Platform boots, long associated with rock, metal and goth style, are finding a new audience among K-pop fans. For some concertgoers, the tall footwear is both a fashion choice and a way to see the stage more clearly from the crowd.
The boots were visible among fans attending BTS’s three sold-out performances in São Paulo this week. Data analyst Sabryna Rodrigues, 22, said she bought her first pair after seeing the idea on TikTok. At 1.50 meters tall, she gained 10 centimeters in height and hoped to avoid the poor view she had experienced at a previous concert in the standing area.
Rio de Janeiro-based sales assistant Luani Nunes, also 1.50 meters tall, bought a pair with a 16-centimeter platform after BTS announced its Brazil performances, even before she had secured a ticket. She said the look is not part of her everyday style, as she has usually worn sneakers or sandals to concerts.
Fans have also shared tips on social media and bought boots from online retailers such as Shein and Shopee. In São Paulo, the Galeria do Rock shopping center has become a destination for people looking for the footwear. Gabriel Vilela, owner of Vilela Boots, said platform sales have grown over the past year, driven in part by K-pop fans who tag the store in social media posts.
Vilela said customers buy the boots for their appearance, but he has also seen more people seeking extra height for concerts. Demand rises ahead of events such as Rock in Rio, he said. This year, when the festival held a day dedicated to South Korean pop for the first time, the store ran out of its ready-to-buy platform boots. Interest also increased in the weeks before BTS’s visit, with the Galeria do Rock busier than usual.
The store makes boots to order, with platforms reaching up to 14 centimeters. Vilela cautioned that walking in them takes practice. Nunes, who planned to attend two BTS shows, researched ways to stay comfortable while standing for hours, including using pain-relief patches, bandages and socks.
Sales analyst Giovanna Uebele, 25, first liked the style after seeing other people wear it. She bought a pair for an Enhypen performance in July and later wore it to see BTS. Her boots add 10 centimeters to her height, and she said the look fits the K-pop audience, where fans enjoy dressing up.
Sources: Folha Ilustrada.