The gender-bending icons who looked killer in heels

Creepers, platforms and even kitten heeled stilettos – since the emergence of Glam rock, alternative footwear has never been a no-go area for rock ’n’ rollers. Inspired by Acne’s menswear collection, which saw models take to the runway in skinny ribbed dresses paired with flares, rockstar aviator shades and killer heeled boots, here’s a rundown of some of the most iconic men to ditch the gender stereotypes and pick up the platforms.

LUX INTERIOR FROM THE CRAMPS

Performing alongside the fierce, rouge-haired belle Poison Ivy, Lux Interior was never one to shy away from outrageousness. Shirtless, full of raw power and usually wearing a pair of revealing leather trousers – The Cramps frontman spun around the stage covered in sweat, swallowing microphones and balancing his strange sexuality on heels.

SWEET

70s glam rock supergroup Sweet, brought the camp to rock 'n' roll. They wore tight golden spandex and red leather catsuits, with full-on dubious fringes, eyeliner and glitter – and topped it all off with triple-stacked, silver-plated platform boots. But the platforms they wore weren’t even the most outlandish aspect of their image – think deep v-necks and charcoal black lipstick.

DAVID BOWIE 

This wouldn’t be a comprehensive list without David Bowie, dubbed the “chameleon of rock”. Whether towering over others in beach platforms as Ziggy Stardust, or wearing stacked boots and bright red tights as the enigmatic, and almost punk-rock character Halloween Jack – if there’s anyone in the world of music that has done it all, be it shoe-wise or looks-wise, it’s Bowie.

THE NEW YORK DOLLS 

One of the first true American punk rock acts (alongside The Stooges and The Velvet Underground), 70s band New York Dolls maintained a clear aesthetic of drag-like androgyny. Wearers of the highest heels on this list, they deserve a special mention – not only for rocking sequinned short shorts ahead of their time, but for also being able to dance and jump up and down in the tightest trousers television has ever seen.

MARC BOLAN

Marc Bolan was the curly-haired, leopard print sporting, feather boa rocking guitar player and singer of T.Rex who pioneered the glittered cheekbone look. Whilst on stage, Bolan rocked stacked heels alongside lavish satin jumpsuits and top hats, topped off with stern and yet sultry pose and a pair of brogue-style platforms.

BRIAN ENO

The thin-framed Brian Eno graced the stages of the 70s and 80s with his own-brand of feathered glamour and the most dramatic mullet rock ’n’ roll has ever seen. Considered as one of the pioneers of glam – Roxy Music’s Eno was often spotted rocking platform shoes, wider than wide flares and bedazzled collars.