Rei

You're right I don't care for platforms. I like them even less when they dominate the market like they are now. It's makes it really difficult to find something I like. When you've been trained to walk on a single sole stiletto a platform is literally a pain in the foot for me. If you want to wear plats that's okay. I would recommend however no more then a 4 inch rise between ball and heel of the foot for your initial forays outside. Trust me you are going want to be comfortable in them for the long haul, so don't overdo the height at first.