Rachel McAdams solidified her status as a red carpet standout during the 2016 awards season, consistently choosing silhouettes that balanced classic glamour with modern edge.
At the 68th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles, the Spotlight actress arrived to support director Tom McCarthy, wearing a look that remains a masterclass in texture and elevation.
Rachel McAdams wears her hair back at the 68th annual Directors Guild of America Awards held on February 6, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza / WENN / Jody Cortes / Dimitri Halkidis)
Choosing a sophisticated palette, she stepped out in a Michael Kors Collection sequined dress with a sheer panel skirt.
However, the true foundation of her statuesque silhouette was her choice of footwear—a pair of sky-high platforms designed to handle the weight of a floor-length hem with ease.
Rachel McAdams completed her sleek black gown with Brian Atwood’s iconic “Tribeca” platform sandals, using the sky-high silhouette to add height while maintaining red-carpet balance
Rachel added jewelry by Jacob & Co. and showed off her pretty feet in Brian Atwood’s “Tribeca” platform heels to complete her look.
The Brian Atwood “Tribeca” platform pumps became a red-carpet staple because they solved a specific problem celebrities faced during the 2010s’ obsession with sky-high heels: how to achieve dramatic height without unbearable discomfort.
By pairing a towering 6-inch stiletto with a 2-inch platform, the Tribeca reduced the felt incline to roughly 4 inches, delivering the visual impact of an ultra-high heel with the balance and wearability of a classic pump. This smart ratio allowed stars to walk long carpets and stand through extended ceremonies without sacrificing posture or confidence.
A close-up reveals the Brian Atwood “Tribeca” platform sandals, featuring a peep-toe front, ankle strap, and towering heel designed to deliver dramatic lift with structural stability
The actress lent hand-in-hand support to director Tom McCarthy, who was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film. The two posed together beside Tom’s nomination plaque.
“Spotlight” director Tom McCarthy and actress Rachel McAdams pose for photos together
Beyond comfort, the Tribeca earned its reputation as a stylish “workhorse.” Its sturdy platform and secure ankle strap offered stability on uneven red-carpet surfaces, while the peep-toe design added a polished, glamorous finish.
Designed by Brian Atwood—whose background in architecture influenced the shoe’s precise weight distribution—the Tribeca worked equally well hidden beneath sweeping gowns or on full display with shorter hemlines, where its substantial base helped elongate the legs for a truly statuesque silhouette.
Over the years, Brian Atwood’s iconic “Tribeca” platform sandals have been spotted on a wide range of celebrities, cementing their status as a red-carpet workhorse.
Standout moments include Jennifer Lopez dancing the night away in Swarovski-covered Tribeca platforms, Kate Hudson anchoring her Vanity Fair Oscar Party look with metallic Tribeca heels, and Greta Gerwig elevating a Prada ensemble with classic black satin Tribeca sandals.
The shoe’s versatility also shines through in bolder styling choices, from Lady Gaga choosing vivid red Tribeca platforms for a vintage-inspired premiere look to Hailee Steinfeld finishing her Romeo & Juliet premiere ensemble in Tribeca platform sandals, reinforcing the style’s lasting appeal across eras and aesthetics.
Brian Atwood’s iconic “Tribeca” patent-leather pumps feature a towering stiletto heel and substantial platform, engineered to deliver dramatic height with surprising stability on the red carpet
Rachel McAdams’ Shoe Legacy: Timeless Elegance with a Modern Edge
Across red carpets, premieres, and award ceremonies, Rachel McAdams has consistently demonstrated how thoughtful footwear choices can define an entire look.
Whether anchoring minimalist gowns with sleek sandals or embracing bold platforms to enhance her statuesque presence, her shoe style reflects a balance of classic sophistication and contemporary confidence.
For a deeper look at how her footwear has evolved—and the designers she returns to time and again—explore some of Rachel McAdams’ most memorable shoe and fashion moments below.
👠 Explore Rachel McAdams’ Best Shoe & Fashion Moments:
- 📏 Rachel McAdams’ shoe size, height & standout heels — a foundational overview of her signature designer heel moments across red carpet and premiere appearances.
- ✨ Rachel McAdams at the 2016 Oscars in Stuart Weitzman Nudistplatform sandals — a sleek red-carpet sandal moment that helped frame her minimalist glamour.
- 👠 Rachel McAdams’ Morning Glory premiere footwear — elegant Lanvin and Michael Kors heels that balanced classic style with bold platform impact.
- 💎 Rachel McAdams stuns in Saint Laurent at the About Time Munich premiere — sophisticated heels paired with a sleek black mini for timeless red carpet elegance.
- 👡 Rachel McAdams completes a dreamy look with Casadei platform pumps — a chic platform moment from her About Time UK premiere, showcasing bold color and texture.
- 👠 Rachel McAdams shines at the 2024 Tony Awards in Givenchy & Santoni heels — modern Italian craftsmanship meets statuesque red-carpet style.