Julianne Hough’s Height & Heels: How the 5’3″ Star Masterfully Adds Inches

Known for her athletic precision on the dance floor and her evolution into a red-carpet mainstay, Julianne Hough has mastered the art of dressing a petite frame.

Standing 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall and wearing a US size 6.5, the Footloose star consistently uses strategic footwear to create the illusion of height without sacrificing her signature California-cool aesthetic.

Whether attending the Academy Awards in Los Angeles or fashion week in New York City, Hough’s style is anchored by a curated rotation of high-impact heels. Below, we break down her most iconic shoe moments and the designer brands she relies on to elevate her 5’3” stature.

Julianne Hough creates a gown-like illusion with her flowing white Alexandre Vauthier couture jumpsuit at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)

Julianne Hough’s Most Stylish Heels: The Designer Shoes That Elevate Her 5’3″ Frame

From sky-high platforms to sleek red-carpet stilettos, Julianne Hough consistently uses statement footwear to balance proportions and add height to her petite silhouette. These standout moments highlight the designer heels and fashion pairings that define her polished, performance-ready style.

Julianne’s love for designer heels isn’t just about following trends—it’s about staying true to herself. ‘I’m real, and what you see is what you get with me. I want people to know that I’m just Julianne,’ she once said.

Whether she’s rocking sky-high stilettos or sleek pumps, her footwear choices reflect her authentic style and confidence.

Stacey Bendet stuns in an opulent black and gold embroidered ensemble, while Julianne Hough exudes elegance in a sleek white cape blazer suit at the alice + olivia By Stacey Bendet Fall 2025 Presentation in New York City on February 8, 2025 (Credit: Janet Mayer / INSTARimages)

Julianne Hough’s High-Heel Power: Elevating Style with Confidence and Adrenaline

Julianne Hough’s red carpet appearances are nothing short of spectacular, often punctuated by striking designer heels that elevate her outfits.

She doesn’t just wear heels for height—her choices reflect her passion for performance and confidence. As she puts it, ‘Adrenaline is the reason I do what I do,’ and her love for high-energy dancing and acting translates into her bold footwear selections.

Julianne Hough embraces high heels not just to add height but to feel powerful and confident. As she once said, ‘I think every girl needs to love herself, regardless of anything,’ and her footwear choices reflect this philosophy.

Her favorite shoe brands include Bottega Veneta, Casadei, Nicholas Kirkwood, Aldo, Stuart Weitzman, Christian Louboutin, Tamara Mellon, and Jimmy Choo, all of which have been featured on Your Next Shoes.

She has also been seen wearing shoes by Naeem Khan, Alexander White, Free People, Alchimia di Ballin, and Kurt Geiger.

Julianne Hough shines bright at the 2023 American Ballet Theatre’s summer season opening night performance of “Like Water For Chocolate” at The Metropolitan Opera House on June 22, 2023, in New York City (Credit: M10s / TheNews2 / Cover Images)

While seldom seen in sneakers, we know that Julianne Hough is a fan of Under Armour.

Julianne Hough embraces a vintage champagne-colored Zac Posen gown, its flowing cape creating an illusion of added height at the American Ballet Theatre’s 2023 summer season opening night gala (Credit: Darla Khazei / INSTARimages)

Julianne Hough designed her shoe line in collaboration with Sole Society and launched it in 2012. The collection featured affordable yet stylish footwear, including pumps, booties, and sandals, all designed to reflect her versatile and chic style.

Julianne Hough stuns in a bold orange geometric cutout gown paired with nude platform heels and a matching clutch at the Environmental Media Association (EMA) Awards Gala on October 16, 2021, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)

In addition to the previously mentioned footwear brands, Julianne Hough has frequently been spotted wearing Brian Atwood shoes at various red carpet events.

While Julianne consistently dazzles with her footwear choices, one of her most unforgettable red carpet looks came at the 2016 American Music Awards. Blending sophistication with a touch of bold glamour, she embraced a rarely seen hue in her wardrobe, proving once again that her style is as dynamic as her dance moves.

Julianne Hough Stuns in Lavender Zuhair Murad and Silver Brian Atwood Pumps

Julianne Hough decided to tap into her inner Latina pop star as she graced the red carpet at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 20, 2016 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN)

Jennifer Lopez is undoubtedly one of our generation’s most iconic pop stars, and most — if not all — of us have pretended to be her at least once in our young teenage lives. Even today, we can’t help but draw some sass from our inner J.Lo when needed.

Julianne Hough decided to tap into her inner Latina pop star as she attended the 2016 American Music Awards in Los Angeles.

Sporting a lavender ensemble, a color she rarely wears, Julianne Hough exuded elegance and style in a lace top and paneled skirt combination from Zuhair Murad’s Spring 2017 collection

Julianne chose a color that she admittedly rarely wears: lavender. The dancer-turned-actress wore a lace top and paneled skirt combination from Zuhair Murad’s Spring 2017 collection.

Julianne Hough goes down the road less traveled by pairing her lavender dress with silver Brian Atwood “Marella” pumps

The “Dancing With the Stars” judge finished her look with jewelry from Kavant and Sharart, a silver clutch from Lee Savage, and a pair of Brian Atwood “Marella” pumps, which Hailey Baldwin wore with a sheer tangerine Baja East creation at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards. Jessica Alba also rocked the “Marella” pumps at the Who What Wear x Target launch party.

Julianne even paid homage to J.Lo by adopting the pop icon’s trademark hairstyle—long and pin-straight, perfectly parted in the middle. Many of us remember it from J.Lo’s “Feeling So Good” music video, and Julianne’s choice is a nod to the enduring influence of Jennifer Lopez’s style.

Julianne Hough goes for silver nails and a Lee Savage clutch to complement her pumps

While Julianne Hough is known for her glamorous red carpet appearances, she never lets fashion define her. ‘You have to remember where you came from, and I definitely have enough brothers and sisters to kick me in the butt whenever I get out of line!’ she once joked. Even as she steps out in designer heels, she remains grounded—choosing shoes that make her feel powerful, not just taller.

While Julianne Hough’s metallic Brian Atwood heels from the 2016 American Music Awards are no longer available, Brian Atwood’s designs continue to captivate fashion enthusiasts. For instance, during the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, models showcased custom Brian Atwood creations, including colorful fringed over-the-knee boots that added a playful touch to the runway.

Additionally, Emily Blunt turned heads in Brian Atwood’s ‘Cassandra’ pumps, pairing them with a chic black-and-white ensemble for a television appearance. These instances highlight the designer’s versatility and enduring appeal in the fashion world.

Petite Power: Stylish Celebrities Around Julianne Hough’s Height

Julianne Hough proves that standing 5’3″ is no limitation when it comes to commanding attention on the red carpet. With the right silhouettes and carefully chosen heels, petite stars can create striking, leg-lengthening looks that feel both polished and powerful.

If you’re curious about how other celebrities of similar height approach fashion and footwear, these style moments offer plenty of inspiration.