When it comes to a splashy Hollywood red carpet, there’s a certain pressure for celebrities to constantly deliver something new. God forbid they wear the same thing twice (though a few, like Cate Blanchett, have mastered the art of the outfit repeat). A-Listers their stylists are tasked with creating endless fashion moments for public consumption, all of which require finding the hottest new dress, designer, or accessory. But sift through all of those dizzying fashions, and you will find certain tried-and-true pieces that forever make a cameo on step and repeat.
Just take the barely-there strappy sandal, the unsung hero of the red carpet.
Yes, the best (and most-worn) celebrity shoe is barely a shoe at all—rather, it’s a dainty little sandal that clings onto the foot. Recently, celebs have been favoring thin-heeled, ankle-hugging stilettos from labels such as Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and Gianvito Rossi, or newer brands like Amina Muaddi or Femme LA. “Your feet look nice in them, and they don’t take away from your outfit—they complement it,” said Femme LA founder Janis Tello of her popular minimalist styles, worn by everyone from Hailey Bieber to Sydney Sweeney.
Is a strappy slingback the most exciting and groundbreaking shoe to ever exist? Definitely not, given they have been a hot commodity since the 1990s, when stars like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow regularly wore them. (They go back even further, with iterations dating back to the 1920s.) That they have stood the test of time for so long is a testament to their versatility—they pair well with practically every clothing choice.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why they are still so widely favored today. Modern-day trendsetters like Ayo Edebiri, Hailey Bieber, and Jenna Ortega have all slipped into the indiscernible style; They cause you to focus on the rest of the look without distracting from it, while also offering a subtle sense of glamour (and a bit of added height).
Fashion is also in an extremely pared-back mood in general these days, and the unfussy stiletto matches the movement towards discrete dressing. Sure, every now and then a wild and wacky shoe hits the step and repeat, but they are very much flashes in a pan.
So, the next time you’re racking your brain trying to find a perfect shoe, do like Hollywood royalty and remember: less is more. The quietly-cool heel will always reign supreme.
