17 Celebrities Rocking Glamorous Flats On The Red Carpet

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The Cannes Film Festival organizers took on a storm of criticism in 2015 after denying some women entry to a premiere because they were wearing flats.

Even the women who physically could not wear heels due to medical conditions were denied. The festival organizers did not comment on the issue, but they did confirm that it is obligatory for female attendees to be in high heels to red-carpet screenings.

The policy is no doubt backward and archaic, but the interesting thing is that the Cannes Film Festival has been letting women walk the red carpet in flats. Heel-shunning Uma Thurman has been walking the Cannes red carpet like a goddess for years, and you may remember Karlie Kloss slaying it last year in a pair of Valentino studded flat sandals.

Our point is that flats can look just as glamorous and fabulous as heels on the red carpet. These 17 celebrities prove it.

1. Gal Gadot in $50 Aldo Gladiator Sandals

Partially due to back injury, but also to stay more comfortable, Gal Gadot rocked a pair of budget-friendly $50 Aldo “Starda” gladiator sandals (available at Amazon) to the Wonder Woman premiere held at The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

Gal Gadot wearing gladiator flats at the “Wonder Woman” world premiere held at The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood on May 25, 2017Gal Gadot wearing gladiator flats at the “Wonder Woman” world premiere held at The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood on May 25, 2017

2. Uma Thurman in Jimmy Choo “Fiona” Flat Sandals

Uma Thurman floated down the 2011 Cannes Film Festival red carpet in a Chanel Fall 2008 couture cap-sleeve gown and Jimmy Choo “Fiona” flat sandals. Like Karlie, Uma also repeated the gown and flats ensemble at that year’s amfAR gala.

Uma Thurman floated down the 2011 Cannes Film Festival red carpet in a Chanel Fall 2008 couture cap-sleeve gown and Jimmy Choo "Fiona" flat sandalsUma Thurman at the “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” premiere held on day 4 of the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 14, 2011

Uma Thurman at the amFar Cinema Against AIDS Gala held on day 9 of the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 19, 2011Uma Thurman at the amFar Cinema Against AIDS Gala held on day 9 of the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 19, 2011

3. Emma Watson in Creatures of Comfort Slip-On Style Flats

Fashion critics did not like the satin gown from Ronald van der Kemp that Emma Watson wore at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, which she accessorized with Lilian Von Trapp jewelry and Creatures of Comfort slip-on style flats with a wraparound tie.

Emma Watson wearing a custom Ronald van der Kemp gownEmma Watson wearing a custom Ronald van der Kemp gown

Susan Sarandon, Rosa Clemente, Marai Larasi, and Emma Watson at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Party held after the 2018 Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2018Susan Sarandon, Rosa Clemente, Marai Larasi, and Emma Watson at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Party held after the 2018 Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2018

4. Cate Blanchett in Jimmy Choo “Doodle” Sandals

Always queenly, Cate Blanchett stunned in a white Chloé tiered ruffle gown and Jimmy Choo “Doodle” sandals at the 2014 Crystal + Lucy Awards.

Cate Blanchett stunned in a white Chloé tiered ruffle gown and Jimmy Choo "Doodle" sandals at the 2014 Crystal + Lucy AwardsCate Blanchett at the 2014 Crystal + Lucy Awards at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California, on June 11, 2014

5. Kristen Stewart in Bloch “Fonteyn” Ballet Flats

If you think only tall celebrities can get away with wearing flats, 5’5″ Kristen Stewart disproved that. Crutches and a foot injury didn’t stop Kristen from looking fabulous in a Reem Acra Couture strapless gown and Bloch “Fonteyn” ballet flats at the 2013 Oscars.

Crutches and a foot injury didn't stop Kristen from looking fabulous in a Reem Acra couture strapless gown and Bloch "Fonteyn" ballet flats at the 2013 OscarsKristen Stewart at the 85th annual Oscars held at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 24, 2013

6. Lana Del Rey in Nude Glitter Flats

Lana Del Rey was a beauty in a blue-and-silver Giorgio Armani Spring 2012 double-face silk gown and nude glitter flats at the 2012 Echo Awards.

Lana Del Rey was a beauty in a blue-and-silver Giorgio Armani Spring 2012 double-face silk gown and nude glitter flats at the 2012 Echo AwardsLana Del Rey at the 2012 Echo Awards held at the Palais am Funkturm in Berlin, Germany, on March 22, 2012

7. Elle Macpherson in Jimmy Choo Gold-Beaded T-Strap Flats

Elle Macpherson let her natural boho style peek through in her green-and-gold Roberto Cavalli one-shoulder gown and Jimmy Choo gold-beaded t-strap flats ensemble at the 4th annual Women’s World Awards.

Elle Macpherson let some of her natural boho style peek through in her green-and-gold Roberto Cavalli one-shoulder gown and Jimmy Choo gold-beaded t-strap flatsElle Macpherson at the 4th annual Women’s World Awards in Vienna, Austria, on March 5, 2009

8. Abbie Cornish in Aldo “Kaprisha” Flats

Abbie Cornish gave her red Giulietta Spring 2012 dress a splash of laidback Australian vibe with Aldo “Kaprisha” flats.

Abbie Cornish gave her red Giulietta Spring 2012 dress a splash of laidback Australian vibe with Aldo "Kaprisha" flatsAbbie Cornish at the “Seven Psychopaths” premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, on September 7, 2012

9. Bianca Balti in Silver Gladiator Sandals

Another celebrity to walk the Cannes’ red carpet in flats, Italian model Bianca Balti showed off some of her professional poses in a navy Chanel spring 2012 Couture jewel-embellished dress and silver gladiator sandals.

Bianca Balti showed off some of her professional poses in a navy Chanel spring 2012 Couture jewel-embellished dress and silver gladiator sandalsBianca Balti at the “Clouds of Sils Maria” premiere at the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 23, 2014

10. Emma Thompson in Christian Louboutin “Toboggan” Glitter Flats

Emma Thompson famously threw her Louboutin heels over her shoulder and just wore flats to her next red carpet event instead.

Opting for Christian Louboutin‘s “Toboggan” gold glitter flats, the 56-year-old British actress happily and comfortably walked the red carpet at the 2014 SAG Awards.

Opting for monsieur Christian Louboutin's "Toboggan" gold glitter flats, the 56-year-old British actress happily and comfortably walked the red carpet at the 2014 SAG AwardsEmma Thompson at the 20th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, on January 19, 2014

11. Nicole Kidman in Thong Sandals

Nicole Kidman channeled the complete opposite of her witchy role in a floaty, white Yves Saint Laurent dress and gold thong sandals at the ‘Bewitched’ premiere.

Nicole Kidman channeled the complete opposite of her witchy role in a floaty, white Yves Saint Laurent dressNicole Kidman at the “Bewitched” film premiere held at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on June 21, 2005

12. Carole Bouquet in T-Strap Sandals

Carole Bouquet embodied French sophistication in a forest green Prada dress and t-strap sandals at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

Carole Bouquet flats red carpetCarole Bouquet at the “Foxcatcher” premiere at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 19, 2014

13. Gwendoline Christie in Roger Vivier Buckle Flats

Gwendoline Christie embraced every inch of her 6’3″ height in a majestic Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2015 couture cape paired with black trousers and black Roger Vivier buckle flats.

Gwendoline Christie embraced every inch of her 6'3" height in a majestic Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2015 couture cape paired with black trousers and black Roger Vivier buckle flatsGwendoline Christie at the “Game of Thrones season 5” premiere at the Tower of London in London, England, on March 18, 2015

14. Alexa Chung in Manolo Blahnik “Okkato” Jeweled Shoes

Alexa Chung stuck to the oriental theme of the 2015 Met Gala in an Erdem strapless embroidered gown but bucked the stiletto trend in low-heeled Manolo Blahnik “Okkato” jeweled shoes.

Alexa Chung stayed within the China theme of the 2015 Met Gala in an Erdem strapless embroidered gownAlexa Chung at the “China: Through The Looking Glass” Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 4, 2015

15. Inès de La Fressange in Flat Sandals

When we think of a celebrity that should really prove to the Cannes Film Festival that women should be allowed to wear flats, we think of Inès de La Fressange.

The French aristocrat has been wearing nothing but flats to the festival for years and has killed the fashion game each and every single time.

Inès de La Fressange is who the Cannes Film Festival should be referring to in proving that women are not limited to heels only on their red carpetLeft: Inès de La Fressange at the “Mad Max: Fury Road” premiere at the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 14, 2015 / Right: At the “Irrational Man” premiere at 68th annual Cannes Fim Festival in Cannes, France, on May 15, 2015

Inès de La Fressange at the "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" premiere at the 65th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 18, 2012; At "The Bling Ring" premiere at 66th Cannes Fim Festival in Cannes, France, on May 16, 2013Left: Inès de La Fressange at the “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” premiere at the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 18, 2012 / Right: At “The Bling Ring” premiere at 66th annual Cannes Fim Festival in Cannes, France, on May 16, 2013

Inès de La Fressange at "The Great Gatsby" premiere at 66th Cannes Fim Festival in Cannes, France, on May 15, 2013; At the "How to Train Your Dragon 2" premiere at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 16, 2014Left: Inès de La Fressange at “The Great Gatsby” premiere at 66th annual Cannes Fim Festival in Cannes, France, on May 15, 2013 / Right: At the “How to Train Your Dragon 2” premiere at the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 16, 2014

16. Charlize Theron in T-Strap Flat Sandals

Charlize Theron was a goddess in a white Grecian drape gown and black t-strap flat sandals at the opening of the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai.

Charlize Theron wearing flats at the launch of the new Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on November 20, 2008Charlize Theron wearing flats at the launch of the new Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on November 20, 2008

17. Karlie Kloss in Chanel and Valentino Flat Sandals

Karlie Kloss graced the opening ceremony of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival in a maroon Valentino Spring 2014 sheer lace gown and Valentino t-strap flat sandals. For that festival season’s amfAR gala, Karlie once again donned Chanel flats with a navy Chanel Fall 2011 couture pearl-beaded gown.

Karlie Kloss at the "Grace of Monaco" premiere and opening ceremony of the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 14, 2014Karlie Kloss at the “Grace of Monaco” premiere and the opening ceremony of the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 14, 2014

Karlie Kloss wearing flats at the amfAR 21st Annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala held during the 67th Cannes Film Festival at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France, on May 22, 2014Karlie Kloss wearing flats at the amfAR 21st Annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala held during the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France, on May 22, 2014

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