The Most Popular Shoes From The Year You Were Born

Aren't you curious about what the most popular shoes were from the year you were born? Well, let's take a look. Evie's product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love. 1970 Starting the ‘70s off strong, the platform shoe was the most popular shoe trend. Platform shoes, made of wood or cork material, became popular on the dance floor as they were loud and funky. The “platform” referred to the thick, chunky sole of the shoe and a matching heel, heavily influenced by the disco scene! ASOS Stradivarius Chunky Platform Mules, $66 1971 The platform trend didn’t stop at the platform shoe and expanded to include platform boots. The platform boot was a taller version, featuring the same chunky heel but added bling. Many platform boots were decorated with embroidery or glitter, and were meant to be worn with miniskirts! Free People Ruby Shine Platform Boots, $298 1972 A direct result of the popularity of televised sports, athletic wear became the newest style of shoe to reach the masses. The ‘72 Olympics made track sneakers high in demand for casual wear, not just for the gym. Athletic wear or athleisure is still worn as a fashionable, casual style today! Nike Classic Cortez Sneaker, $80 1973 After the hype of the platform shoe plateaued, the clog rose to fame again. The post-‘60s earth movement brought together natural materials like cork and leather. The ease of a slip-on shoe paired well with the flowy clothing trends of the ’70s, like bell bottoms and loose dresses. Urban Outfitters Buckle Clog, $69 1974 Comfort and function were the ultimate contrast to the popular platform shoe. In the spirit of the hippie counterculture movement, the year 1974 brought the world the first pair of Birkenstocks! Free People Arizona Vegan Birkenstock, $110 1975 Just as popular as the wedge haircut was the wedge sandal! Brown leather and a slanted wedge-shaped heel continued the vibe of 1960s Woodstock into the mid-70s. Lucky Brand Jemimmy Platform Sandal, $65 1976 Brown leather boots were another iconic shoe from the groovy era. While the platform boot was full of sparkle and eye-catching details, the brown leather boot was a return to earthier tones and materials. These soft boots looked great with peasant dresses and simple patterns of the mid-70s! Free People Ruby Platform Ankle Boots, $278 1977 Mary Janes are closed-toed shoes with a reputation for innocence. Commonly worn with frilly white socks, the Mary Jane is reminiscent of a softer ‘70s era and made a great shoe for casual or church settings. Dr. Martens Addina Quad Flower Mary Janes, $160 1978 In 1978, the tv show Dallas became a major hit with television viewers, and as expected, cowboy boots became the must-have shoe. Full country getups, complete with cowboy hats and denim, became the uniform of the late ‘70s and throughout the ’80s. They were worn with just about anything – dresses, the ever-popular miniskirt, and the looser pant options of the hippie generation! Free People Rancho Mirage Boots, $398 1979 An instant hit in Southern California, Vans Off the Wall checkered sneakers became a very popular shoe right before the turn of the decade. Marketed as a line of slip-on sneakers, Vans has remained one of the most popular pairs of casual shoes in the region for the last forty years! Vans Classic Checkered Slip-On, $65 1980 And, due to a recurring debate with Vans wearers, the Converse Chuck Taylor high-top sneaker has also remained one of the most popular shoes of all time. First introduced as a basketball shoe, these sneakers became increasingly popular throughout the decade, and were worn with everything from gym shoes to prom dresses. Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Top Converse Sneakers, $65 1981 Nike Air Jordans, named after basketball legend Michael Jordan, were insanely popular with both men and women in the early ‘80s and afterwards. Rihanna, classic sneakerhead, sported these shoes on multiple occasions throughout the decade, and affirmed a rising shoe trend. Nike Air Jordan 1 Mid, $125 1982 Along the lines of popular basketball shoes turned streetwear, the Adidas Superstar went mainstream in pop-culture in 1982. A basic white sneaker with classic Adidas detailing, the Superstar was the most popular Adidas shoe until the Forum was released a few years later. Adidas Superstar Shoe, $95 1983 While the ‘70s had their Texas-themed cowboy trend, the ‘80s had the Urban Cowboy. And the footwear of choice was the Minnetonka moccasin. Made of soft leather and suede, the moccasin had noticeable black stitching and Aztec-style embroidery. The moccasin was available (and popular) in a suede bootie option. Minnetonka Thunderbird II Moccasin, $63 1984 Preppy style also had its place in the 1980s, and the penny loafer was the shoe of choice. Made popular by stars such as Madonna, the penny loafer was an easy upgrade from the classic sneaker for those who gravitated toward elevated styles. J. Crew Winona Penny Loafers, $178 1985 A wild success story in athletic footwear was Reebok. Sales increased over $310 million in the year 1985, as everyone who was anyone was wearing them. Preferred over Nikes for a brief few years, the Reebok tennis shoes ruled the mid-‘80s and has become popular again over the last few months! Reebok Classic Leather Women’s Shoe, $75 1986 The ideal summer shoe was the Huaraches. Woven leather, modeled after Central American style, was the defining feature of these summer basics, and the criss-cross pattern was eventually added to a Nike sneaker of the same name. Nisolo Huarache Sandal, $130 1987 After the release of Dirty Dancing , Jennifer Grey’s white Keds became the must-have shoes for elementary to college-age women. Keds have been around since 1916, as one of the first canvas sneakers, and have been worn by iconic women such as Marilyn Monroe and Aubrey Hepburn! Keds Women's Champion Ortholite® Lace-Up Oxford Fashion Sneakers, $55 1988 The stiletto heel was the go-to heel for a night out, as it could add glam to any outfit. The shoe was commonly worn in black and with patterned tights. Steve Madden Vala Black Patent Stilettos, $100 1989 Another rival of popular sport brands like Nike and Reebok, L.A. Gear rose to popularity a few years earlier, but the market demand for these fun, sporty sneakers reached its height right before the start of the new decade. Made in a variety of colors and styles, L.A. Gear sneakers were the coolest shoes to wear on the first day of school. L.A. Gear Catapult Sneakers, $125 1990 Another shoe sensation, primarily due to its affordability, was the jelly shoe. Made of a colorful, gummy material, jelly shoes were worn for a variety of occasions. Jelly sandals, flats, and even kitten heels were all the rage of the late ‘80s and well into the early ‘90s. Free People Island Time Jelly Sandals, $30 1991 The oxford shoe was very much a “cool girl” shoe for hanging out at record stores. Classic black and white color scheme paired with cuffed jeans was an effortlessly cool look to start off the ‘90s. Trotters Lizzie Perf Lace Up Oxfords, $100 1992 The rise of grunge fashion brought Doc Martins to punk rock teens everywhere. Most recognizable by their yellow stitching, the Doc Martin boots were bold and heavy, inspired by military boots. Docs brought a dark contrast to bubblier styles of the ‘90s! Dr. Martens 2976 Quad Chelsea Boots, $200 1993 Flip-flops had been around for decades, but just now are seen on sandy beaches and runway shows. The thong flip-flop was a particularly popular style of these easy shoes that rise and fall in popularity every few years. In 1993 particularly, thong colors included metallic shades of gold and silver. TKEES Liners Flip Flop, $55 1994 The early ‘90s also saw the rise of the ankle bootie, commonly accessorized with buckles and straps on the side. The buckled bootie was available in a black heeled style or a shorter suede brown style, and was worn with a great amount of confidence. LifeStride Alexi Buckled Ankle Booties, $80 1995 Nude pumps were the go-to shoe in a world where business fashion was rapidly changing. Highly uncomfortable but versatile in wear, the nude pump could be worn to meetings and to dinner, and matched with the most basic of professional attire. Considered an “appropriate” shoe, teenagers and working women alike had a pair in their closet. Naturalizer Michelle Pumps, $115 1996 Affectionately known as the “dad sneaker,” chunky white New Balance tennis shoes were a must-have casual shoe. Wide, white, and noticeable under mom jeans, the dad sneaker has made quite the comeback over the last few years, as did most of ‘90s fashion. New Balance 608 V5 Training Shoe, $75 1997 Another well-loved classic, the Nike Air Force 1 was the white sneaker for tomboys and the least girlie of the girls. A perfect in-between for the chunky dad sneaker and a thin canvas sneaker, the Air Force 1 is still a popular shoe choice, now that, well, the ‘90s are back. Nike Air Force 1 '07, $110 1998 One of the most unique shapes in heels, the “cake stand” heel combined other shoe trends like the square toe to create a fun shoe that walked all over the red carpet. The heel itself looks like its name, with a thin heel that flares out to a square peg. These shoes were super fun and full of color and embellishments! Gianni Bini Vivyee Clear Rhinestone Pointed Toe Sculptural Heel Pumps, $54 1999 Just as blue eyeshadow and bucket hats were on the top of the fashion trends at the end of the ‘90s, the Steve Madden Slinky sandal was the shoe to have, if style was a priority. Loud, clunky, and all black (from the strap to the sole), Steve Madden still sells this effortlessly cool shoe today! Steve Madden Slinky30 Black, $90 2000 Similar to the fan-crazed momentum of items like Beanie Babies, UGG boots had their moment in 2000. Soft fur lining and basic colors like brown and black characterized these boots for a short few years. UGG Women's Classic II Short Boots, $170 2001 Another trademark look of Y2K fashion is the kitten heel strappy sandal. Worn for the dance floor or casual wear, the heeled sandal was worn by leading ladies in early 2000s rom-coms and by most of their adult viewers. And because this trend is back again in 2022, these strappy shoes are all over social media and influencer campaigns! J. Crew Violeta Kitten-Heel Sandals, $168 2002 One of the most controversial pairs of shoes, both loved and despised, is Crocs. Croc shoes are simply foam clogs, featuring small holes at the toes for breathability and comfort. Popular with (some) men, women, and children, Crocs come in a variety of colors and can be customized with shoe charms. Classic Crocs, $50 2003 The ballet flat reemerged as more than just a dance shoe in 2003, before fashion designers decided they were once again too flat and too basic. However, for formal occasions and travel, the ballet flat became a more comfortable alternative to high heels! J. Crew Zoe Leather Ballet Flats, $128 2004 Much like the previous decades, a leather riding boot became a popular style of boot. Most popular in a cognac brown color, the riding boot was worn with everything from jeans and sweaters to dresses and skirts, and were common holiday gift options for wives and daughters. INC International Concepts Fawne Wide-Calf Riding Leather Boots, $180 2005 Square-toed sandals had their time on the red carpet as well. Commonly worn by actresses and other famous women, the square-toed sandal had a specific shape, unlike the typical pointy toe style. Typically accompanied by a short kitten heel, these sandals were all the rage! Steve Madden Alaina-R Silver Heels, $110 Closing Thoughts Style is often cyclical, so the shoes that were popular when you were born or too young to wear them may have come back around (or will soon reemerge), and now you'll have your chance to enjoy them too! Love Evie? Let us know what you love and what else you want to see from us in the official Evie reader survey .