Miley Cyrus’s Shoe Evolution: 22 Red-Carpet Heels That Marked Her Rise (2006–2013)

Before Miley Cyrus shocked the world with her headline-grabbing twerking moves and edgy fashion choices, she was steadily building her style credentials on the red carpet. Long before her Sinéad O’Connor open-letter era, the former Disney Channel star had already delivered a series of memorable fashion moments worth revisiting.

Standing at 5 feet 4 ½ inches (163.8 cm) and wearing a US women’s size 6 shoe, Cyrus embraced bold footwear and fashion pairings early on, using statement heels to amplify her evolving image.

From her early days as a fresh-faced teenager in 2006 to her transformation into a bold trendsetter by 2013, her red carpet evolution charted her growth from a Hannah Montana sweetheart to a full-fledged artist.

Here, we’re looking back at 22 of Miley’s most noteworthy red carpet looks spanning 2006 through 2013—a journey that proves she’s never been afraid to take risks with fashion.

1. Early Style Steps: Academy of Country Music Awards 2006

Miley Cyrus, just 13, brightened the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards in a lilac beaded ruffle dress paired with silver peep-toe heels — a sweet red carpet debut that hinted at her future style evolution

Miley made her red carpet debut alongside dad Billy Ray Cyrus at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Just 13 at the time, the budding star embraced youthful glamour in a fully beaded ruffled gown, finishing the look with a pair of sparkling silver heels that hinted at her future love affair with statement footwear.

Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley Cyrus at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 23, 2006 (Credit: WENN / Nikki Nelson / Mike Stotts)

2. First Boho Moment: American Music Awards 2006

Miley had her first bohemian look when she appeared at the 2006 American Music Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, wearing a white dress with feathers and silver embellishments. Mommy Tish made a cameo behind her.

At the 2006 American Music Awards, Miley Cyrus embraced boho glam in a feather-trimmed white mini dress with silver embellishments, pairing the playful look with sparkling ankle-strap heels for a red carpet moment beyond her years

3. Metallic Youth: People’s Choice Awards 2007

A more sophisticated look was seen from Miley at the 2007 People’s Choice Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The child actress wore a ruched metallic green tube dress and silver heels.

Miley Cyrus brought a touch of sophistication to the 2007 People’s Choice Awards, dazzling in a ruched metallic green strapless dress paired with silver peep-toe heels — a playful yet polished moment that marked her evolution from Disney darling to rising red carpet star

4. Red-Hot Mini: American Music Awards 2007

Miley had become a young woman and embraced her curves in a red mini dress at the 2007 American Music Awards held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

The singer took a gold Rebecca Minkoff clutch to polish off her look.

At the 2007 American Music Awards, Miley Cyrus turned heads in a fiery red strapless mini dress, paired with glittering peep-toe heels and a gold Rebecca Minkoff clutch — a bold, youthful statement that showed her growing confidence on the red carpet

5. Valentino Debut: Oscars 2008

Miley hit the red carpet of the 80th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in Los Angeles, wearing a form-fitting, full-length Valentino dress in an iconic shade of red.

Miley Cyrus made her Oscars debut at the 80th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, stunning in a crimson red Valentino gown on February 24, 2008

She accessorized with a bronze Mary Norton lizard clutch.

Miley Cyrus lit up the 2008 Oscars red carpet in a striking crimson Valentino gown, accessorized with drop earrings and a touch of youthful elegance

6. Sequins & Sass: MTV Video Music Awards 2008

Miley busted out a huge grin as she held hands with Katy Perry for a photo op at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in
Los Angeles. Miley wore a sequined, ruffled navy blue dress paired with black cutout heels.

Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus arrive at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7, 2008, in Los Angeles, California

7. Ruffled Experiment: Pre-Grammy Gala 2009

There was clearly some style experimentation taking place, as the Disney star chose a unique printed drop-waist dress with a few layers of ruffles at the back.

Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at Clive Davis’ Annual Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009, in Beverly Hills, California

Miley attended the annual pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills, which Clive Davis and The Recording Academy hosted.

Miley Cyrus’ unique printed drop waist dress

8. Couture Edge: Grammy Awards 2009 in Hervé Léger

Another couture moment was born when Miley slipped into a black full-length Hervé Léger dress for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Singer/actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009, in Los Angeles, California

The dress had beautiful bandage details on the torso, accented by an embellished rose and a soft cutout at the back.

Miley Cyrus looked stunning in a long black cut-out Hervé Léger dress

9. Fairytale Glam: Oscars 2009 in Zuhair Murad

One of Miley’s most memorable red carpet looks was born at the 81st Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at The Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009, in Hollywood, California

The singer-actress wore an ethereal Zuhair Murad creation, accessorizing it with a gold Mary Norton clutch, BCBG shoes, and Neil Jane jewelry.

Miley Cyrus was mesmerizing in a Zuhair Murad white sequined dress

10. Metallic Mini: Hannah Montana Premiere 2009

The Hannah Montana craze continued as the film officially made its UK premiere at the Odeon West End in London.

Miley Cyrus attends the UK premiere of Hannah Montana at Odeon Leicester Square on April 23, 2009, in London, England

Miley wore a stunning mini dress from Hervé Léger by Max Azria (Fall 2009 collection), which she paired with charcoal gray Sergio Rossi pumps.

Miley Cyrus wore a stunning metallic mini dress

11. Nude Chic: MTV Movie Awards 2009

Miley Cyrus channeled a Jennifer Lawrence look even before Jennifer Lawrence became an it-girl.

Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre on May 31, 2009, in Universal City, California

Miley went through a nude phase at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, wearing a short halter dress with a draped front, held at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California.

Miley Cyrus’ nude short halter dress with a draped front

12. Rocker Glam: Grammy Awards 2010 in Hervé Léger

Miley let her personality shine through in a dress from Hervé Léger by Max Azria (Spring 2010 collection), which she wore to the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Miley Cyrus arrives at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on January 31, 2010, in Los Angeles, California

She polished off her edgy look with a pair of black strappy heels from Balenciaga, Ofira and Loraine Schwartz jewelry, and a Judith Leiber box clutch. This is definitely on our list of favorite Miley Cyrus fashion moments.

Miley Cyrus was joined on the red carpet by her mother, Leticia Jean “Tish” Cyrus

13. Sparkling Sophistication: Oscars 2010 in Jenny Packham

The Disney star went for a more sophisticated look in a dazzling full-length number by Jenny Packham, which she wore to the 82nd Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on March 7, 2010, in Hollywood, California

Miley donned a pair of diamond-and-platinum earrings from Lorraine Schwartz to finish her look.

Miley Cyrus’ dazzling full-length dress by Jenny Packham

14. Leather Power: The Last Song Premiere 2010

The young Cyrus was a baby no more. She stepped out with onscreen and real-life sweetheart Liam Hemsworth for the premiere of their film The Last Song, which was held at the ArcLight Hollywood Cinema in Hollywood.

Miley looked absolutely stunning in an all-leather Ferragamo dress.

Actor Liam Hemsworth and actress/singer Miley Cyrus arrive at the “The Last Song” Los Angeles premiere held at ArcLight Hollywood on March 25, 2010, in Hollywood, California

15. Bold Bandage: MuchMusic Video Awards 2010

It seemed Miley wasn’t quite done with leather dresses just yet when she slipped into another one at the 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada. The actress showed off her shorter new ‘do along with her hot bandage dress.

Singer Miley Cyrus visits the press room at the 21st Annual MuchMusic Video Awards on June 20, 2010, in Toronto, Canada

16. Dreamy Drama: Marchesa at the American Music Awards 2010

Miley channeled a more feminine Lauren Conrad-esque look at the 2010 American Music Awards (AMAs) held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2010 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 21, 2010, in Los Angeles, California

The young star wore a dreamlike Marchesa mini dress with a lengthy train, complementing her look with the ever-trusty Louboutins.

Miley Cyrus’ dreamlike Marchesa mini dress

17. Cavalli Couture: Vanity Fair Oscar Party 2012

The former Hannah Montana actress turned to Roberto Cavalli for the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which was held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood.

Miley Cyrus rocked a gown from Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli

Miley brought along her most beautiful accessory to date – her hunky then-boyfriend Liam Hemsworth (sorry, we just had to).

Actor Liam Hemsworth and actress/singer Miley Cyrus arrive at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Sunset Tower on February 26, 2012, in West Hollywood, California

18. Sharp & Sexy: Billboard Music Awards 2012

A sign of things to come – Miley debuted a nose ring and side boobs at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, which was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada

The singer wore a double-breasted dress by Jean Paul Gaultier, which she dressed up with Jacquie Aiche jewelry and a gorgeous pair of black-and-white peep-toe Louboutins.

Miley Cyrus made a stunning appearance with a nose ring

19. Cutout Cool: VH1 Divas 2012

Miley transitioned to her shorter blonde do at the VH1 Divas 2012 held at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The controversial hair was paired with a black turtleneck dress by Norma Kamali, featuring diamond-cutouts running down the sides.

Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the “VH1 Divas” 2012 at The Shrine Auditorium on December 16, 2012, in Los Angeles, California

Miley turned to her favorite jewelry designer, Lorraine Schwartz, and opted for classic black pointed-toe pumps by Jean-Michel Cazabat.

Miley Cyrus’ Omo by Norma Kamali black turtleneck dress

20. White-Hot Pucci: Elton John Oscar Party 2013

Miley demonstrated how an edgy short do can be paired with couture when she slipped into a white, full-length Emilio Pucci gown for the 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar Viewing Party.

Singer Miley Cyrus attends the 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at West Hollywood Park on February 24, 2013, in West Hollywood, California

The star looked stunning in the backless, embellished number, which was a refreshing breather from her leather obsession.

Miley Cyrus sparkled in a white full-length Emilio Pucci dress

21. Bondage Edge: Versace at iHeartRadio 2013

Hannah Montana had disappeared entirely in a dominatrix-like mini bondage dress by Versace, which Miley wore to the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party.

Miley chose suede pointed-toe pumps by Jean-Michel Cazabat to complete her not-so-poolside-party look.

Miley Cyrus attends iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party Presented By VISIT FLORIDA at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on June 29, 2013, in Miami Beach, Florida

22. Patchwork Leather: Paranoia Premiere 2013

Miley returned to leather in a black, red, and snakeskin patchwork leather dress by Proenza Schouler (Spring 2013 collection) for then-fiancé Liam Hemsworth’s Paranoia film premiere.

Miley Cyrus brightened the red carpet in a patchwork leather Proenza Schouler dress, pairing the bold black, red, and silver look with crisp white Saint Laurent pumps for a sleek finish

Miley wore her dress with white platform heels from Saint Laurent and a Chanel Boy bag.

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth attend the premiere of Relativity Media’s “Paranoia” at DGA Theater on August 8, 2013, in Los Angeles, California

As Miley’s red carpet journey from 2006 to 2013 demonstrates, her style has consistently been characterized by fearless experimentation and boundary-pushing choices. And if you think her fashion risks stopped there, think again—her most recent looks prove she’s still redefining what it means to be a style chameleon.

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