Sandals have been a popular footwear item since time immemorial, and for good reason. They are tough, durable, easy to take on and off, and comfortable. They are also lightweight and can be worn with most outfits. Sandals have now evolved to include extra height, like the wedge and platform sandals. Because there are so many kinds of sandals, it can be tough to make a decision about what kind of sandal you’re looking for.

So what’s the difference between wedges and platform sandals, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of each?

Wedges are an outsole that thickens at the heel to form a wedge. The advantages of wedges are that they provide additional height without the instability of a traditional heel.

Wedges were first introduced to the fashion scene in the late 1930s by Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo, and have remained there ever since.

If you’re looking for a sandal that will support your arch, wedges are for you. Unlike traditional heels, in which your arch is subjected to balancing on a tiny stilt, wedges allow your foot to widen out more naturally, which support the natural balance of your arch.

Wedges also happen to be very “in” at the moment. Their popularity has ebbed and flowed for decades, and you’re in luck, because the wedge rage has not slowed recently.

Basically, wedges give you the height and style of heels without the discomfort. It’s a serious win-win.

Before you settle completely with the idea of wedge sandals, you should take a minute to consider platforms. Platform sandals have a thick sole all the way across the shoe, instead of just thickening at the heel. While platform shoes were worn hundreds of years ago to keep people further from the street and to give royalty a bit of a height advantage, they were not popularized in modern fashion until the 1970s. Platforms were extremely popular among women and men in the disco era, but now are preferred mostly by women. They still hold the image of a “party shoe.”

Platform sandals have had a boost of popularity in recent years as ‘70s and ‘80s fashion is making a nostalgic comeback, and this is something to be excited about. As an article in the Wall Street Journal proclaimed, “You don’t walk [in platforms]. You stride.” It’s true that the added inches will give you confidence, but it also reduces the stress put on the balls of your feet with the extra padding.

Both wedge and platform sandals can add a bit of flirty fun to your wardrobe, and will do your feet many more favors than flats without any cushioning or high heels that put too much stress on the toes.

Check out the different varieties of wedge and platform sandals available on AlohaShoes.com and ponder whether you’re a wedge kinda gal or if platforms are more your jam. Maybe you can do both! Either way, AlohaShoes.com has a variety of products to choose from so that you can be a fashionista from the city to the beach. Try the wedged Pualani or the platform Wahine and strut your stuff.