On July 12, 2016, Vanessa Hudgens was photographed running errands in Studio City, California, wearing the same Alexander Wang “Gabi” ankle boots she had styled earlier that spring for a visit to a Beverly Hills salon.
While the outfits were very different—a sporty crop-top-and-leggings combination in July and a plunging jumpsuit in April—the boots remained a constant. Their tapered toe and distinctive cutout heel made them work with both casual and fashion-focused looks, demonstrating why statement ankle boots often become wardrobe staples.
The exposed metal inset in the heel created the illusion of a floating block heel, a detail that became one of Alexander Wang’s most recognizable footwear signatures during the mid-2010s.
Vanessa Hudgens Styles Alexander Wang Gabi Boots With Athleisure Basics
Vanessa Hudgens runs errands in Studio City wearing Wildfox aviator sunglasses, Kate Spade bow-detail leggings, Alexander Wang “Gabi” boots, a Tommy Hilfiger denim shirt tied at the waist, and a Jerome Dreyfuss python bag (Credit: WENN)
For her grocery run, Hudgens paired the boots with everyday essentials, showing how a fashion-forward ankle boot can add structure to an otherwise relaxed outfit.
Hudgens built the outfit around simple athleisure staples, pairing Kate Spade leggings with a cropped tee and a Tommy Hilfiger denim shirt tied at the waist. The casual pieces created a relaxed backdrop for the more structured Alexander Wang boots.
Vanessa Hudgens flaunts her toned abs in a crop top and leggings, adding a denim shirt for a chic edge on July 12, 2016 (Credit: WENN)
She kept accessories minimal, adding Wildfox Baroness aviator sunglasses and a snakeskin Jerome Dreyfuss Igor bag.
The Alexander Wang boots provided the strongest design element, contrasting with the sporty separates through their sharp silhouette and sculptural heel.
Unlike many statement ankle boots of the period, the “Gabi” balanced its dramatic appearance with a stable block heel, helping explain why it became a repeat-wear piece rather than a special-occasion purchase.
Vanessa Hudgens completes her casual look with natural curls and bold red lipstick (Credit: WENN)
She wore her dark locks in natural curls and completed the look with deep red lipstick.
Vanessa Hudgens’ leather ankle boots feature tapered toes and concealed side-zip closures (Credit: WENN)
Vanessa Hudgens in Alexander Wang’s “Gabi” booties (Credit: WENN)
Three months earlier, Hudgens had worn the same Alexander Wang boots in a completely different context, pairing them with a tailored jumpsuit during a visit to 901 Salon in Beverly Hills.
The Same Alexander Wang Boots Ground an Akris Punto Jumpsuit
Vanessa Hudgens debuts her new hairstyle as she leaves a Beverly Hills hair salon on April 2, 2016 (Credit: WENN)
Hudgens paired a zip-front Akris Punto jumpsuit with accessories from All Saints, Cleobella, Jacquie Aiche, and Wildfox.
Vanessa Hudgens wears an Akris Punto jumpsuit to a salon appointment (Credit: WENN)
The Alexander Wang boots added a sharper edge to the streamlined silhouette, proving versatile enough to complement both tailored and casual pieces.
Vanessa Hudgens shows off her long, curly locks in a jumpsuit (Credit: WENN)
The appearance also offered another example of how Hudgens frequently incorporated statement ankle boots into her off-duty wardrobe throughout 2016.
Vanessa Hudgens wears a pair of Alexander Wang boots to the salon (Credit: WENN)
How Other Celebrities Styled Alexander Wang’s Signature Boots
The “Gabi” wasn’t an isolated success for Alexander Wang. During the mid-2010s, the designer built an identifiable footwear aesthetic around industrial-inspired hardware and cutout heels, with related styles such as the Anouck, Kori, and Dakota boots appearing regularly on celebrities, models, and musicians.
👢 Explore More Alexander Wang Boot Moments:
- ✨ Dianna Agron toughens up a lace dress with Alexander Wang “Kori” boots, pairing the designer’s signature cutout-heel ankle boots with a feminine Hunter Dixon dress in West Hollywood.
- ✈️ Kendall Jenner makes Alexander Wang’s “Anouck” Chelsea boots a travel uniform, demonstrating why the rose-gold-accented cutout heel became one of the brand’s most recognizable design signatures.
- 🖤 Another airport-style lesson in Alexander Wang “Anouck” boots, as Kendall Jenner builds an entire travel look around the sleek Chelsea boot silhouette.
- 🎃 Vanessa Hudgens grounds a Halloween-inspired outfit with chunky Alexander Wang platform boots, showing a heavier, more dramatic side of the designer’s footwear aesthetic.
- 🧡 Teresa Palmer stands out in mustard Alexander Wang “Dakota” booties, an early celebrity example of Wang’s talent for creating instantly recognizable ankle boots.
- 🐆 Vanessa Hudgens styles her Alexander Wang “Gabi” boots for a Lakers game, pairing the sculptural ankle boots with black denim and a faux-leopard coat for an effortless courtside look.
- 🖤 Demi Lovato shows how Alexander Wang “Gabi” boots elevate a leggings-and-boots outfit, highlighting the cutaway heel and metal inset details that defined the style.
- 🌟 Katie Holmes pairs Alexander Wang “Gabi” boots with a bohemian-inspired dress, proving the boot’s distinctive silhouette works beyond edgy street style.
While the “Gabi” is no longer part of Alexander Wang’s current collection, the style remains highly sought-after on the secondary luxury market.
Much of that resale interest stems from the boot’s distinctive heel construction, which remains immediately recognizable to collectors and fans of Alexander Wang’s early footwear designs.
As of June 2026, you can find authenticated, pre-owned pairs starting around $150 directly on Farfetch, reflecting the design’s lasting appeal more than a decade after its debut.
Alexander Wang “Gabi” ankle boots featuring the brand’s signature cutout, metal-accented heel, originally priced at $650–$675