Katheryn Winnick’s Petite Style Secret: How the Vikings Star Uses Strategic Heels to Elongate Her Frame

Katheryn Winnick is celebrated for a style that masterfully balances her “tough” screen persona with high-fashion femininity. Standing at 5ft 3 ¼ (160.7 cm), the Vikings star is a masterclass in petite red-carpet styling, frequently utilizing specific footwear silhouettes to elongate her frame.

While fans grew accustomed to seeing her in period-accurate rugged boots as the shield-maiden Lagertha, Winnick’s real-life footwear collection is a sophisticated pivot toward the glamorous.

Below, we analyze how she utilizes crystal-embellished stilettos, nude strappy sandals, and monochrome platforms to command attention. Whether she is attending the Cannes Film Festival or a charity gala, Winnick—who typically wears a size 7.5 (US)—proves that strategic shoe choices can bridge the gap between functional “action star” durability and elite sartorial elegance.

Katheryn Winnick complemented her emerald green silk wrap dress with crystal-embellished stiletto sandals for the CODE (RED) campaign launch in New York City on October 13, 2021 (Credit: Derrick Salters / WENN)

While she is widely admired for her statuesque presence, Katheryn Winnick’s actual stature is a point of frequent debate among fans and fashion analysts.

In a 2020 interview with Monsters and Critics, the Vikings star addressed the physical challenges of filming her own stunts, noting: “There was a huge size difference too. Kieran [O’Reilly] was over six foot tall, and my real height is 5’5″ and a half, so I’m not very tall. But I had to use agility and strategy than brutal force and make the moves authentic and real.”

Despite this self-reported measurement, Winnick is widely believed to be even shorter, with many observers estimating her closer to 5ft 3 ¼ (160.7 cm) based on her red-carpet appearances alongside other celebrities.

Katheryn Winnick stuns in a shimmering green Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2021 gown, finishing the look with delicate nude strappy sandals at the “Flag Day” photocall during the 74th Cannes Film Festival on July 11, 2021, in Cannes, France (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

Posing with Michael Persall, Katheryn Winnick exuded timeless glamour at the 72nd Annual Directors Guild of America Awards on January 25, 2020, wearing a sophisticated off-the-shoulder black velvet gown featuring long sleeves and decorative button detailing (Credit: Avalon / WENN)

Actress Katheryn Winnick in a black dress with Suzanne Kalan jewelry at the 22nd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 11, 2016, in Santa Monica, California (Credit: Michael Boardman / WENN)

Katheryn Winnick’s glossy black ankle-strap stilettos spotlight her sleek pedicure, with the minimalist straps and towering heels elongating her petite frame on the blue carpet (Credit: Michael Boardman / WENN)

Petite Power: How Smart Heels Transform Red-Carpet Proportions

Katheryn Winnick’s approach to footwear places her in a long tradition of petite stars who use strategic heel choices to redefine their presence on the red carpet.

From elongating ankle-strap stilettos to leg-lengthening platforms, these celebrities prove that height is less about inches and more about intention—where silhouette, heel height, and proportion do the heavy lifting. Explore how other petite women in Hollywood use shoes to elevate both their stature and their style.