14 Celebrity Shoe Moments That Defined 2014 Fashion — From Heels to Sneakers and Everything in Between

Looking back at 2014, celebrity footwear made headlines for all the right — and sometimes bizarre — reasons.

It was a year full of unexpected shoe moments, from Victoria Beckham embracing flats to models walking runways in heels while pregnant, and the rise of intentionally “ugly” Birkenstocks. In this roundup, we revisit some of the most talked-about celebrity shoe moments that helped shape fashion trends both then and now.

1. Emma Thompson Ditches Her Heels and Goes Barefoot on Stage

Emma Thompson ditched her Louboutins and walked barefoot on stage to present an award. A week later, at the SAG Awards, she didn’t even try to wear heels and just went in flats (though they’re still Louboutins).

2. Kate Bosworth Confirms Her Dior Rose-Appliqué Pumps at LAX

We asked Kate on Twitter about the gorgeous pair of flats she was spotted wearing at LAX, and she replied that they were Dior.

Kate Bosworth arriving at LAX in Los Angeles on January 21, 2014, wearing Dior rose-appliqué pointy pumps that perfectly complemented her chic leather and lace ensemble (Credit: WENN)

3. Kim Kardashian and Family Rock Matching Red Yeezy Sneakers

Kardashian-Wests: taking coordinating family outfits to a whole new level.

Kim Kardashian shared a sweet Instagram photo on February 16, 2014, showing her family’s matching red Nike Air Yeezy II sneakers, affectionately captioned “#Famleezys!!!”

4. Victoria Beckham Balances Flat Manolos and Treadmill Heels

Victoria Beckham once famously admitted, “I can’t concentrate in flats.” Yet, she became enamored with her flat Manolo Blahnik oxfords — proving that even the queen of heels can make comfort look chic.

In February 2014, Manolo Blahnik expressed his delight that Victoria Beckham featured his flat brogues — a woman’s version of his classic men’s design — in her show, moving away from towering heels.

After Beckham approached him for the collaboration, they worked closely to develop the style. Blahnik praised Beckham’s passion, work ethic, and clear creative vision, calling her collections chic, simple, elegant, and perfectly timed to fill a gap for beautifully crafted, feminine dresses.

A month later, Victoria tweeted a picture of herself wearing Casadei high-heeled booties while on a treadmill.

Victoria Beckham shared this snap on Twitter on March 12, 2014, showing her testing a treadmill desk while confidently wearing sky-high Casadei high-heeled booties

5. Karlie Kloss Proves Flats Can Be Red-Carpet Glamorous

Not that she needs the height from heels. Karlie Kloss wore Chanel flats to the amfAR 21st Annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala and Valentino flats to the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

Karlie Kloss attended the amfAR 21st Annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala during the 67th Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2014, pairing her elegant beaded gown with chic Chanel flats for a refreshing red carpet twist (Credit: WENN)

Karlie Kloss walked the red carpet at the Opening Ceremony of the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2014, wearing a sheer Valentino lace gown paired with elegant Valentino flats that balanced comfort with couture (Credit: WENN)

6. Angelina Jolie Surprises in Gold Saint Laurent Sandals

Is this for real? Are our eyes deceiving us? Angelina Jolie wore gold Saint Laurent “Jane” sandals for a date night with Brad Pitt in Australia.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt greeting fans before heading to dinner at the Shipwreck Bar & Grill in Airlie Beach, Australia, on February 4, 2014

7. Dita Von Teese Breaks Tradition with Sneakers at a Detox Spa

2014 was the year when the things we thought were impossible actually happened.

Dita Von Teese shared this Instagram photo on January 29, 2014, playfully captioning her look in trainers at a detox spa in Sicily as “My attempt to look chic in these trainers they made me wear.”

8. Chanel’s Supermarket Runway Show Turns Sneakers Into Haute Couture

We don’t blame the models and the fashion show attendees for taking the Chanel-branded cereal, rice, cotton balls, and doormats off the shelves.

A model struts in sporty Chanel sneakers during the brand’s Fall 2014 fashion presentation at the Grand Palais in Paris on March 4, 2014, blending high fashion with supermarket-inspired streetwear (Credit: WENN)

9. Kate Middleton Balances on Cork Wedges at Manly Beach

Does becoming a royal give one levitating powers, too? The Duchess of Cambridge and her cork heels would not sink into the sand.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visited Manly Beach in Sydney during the royal tour of Australia on April 18, 2014, wearing cork wedge sandals that effortlessly balanced beachside style with royal elegance (Credit: WENN)

10. Shailene Woodley Walks Barefoot at the Divergent Premiere

Recreating the barefooted moment at The Spectacular Now premiere in 2013, Shailene Woodley showed the tree-hugger side of her personality again at the Divergent premiere in Germany.

Shailene Woodley walked barefoot on stage at the Divergent premiere at Cinestar am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Germany, on April 1, 2014, adding her signature earthy touch to the glamorous event (Credit: WENN)

11. Angelina Jolie Debuts Custom Louboutin ‘Maleficent’ Wedges

The ‘Maleficent’ shoes come in white, black, gold, and red, and Angelina has them all.

Angelina Jolie attended the Maleficent photocall at the Corinthian Hotel in London on May 9, 2014, wearing custom white Christian Louboutin ‘Maleficent’ wedges inspired by her film’s dark fairy aesthetic (Credit: WENN)

12. Mariah Carey Rides the NYC Subway in a Gown and Gianvito Rossi Heels

The funny thing was that Mariah Carey changed out of Sergio Rossi heels and into Gianvito Rossi heels as if they were any more comfortable for riding the subway.

Mariah Carey posted this Instagram photo on May 30, 2014, showing her glamorously riding the New York subway in a sparkling Versace gown paired with silver Gianvito Rossi stilettos

13. Pregnant Models Walk the Runway in High Heels

Uyo Okebie-Eichelberger, founder and designer of You! Lingerie introduced her new line of intimates using pregnant (and brave!) models.

Pregnant models confidently walked the runway in high heels during the You! Lingerie show at Lingerie Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015, held at Center 548 in New York City on October 25, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

14. The Rise of the “Ugly Shoe” Trend in 2014

In 2014, the clunkier, the uglier, and the more man-repelling the footwear, the better.

Jeffrey Campbell’s $95 “Romero” sandals feature wide crisscross leather straps, embracing the chunky, so-called “ugly shoe” trend that surged in 2014