In the nineties, we all suffered a bit of a seventies flashback, and shoes responded by turning a little bit - well - blocky. Platform soles and chunky heels were the thing all through the britpop years, before we all got into kitten heels which in turn led to the elegant and graceful (if a little tough to wear) stems that have been dominating footwear more recently.
It's easy to look at these chunky-soled shoes in charity shops now - particularly the ones with heels that flared out at the end like bell-bottoms - and think 'yuck!' But I have to warn you, the look is coming back in the form of tree-trunk heels, often in bright colours to enhance the look. Prada has gone in for it big-time in its A/W 09/10 collection, Calvin Klein takes and almost cubist approach (above left) Lanvin has gone in for a softer look (above right). Are you ready to wear block heels again?