How Hayden Panettiere Uses Sky-High Heels to Master Red Carpet Proportions

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

Hayden Panettiere is a petite American actress and singer best known for her roles as Claire Bennet in the TV series Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville. She is 5 feet and ¼ inches (153 cm) tall and wears a shoe size 5 (US).

Her height is significantly below the average American woman’s height of 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm). Jasmin Savoy Brown, at 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), has a height advantage of roughly 17.2 cm (or about 6.77 inches) over Hayden Panettiere.

Hayden Panettiere, standing at 5ft ¼ in (153 cm), and Jasmin Savoy Brown, towering at 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), attended the world premiere of Paramount's "Scream VI"Hayden Panettiere, standing at 5ft ¼ in (153 cm), and Jasmin Savoy Brown, towering at 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), attended the world premiere of Paramount’s “Scream VI” at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on March 6, 2023, in New York City (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Hayden Panettiere’s Go-To Heels and Towering Romance With Wladimir Klitschko

Hayden Panettiere has never let her petite frame define her presence. She was often photographed beside former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko—whose towering 6ft 5 in (196 cm) height created a striking 17-inch height difference, making her footwear choices especially noticeable on red carpets and public appearances.

Whether in platform boots or sky-high heels, Panettiere consistently used fashion to visually balance the dramatic height gap, proving that confidence—and clever styling—matters more than inches.

Hayden Panettiere dramatically narrows the height difference with Wladimir Klitschko by wearing bold platform boots—made even more effective as she stands one step above himHayden Panettiere dramatically narrows the height difference with Wladimir Klitschko by wearing bold platform boots—made even more effective as she stands one step above him (Credit: Patrick Hoffmann / WENN)

Hayden Panettiere’s affinity for high heels from renowned designers not only elevates her stature but also underscores her fashion-forward sensibilities. Here are some of her most memorable high-heel moments:

Hayden Panettiere’s Best High-Heel Moments: Elevating Style with Every Step

On Your Next Shoes, Hayden Panettiere boosts her height with heels from brands such as Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo, Saint Laurent, Christian Louboutin, Chloé, and Giuseppe Zanotti.

👠 Explore Hayden Panettiere’s Style & Shoe Moments:

These instances highlight Hayden Panettiere’s impeccable taste in high heels, reflecting her ability to enhance her stature and make a lasting impression through her footwear choices.

Another memorable shoe moment was her appearance at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards:

Hayden Panettiere’s Purple Platform Pumps Steal the Show at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards

Hayden Panettiere's heavily beaded purple Zuhair Murad dress, while somewhat matching the carpet, showcased her impeccable styleHayden Panettiere’s heavily beaded purple Zuhair Murad dress, while somewhat matching the carpet, showcased her impeccable style (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

Back in 2012, Hayden Panettiere made a glamorous statement at the Teen Choice Awards, stepping onto the purple carpet in a heavily beaded Zuhair Murad gown paired with towering purple platform pumps.

While the jewel-toned dress echoed the event’s signature hue, it was her sky-high heels that delivered the drama—an early example of how Panettiere used bold footwear to elevate both her stature and her red-carpet presence.

Hayden Panettiere made quite an impression at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards with her glamorous appearanceHayden Panettiere made quite an impression at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards with her glamorous appearance at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, on July 22, 2012 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

Soft, beachy waves balanced the high-shine look, while natural, glowing makeup kept the overall effect polished rather than overpowering.

Her purple platform pumps completed the ensemble, with leopard-print soles adding a subtle touch of contrast and edge to the otherwise monochromatic moment.

Hayden Panettiere added height by wearing B Brian Atwood 'Fontanne' snake-embossed and leopard-printed platform pumpsHayden Panettiere added height by wearing B Brian Atwood ‘Fontanne’ snake-embossed and leopard-printed platform pumps (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

Hayden Panettiere earned a place on our favorite shoes at the 2012 Teen Choice Awards list with those B Brian Atwood ‘Fontanne’ snake-embossed and leopard-printed platform pumps.

B Brian Atwood Fontanne platform pumps in purple multi, featuring a mixed-texture snakeskin upper, leopard-print platform, and sky-high stiletto heel

B Brian Atwood Fontanne platform pumps in purple multi, featuring a mixed-texture snakeskin upper, leopard-print platform, and sky-high stiletto heel

B Brian Atwood Fontanne platform pumps in purple multi, featuring a mixed-texture snakeskin upper, leopard-print platform, and sky-high stiletto heelB Brian Atwood Fontanne platform pumps in purple multi, featuring a mixed-texture snakeskin upper, leopard-print platform, and sky-high stiletto heel

Hayden Panettiere has long embraced bold fashion choices, even early in her career when her style was closely scrutinized.

At the time, she acknowledged the attention with a grounded perspective, emphasizing that she was still growing and learning like any young woman in the public eye.

Hayden Panettiere Stuns in Sequins at the 2012 American Music Awards

On November 18, 2012, she wore another stunning outfit to the 2012 American Music Awards.

Hayden Panettiere wore a sequined Armani dress at the 40th Anniversary American Music AwardsHayden Panettiere wore a sequined Armani dress at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, November 18, 2012 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

She donned a sequin Armani dress paired with a sculptural Giorgio Armani clutch, jewels by Jacqueline Nerguizian, and peep-toe pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti:

Hayden Panettiere toted a sculptural Giorgio Armani clutchHayden Panettiere toted a sculptural Giorgio Armani clutch (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

The Nashville star presented an award during the live broadcast!

Hayden Panettiere adorned herself with Jacqueline Nerguizian jewelryHayden Panettiere adorned herself with Jacqueline Nerguizian jewelry (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

She accessorized with jewelry by Jacqueline Nerguizian, a third-generation jeweler and certified gemologist.

Hayden Panettiere looked taller thanks to her stunning peep-toe pumps by Giuseppe ZanottiHayden Panettiere looked taller thanks to her stunning peep-toe pumps by Giuseppe Zanotti (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Apega / Adriana M. Barraza)

As a petite celebrity, Hayden embraces fashion that enhances her frame without conforming to unrealistic standards. She confidently states, ‘I don’t have a model’s body… I’m okay with what I have. I can rock this body, you know?’

Hayden Panettiere Silences Critics in Ultra-Seductive Black Lace Dress

Hayden Panettiere gets a lot of flak on celebrity gossip sites for dressing “too old,” but she’s always acted mature for her age.

I think her mature sense of style suits her and can even look downright sexy, as in this ultra-seductive Emilio Pucci long-sleeved black lace dress she wore at a charity event in Germany.

Hayden Panettiere elegantly dressed for the United People Charity Night in Munich, Germany, on September 24, 2010, showcasing a sophisticated black lace dressHayden Panettiere elegantly dressed for the United People Charity Night in Munich, Germany, on September 24, 2010, showcasing a sophisticated black lace dress (Credit: WENN)

At a 2010 charity event in Munich, Hayden Panettiere leaned into elegant eveningwear in a long-sleeved black lace dress from Emilio Pucci’s Fall 2010 RTW collection.

The look balanced coverage and transparency through intricate lace detailing, which she paired with onyx drop earrings by Kara Ackerman Designs and classic Brian Atwood Contessa pumps—an early example of her polished, confident red-carpet style.

Hayden Panettiere captivates in a chic Emilio Pucci long-sleeved black lace dress at the United People Charity Night, September 24, 2010, in Munich, GermanyHayden Panettiere captivates in a chic Emilio Pucci long-sleeved black lace dress at the United People Charity Night, September 24, 2010, in Munich, Germany (Credit: WENN)

Hayden Panettiere has never been afraid to experiment with bold fashion choices, whether it’s sky-high heels, edgy boots, or statement dresses. Her fearless approach to style continued when she stepped onto the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards, turning heads with a striking Rococo-print ensemble.

Tibi’s Rococo Print Takes Center Stage on Hayden Panettiere at MTV EMAs

The former Heroes star flashed her long legs while attending the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast in a gorgeous black-and-white Rococo-printed number that looked oh-so-familiar.

Hayden Panettiere highlighted her hot legs in a graphic print monochrome dress by TibiHayden Panettiere highlighted her hot legs in a graphic print monochrome dress by Tibi (Credit: Ian Wilson / WENN / Lia Toby)

She matched her dress with classic black peeps, a clutch, and dazzling jewelry. The look was uber-sophisticated and glam, and we simply could not help but stare:

For the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards in Northern Ireland, Hayden Panettiere rocked a playful party look with a Tibi Rococo print silk twill cap sleeve dress, Stella & Dot Petra fringe earrings, and Christian Louboutin knotted pumpsFor the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards in Northern Ireland on November 6, 2011, Hayden Panettiere rocked a playful party look with a Tibi Rococo print silk twill cap sleeve dress, Stella & Dot Petra fringe earrings, and Christian Louboutin knotted pumps (Credit: Ian Wilson / WENN / Lia Toby)

Petite Height, Big Style: How Other Celebrities Elevate Their Look

Hayden Panettiere’s approach to fashion shows that height is never a limitation—especially when strategic footwear is involved.

She’s far from alone, too. Many celebrities with similarly petite frames rely on heels, platforms, and proportion-smart styling to command attention on red carpets and beyond.

👠 Stylish Celebrities Around Hayden’s Height: