Phrases › At the Shoe Shop › Ha scarpe con il plateau?

Ha scarpe con il plateau?

Do you have platform shoes?

Pronunciation

'Plateau' is a French loanword used in Italian fashion: 'pla-TO'. Stress on second syllable.

When to use it

Looking for platform-soled shoes — a recurring trend in Italian fashion. Useful when you want height without a heel.

What it means

'Il plateau' = the platform sole. A French loanword fully adopted into Italian fashion vocabulary. 'Zeppa' is the Italian word for a wedge heel — different from a true platform.

Variations

Ha scarpe con la zeppa?

Do you have wedge heel shoes?

'Zeppa' = wedge — different from flat platform

Quanto è alto il plateau?

How high is the platform?

Asking about platform height in centimetres

Il plateau è stabile?

Is the platform stable?

Asking about stability — platforms vary in walkability

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Ha scarpe da ginnastica con il plateau? Cerco altezza senza tacco. Commessa: Sì — questo modello ha un plateau di quattro centimetri. Molto di moda. Cliente: Non è difficile camminare? Commessa: No, è molto stabile. Le fa provare?

Customer: Do you have platform trainers? I want height without a heel. Assistant: Yes — this style has a four-centimetre platform. Very fashionable. Customer: Is it difficult to walk in? Assistant: No, it's very stable. Shall I have you try them?

Cultural Note

Platform soles ('plateau') have been recurring in Italian fashion since the 1970s. Italian designers like Miuccia Prada have repeatedly elevated the platform to high fashion status. In Italy they're worn with jeans, dresses and even suits.

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Ha espadrillas?

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