It’s no secret that ‘90s style has wormed its way back into our wardrobes in recent years – and we can’t get enough of the nostalgia. School shoes aren’t an exception either, with chunky yet funky silhouettes appearing once again in the playground, but with a modern twist.
We like to think this era was a time to cross the boundaries of uniform regulations across the country. ‘90s school shoes were certainly more about fashion rather than comfort – but who cares if they helped you become the most stylish kid on the block?
With these original designs being adapted into more suitable variations nowadays, youngsters are still able to jump on the trend bandwagon in ‘90s shoes. It’s not just us who are excited about history repeating itself either. We’ve teamed up with some top bloggers to find out which school shoes were their go-to favourites in the nineties.
From schoolgirl style to womanhood
Our first step down memory lane takes us back to the unforgettable silhouette that belongs to brands such as Kickers and Pods. These were more than just a pair of school shoes, they were a sign of popularity; nothing said “move out of my way” quite like stomping around the school corridors in a pair of these weighty heels!
Lucy Mitchell from fashion, travel and lifestyle blog, Sunset Desires, was also a big fan of these chunky heels:
“My absolute favourites HAD to be the Pods with the really chunky heels. I felt so grown up wearing these and thought I looked awesome – even though they were super-heavy and I felt like I was walking like a horse most of the time.”
Flash-forward to this year, and we can’t quite imagine them being as much a popular hit on the playground. Their impractical heel height meant that this style was quickly forbidden from entering past many a school gate.
Originals of the iconic school shoes are going for a few bob online though; so if you’ve still hung onto your own pair, you may sitting on a small fortune!
Chunky platform school shoes which made mum shriek
It may be hard to believe that some girls dared to go even higher with their chunky ‘90s platform shoes (perhaps with hopes of increasing their street cred in the process). Especially a hit with older teens, the towering design was not for the feint hearted.
In fact, many ‘90s babies may not have even caught a glimpse of these rare spectacles. They became the dream shoe that girls begged their mum for – but in many cases, the shoe shop was where they remained.
Paige Calvert from super-creative blog, Paige Joanna, started off on the smaller side with her heels:
“Shopping for school uniform, I remember getting the cutest pair of buckled kitten heels from Clarks which lasted for years!”
Amanda Cottingham over at The Ana Mum Diary was definitely a fan of chunkier styles, telling us, “the bigger the better!”
She continued, “they made your legs look so small and slim in comparison to your feet. There were also lots of embellishments like rivets and buckles too.”
The designer market hasn’t forgotten about them either; the likes of Gucci have given them a modern update and now showcase a selection of platform loafers in their women’s range for a hefty price tag.
To achieve the chunky style for less (and with a reduced chance of twisting your ankle or getting sent home from school), our Miss Riot Dolly or Princess Stardust Rose designs tick all the right boxes.
One, two, buckle my shoe
Our favourite shoe trends of this iconic period show us that when it comes to school shoes, the thicker the sole, the better! The decade saw to turn the classic buckle-up into just that – chunky.
Buckle-up school shoes have always been seen as a more sensible option due to the ease of getting them on and off, while still looking especially smart in those obligatory ‘first day back at school’ photos. With mum-approval, buckles became a huge craze among teens who rocked them in the late ‘90s.
For a modern take on these ‘90s school shoes, check out the Platino Martina for statement buckles this term.
A kick about with Kickers
When it comes to boys’ shoes, forget chunky heels and sleek designs – if they were comfortable, durable and stayed on during break-time penalties, the Wallabee remained the school shoe staple.
This iconic design was not a rare sight in classrooms across the UK in the nineties; they were approved by parents due to their smart look but were still practical enough to survive a daily beating on the playground.
Kickers is a brand that offered these boat-like bad boys in all of their glory – decades later, the school shoe titan still offers a modern remake of this well-loved style.
Nail this style to a ‘T’
Another popular shoe in the ‘90s, T-bar school shoes remain a timeless classic of children’s fashion and are a symbol of childhood for many – and it’s easy to see why. Comfortable, practical and stylish, this style is likely to have made an appearance on the shoe rack of every girl during this decade and beyond.
Chloe, parenting and lifestyle blogger at Beautiful Bundle of Chaos, told us that this style was her go-to:
“My absolute favourite ‘90s school shoes were the T-Bar by far! They made me feel like Cher from the film ‘Clueless’ (although I wasn’t allowed a heeled version like hers so I had to opt for the flats).”
Patent styles, delicate bows and cut-out detailing offer contemporary variation – though no back-to-school outfit is complete without a pair of white socks! This pair of Miss Riot Kirsty shoes or some Kickers Fragma T-bars are great if your little one loves this trend.
Which is your favourite ‘90s-style school shoe? We’d love to know your thoughts – head over to our Facebook page and let us know! Browse the full collection of cheap school shoes today at Wynsors and find quality bargains in time for back-to-school season.
