. “And I wear the wedges when I go out at night.”

Yancey also said when she does wear the wedges, she prefers to pair them with jeans, but she noted that they’re cute with just about anything.

Andrea Atwell, a junior in political science, said she is glad to see the fad of the disco decade is back.

“Wedge shoes are really cute and make your legs look great,” Atwell proclaimed. “They are more comfortable than stilettos, so I’m certainly glad that they are in style.”

Back in the day when Travolta flaunted platforms while dancing in Saturday Night Fever, the shoes were made of anything from wood to cork to plastic. Today the trend tends to stick to wood and cork. Plastic’s popularity crashed after the ’90s made jellies all the rage [insert sigh of relief here].

When the fad caught on during the days when Van McCoy’s The Hustle was popular, the trend crossed gender barriers. So far, the recent revival doesn’t seem to have gone that far. But that doesn’t mean the male species aren’t noticing the shoes.

And Eric Bridenstine, a senior in communication, thinks he has the trend all figured out.

“Girls just wear them to make themselves look taller and have a higher sense of confidence,” he said.