You’ve seen them. Even if you weren't alive in the seventies, you’ve definitely scrolled past a grainy photo of someone leaning against a disco ball wearing shoes that looked more like an aquarium than footwear. I'm talking about the infamous platform heels with goldfish. They are the peak of "too much" fashion. Honestly, they’re probably the most polarizing thing to ever happen to a shoe rack.
People tend to think these were a massive, everyday trend that everyone from suburban moms to Studio 54 regulars wore. That’s not quite right. They were actually a very specific, very controversial flash in the pan. They represent a moment when fashion stopped caring about being practical—or even particularly kind—and went full-tilt into the absurd.
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The Disco Era and the Rise of the Aquarium Shoe
The 1970s were weird. Fashion was loud, polyester was everywhere, and shoes were getting taller by the month. As the disco scene exploded, designers were desperate to find the next "big" thing to catch the light on the dance floor. Enter the "aquarium shoe."
These weren't just high; they were architectural. We’re talking three to five inches of clear acrylic or Lucite. The hollowed-out base was the perfect canvas. Some designers put glitter in there. Others put fake flowers. But the version that stuck in the collective memory—and caused the most outrage—was the platform heels with goldfish.
It wasn't a corporate brand like Nike or Gucci leading the charge. These were mostly boutique items or custom jobs found in the eclectic shops of Greenwich Village or London’s King's Road. They were statement pieces meant for one thing: getting noticed. And they worked. You can't exactly ignore a person who has a miniature ecosystem strapped to their feet.
Were the fish actually alive?
This is the question everyone asks. The answer is: sometimes. In the early days of the trend, some people did actually put live feeder goldfish into the water-filled chambers of their Lucite platforms. It sounds like a joke, but the 70s were a lawless time for animal rights in fashion.
However, it was a disaster. Technically and ethically.
Think about the physics. You’re at a club. You’re dancing. You’re walking. Every step is basically a massive earthquake for a fish. Then there’s the oxygen issue. A sealed acrylic heel has zero aeration. Most of those poor fish didn't survive the first thirty minutes of a night out. It was a logistical nightmare that quickly transitioned from "edgy fashion" to "disturbing spectacle."
The Backlash and the Urban Legend
As the trend trickled into the 1980s, the myth of the platform heels with goldfish actually became bigger than the shoes themselves. Organizations like the ASPCA and various animal rights groups (which were gaining significant traction during this era) stepped in. The outcry was loud.
By the time the movie I'm Gonna Git You Sucka came out in 1988, the shoes had become a parody. The character Flyguy, played by Antonio Fargas, wore a pair of these platforms filled with water and very visible (fake) goldfish. It was a satire of the "Pimp" aesthetic from the 70s blaxploitation films. Because of that movie, a lot of people think the shoes were a staple of 1970s street style, but they were actually more of a niche costume piece by that point.
The engineering of the "Fake" Fish Heel
Because of the obvious cruelty and the fact that dead fish in your shoes is a terrible look, manufacturers got smart. They started making "aquarium" shoes with plastic, floating fish. These are the ones you usually find in vintage shops or costume stores today.
- Weight: Water is heavy. Walking in three-pound shoes is a workout.
- Leakage: Acrylic cracks. If you stepped too hard, you didn't just lose your fish; you got wet feet and a ruined outfit.
- Cloudiness: Real water gets gross fast. Synthetic "water" (often a clear gel or oil) stayed looking crisp under the neon lights.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With Them
Fashion is cyclical, but some things stay in the "never again" pile for a reason. Yet, we keep talking about these shoes. Why?
It’s the shock value. In a world where fast fashion produces millions of identical t-shirts, the idea of a handmade, transparent shoe with a living creature inside is fascinatingly bizarre. It represents a level of commitment to an "aesthetic" that we rarely see now.
Modern designers like Jeremy Scott or the team at Maison Margiela often play with the "object inside a shoe" concept, but they stay away from the live animal aspect. In 2009, there was a brief resurgence of "aquarium" heels on the runway, but they were filled with things like marbles, sand, or miniature plastic toys. We’ve collectively agreed that the fish belong in tanks, not in footwear.
How to Spot a Real Vintage Pair (And What to Avoid)
If you are a collector looking for original platform heels with goldfish, you have to be careful. Most of what you see on eBay or Etsy are reproductions from the late 90s rave scene.
Genuine 70s pairs are rare. The Lucite from that era tends to yellow or become brittle. If the "water" inside looks like it has turned into a thick, brown syrup, that’s actually a good sign of age—the original liquids used to stabilize the plastic have broken down over fifty years.
- Check the Sole: Original 70s platforms often had leather or high-density rubber soles glued to the Lucite.
- Look for Scratches: Real Lucite from the disco era will have "crazing"—tiny internal cracks from decades of pressure.
- The Fish Test: If the fish look too realistic, they might be modern resin pours. The 70s versions were usually very cheap-looking plastic "cracker jack" style toys.
The Ethical Shift in Fashion
The death of the live-goldfish heel was one of the first times pop culture really pushed back against animal cruelty in the name of a trend. It paved the way for the later battles against real fur and exotic skins. Today, even if a designer tried to bring back the live version, the social media backlash would end their career in minutes.
That’s a good thing.
We can appreciate the sheer audacity of the design without needing to bring biology into it. The "Aquarium" look is still cool. It’s kitschy, it’s camp, and it’s undeniably fun. But the modern version uses glitter, LED lights, or 3D-printed charms. It gives you the same "floating" effect without the guilt.
Actionable Steps for the Bold Dresser
If you're dead set on rocking this look, don't go digging for a 50-year-old pair that might shatter under your weight. Instead, follow these steps to get the "goldfish" vibe safely and ethically:
- Search for "Fillable Platforms": Brands like Pleaser or various indie "pole-wear" designers make shoes with hollow, screw-top bottoms. You can buy these and fill them yourself.
- Use Resin, Not Water: If you’re DIYing, don't use real water. It will eventually grow algae or leak. Use a clear casting resin to "freeze" your plastic fish in place. It looks better and lasts forever.
- Weight Management: Only fill the heel, not the entire platform. It keeps the center of gravity low so you don't roll an ankle.
- The "Flyguy" Aesthetic: If you want the full 70s look, pair them with wide-leg trousers that hit just at the top of the shoe. Let the fish be a surprise when you walk.
The platform heels with goldfish remain a legendary footnote in fashion history. They remind us that style should be fun, but they also remind us that there's a very clear line between "statement piece" and "bad idea." Stick to the plastic fish, keep the heels high, and leave the actual goldfish in the pond where they can breathe.