British actress Carey Mulligan is known for her timeless style and elegant presence, both on-screen and on the red carpet. She is 5 feet 6 inches (167.6 cm) and stands slightly taller than the average British woman (typically 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 4 inches or 160–163 cm). Her height, paired with her sophisticated fashion choices, enhances her commanding presence in Hollywood.
In an interview with Star Magazine, Mulligan suggested she might be even taller, saying:
I’m 5ft 7ins and weigh 8st 5lbs… After I had my appendix out, during the London run of The Seagull, I went down to eight stone [114 pounds] and realized my brain doesn’t work when I’m that thin.
On the red carpet, heel height can shift perceptions of celebrity stature. Standing 6 feet ½ inches (184.2 cm), Bradley Cooper often towers over Mulligan, but with the right stilettos or platform heels, she can effortlessly narrow the visual gap.
Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan made a sophisticated pair at the Maestro Special Screening at Picturehouse Central in London on December 1, 2023, effortlessly coordinating in sleek, monochromatic ensembles (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)
The Illusion of Height: How Footwear and Posture Shape Red Carpet Moments
Depending on their footwear choices, heel heights, and posture, this height difference may appear more or less noticeable on the red carpet.
Carey has spoken candidly about the performative nature of red carpet appearances, once saying:
Posing on the red carpet feels like you’re selling something that has nothing to do with you. If you do it with someone else, it’s like we’re saying, ‘Oh! We come as a pair! Would you like to buy both of us? We’re available for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs!’
Carey Mulligan is slightly taller than Emerald Fennell, who stands at 5 feet 5 ½ inches (166.4 cm), with a height difference of approximately 1.2 cm.
Emerald Fennell radiated elegance in a flowing emerald-green gown, while Carey Mulligan dazzled in a chic off-the-shoulder black blazer paired with a shimmering metallic skirt at the Saltburn premiere at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on November 14, 2023, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Stepping in Style: Carey Mulligan’s Memorable Designer Heel Moments
Carey Mulligan’s red carpet appearances are a testament to her impeccable fashion sense, often highlighted by her choice of exquisite designer heels.
For instance, she dazzled in a navy sequin-embellished Celine gown and black pumps for the Los Angeles premiere of Maestro. Here are some of her most notable footwear moments:
- Francesco Russo: At the London Film Festival premiere of Mudbound, Carey embodied Grecian elegance in a Gucci Resort 2018 gown, complemented by metallic gold Francesco Russo sandals. The ensemble exuded a goddess-like aura, blending classic and contemporary aesthetics.
- Christian Louboutin: During the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Carey dazzled in a gold Chanel mini dress paired with matching Christian Louboutin Jonatina sandals. She also wore the French shoe designer’s gold half d’Orsay Iriza pumps with a Valentino Resort 2019 dress.
- Manolo Blahnik: Channeling Old Hollywood glamour at the Golden Globes, Carey wore a vintage-inspired gown by Andrew Mukamal and classic Manolo Blahnik BB pumps. She has also styled the same iconic heels with slim-fitting pants and a fitted jacket.
- Rupert Sanderson: At the Toronto International Film Festival, Carey opted for a chic Chanel Pre-Fall 2017 midi dress cinched with a signature belt. She completed her look with classic black Rupert Sanderson ankle-strap heels, adding a touch of modernity to her timeless attire.
In addition, see how she styled a powder blue Marc Jacobs pantsuit with classic d’Orsay pumps, black mesh Christian Dior pumps from Christian Dior with a lemon-yellow dress, and a Nina Ricci bustier top with Saint Laurent Mary Jane heels.
Carey Mulligan’s shoe size in the US sizing system is 7.5. In the UK sizing system, it would be roughly equivalent to a size 5.5 UK. In the European (EU) sizing system, it’s approximately 38-39 EU. In the Japanese sizing system, it’s about a size 24-24.5.
Carey Mulligan’s Notable Roles
Carey Mulligan, best known for her breakout role as Jenny Mellor in An Education (2009), also played Kitty Bennet in Pride & Prejudice (2005) and orphan Ada Clare in the BBC television series Bleak House (2005).
Her performance as Sally Sparrow in “Blink,” the tenth episode of the third season of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, earned her the Constellation Award for Best Female Performance in a Science Fiction Television Episode.
Carey Mulligan as a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London in An Education
Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford: A Love Story from Childhood to Marriage
In April 2012, Carey Mulligan married her childhood pen pal, Marcus Oliver Johnstone Mumford, a British singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and lead singer of the band Mumford & Sons.
Carey Mulligan arrives with her husband Marcus Mumford at Nice airport ahead of the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2013 (Credit: WENN)
Marcus Mumford, at 5 feet 11 ½ inches (181.6 cm), is notably taller than Carey Mulligan, who stands at 5 feet 6 inches (167.6 cm).
Their relationship is rooted in a deep history, dating back to childhood pen-pal letters. Mulligan has spoken about the long-lasting nature of love, saying:
People get married when they’re 18 and spend their whole lives together. I think their greatest fear is that someone will see it as a fling because they were young and it didn’t mean anything.
Her love story with Marcus Mumford proved that young connections can endure. She was born on May 28, 1985, around two years older than Marcus, who was born on January 31, 1987.
Marcus Mumford and Carey Mulligan made a striking pair at the 2022 Met Gala, with Marcus in a sleek black long coat and Carey dazzling in a regal strapless black gown adorned with shimmering gold embroidery and a dramatic metallic train (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Childhood Connection and Love for Letters
They both attended a Christian church camp when they were around 12 and started exchanging love letters. Carey told The Telegraph about her love for letters in an interview.
“I think they’re becoming a lost art form, which is very sad. To have a love letter from someone, to hold it in your hand and know that you can keep it for your whole life… well that’s an amazing thing.”
Carey Mulligan is a mother to three children. Her eldest, Evelyn Grace Mumford, was born in 2015, followed by son Wilfred Mumford in 2017. In 2023, Mulligan welcomed her third child, whose details remain private.
Before meeting her husband, Carey Mulligan had romantic connections with Eddie Redmayne in 2011 and Shia LaBeouf from 2009 to 2010. Rumors suggest a possible romantic involvement with Tom Sturridge in 2010.
Marcus Mumford and his wife, Carey Mulligan, attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle in 2018
While Mulligan is widely recognized for her graceful red carpet style, she has also expressed how surreal the transition from everyday life to Hollywood glamour can be. Reflecting on these contrasts, she once shared:
Sometimes it’s so weird just to do an interview. This morning I was back in my parents’ house, with my brother, and we went for a jog together, then had breakfast as a family. And a couple of hours later I’m wearing high heels and a dress and makeup, and talking about my job.
Despite this shift, she embraces fashion as a key part of her public persona, delivering unforgettable style moments—like her striking Erdem ensemble at the Hollywood Film Awards.
Carey Mulligan Shines in Erdem and Louboutins at Hollywood Film Awards
In November 2015, Carey Mulligan attended the 19th Annual Hollywood Film Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
Her friend Jake Gyllenhaal presented her with the Hollywood Actress Award for her role as Maud in the British historical period drama Suffragette.
Demonstrating her flawless style barely two months after embracing motherhood to her first child, Evelyn, Carey Mulligan, at the age of 30, radiated confidence and poise (Credit: Brian To / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Apega / FayesVision / WENN)
The then-30-year-old actress flaunted her post-baby body barely two months after giving birth to her first child, Evelyn.
Carey Mulligan donned a mesmerizing black glittery dress from Erdem’s Resort 2016 collection (Credit: Brian To / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Apega / FayesVision / WENN)
She shimmered in a glittery black Erdem Resort 2016 dress featuring a cross-halter neck and a tiered skirt that fell to her mid-calf.
Carey Mulligan’s brunette hair, styled in soft curls, and her fresh, understated makeup added a touch of classic beauty to her appearance (Credit: Brian To / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Apega / FayesVision / WENN)
Her stunning ensemble was completed by diamond earrings, a few silver rings, and a pair of studded black pumps. Her brunette locks were worn down in soft curls, while her makeup was fresh and simple.
Carey Mulligan’s fashion choice for the evening was nothing short of spectacular at the 19th Annual Hollywood Film Awards held at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on November 1, 2015 (Credit: Brian To / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Apega / FayesVision / WENN)
Carey wore Christian Louboutin’s “Baila” spike pumps from the Spring 2016 collection to add an edge to her glamorous look.
Carey Mulligan opted for the Christian Louboutin “Baila” spike pumps from the Spring 2016 collection (Credit: Brian To / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Apega / FayesVision / WENN)
Her leather shoes feature pointed toes, silver-tone spiked studs, buckled ankle straps, and about 5-inch slim stiletto heels.
Carey Mulligan shows off her feet in Christian Louboutin’s “Baila” pumps (Credit: Brian To / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Apega / FayesVision / WENN)
Are you a fan of these shoes, and do you like how Carey styled them?
Christian Louboutin “Baila” Spiked Ankle-Strap Pumps, $995