According to the fashion world , the Seventies are back — and there ’ s no one happier about it than me , as someone who lived and breathed every second of it . Designers such as Prada , Tom Ford and Gucci showered catwalks last year in flares , jumpsuits , wide-brimmed hats and wild prints . But the retro revival doesn ’ t stop at the ankles ; summer stilettos have been ditched in favour of towering platforms on almost every High Street in the country . As a top model during the Seventies , I lived in platforms . Bigger was always better , especially because — at 5 ft 8 in — I was a little on the short side for the fashion world . Scroll down for video . As a top model during the Seventies , Jilly Johnson ( pictured in early Seventies ) spent a lot of time wearing platform shoes . I had to bluff my way through shoots with billowing bell-bottoms and chunky shoes that looked fun , flirty and fabulous . But now , aged 61 and with 11 grandchildren , I ’ m not sure I can carry them off with such aplomb . Surely thin , slimming lines and elegant shapes are what I ’ m after rather than weighty clodhoppers ? To find out if they can ever be flattering , I put eight pairs through their paces . Kurt Geiger , £130 . Shoes : www.kurtgeiger.com . Completely inappropriate — but I think these are divine . I had a pair of red snakeprint platforms by Terry de Havilland like these more than 40 years ago . Sadly , those days are gone . No one over 30 should attempt these now . At 6 in , they are impossible to walk in , though the colour is fabulous . I ’ d call these ankle breakers . Height : 6 in . Wearability : 3/10 . Clarks , £150 . Shoes : www.clarks.co.uk . Help ! These look like dumb-bells stuck to my feet . They are out of proportion with my legs . I look absurd . Not even wearing these shoes with a delicate dress saves them . No thank you . Height : 5 in . Wearability : 0/10 . Next , £35 . Shoes : www.next.co.uk . These work because the straps are thin and dainty and the heel is not a thick wedge . They would jazz up a tailored suit or little black dress perfectly . I ’ d buy them in a heartbeat . Height : 5 in . Wearability : 9/10 . Russell & Bromley , £125 . Shoes : www.russellandbromley.co.uk . These are reminiscent of my Seventies ‘ peace , love and brown rice ’ days . The clog style is not sophisticated enough for a lady in her 60s . I clumped about as though walking on stilts . Height : 5 in . Wearability : 2/10 . Dune , £79 . Shoes : www.dunelondon.com . My absolute favourites : the front platform ( about an inch thick ) is just enough to boost your height without looking clunky . Orange is a bright and breezy colour for spring and summer . Height : 4.5 in . Wearability : 10/10 . Zara , £49.99 . Shoes : www.zara.com . I know I shouldn ’ t , but I love these skyscrapers . Forty years ago , I would have practically slept in them . Padded soles and thick ankle straps mean they are surprisingly comfortable . Height : 5 in . Wearability : 6/10 . Topshop , £55 . Shoes : www.topshop.com . From the knees down I look great , but I ’ m not sure a 61-year-old can get away with these . They are as subtle as a sledgehammer and too cumbersome in heavy looking black . Height : 5½ in . Wearability : 6/10 . Office , £65 . Shoes : www.office.co.uk . One of the sturdiest pair of heels I ’ ve ever worn . The soft leather and mule style is spot-on Seventies . The open toe is perfect for summer and these are age appropriate , too . Hallelujah ! Height : 4 in . Wearability : 10/10 .
The fashion trends of the moment show that Seventies style is back . Jilly Johnson was a top model then and spent a lot of time in platforms . Here she puts 5 pairs of sky-high heels through their paces .