Rachel McAdams, the Canadian actress beloved for roles in Mean Girls, The Notebook, and Spotlight, brings both elegance and relatability to the red carpet. Standing at 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm)—right in line with the average height for Canadian women—she proves that star power isn’t measured in inches.
When it comes to footwear, McAdams wears a US women’s size 7 (UK 5, EU 37–38, JP 24–24.5, AU 5.5–6), a versatile size that has allowed her to step effortlessly into some of fashion’s most iconic designer heels.
Rachel McAdams wears a gold mesh Valentino dress and dark purple lip as she makes her way to the Met Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016, in New York City (Credit: WENN)
“I’ve always liked dressing up. And I love a high heel—the higher the better. I just feel funny in flats,” Rachel McAdams once confessed, summing up her enduring romance with statement footwear.
Still, she approaches fashion with humor and honesty: “High heels are not—you know, the older you get the harder it is to wear them,” she added with a laugh.
Even with those challenges, McAdams continues to shine on the red carpet, curating a heel collection that balances glamour with timeless elegance.
Rachel McAdams’ Most Memorable Designer Heel Moments
Known for her refined red carpet taste, Rachel McAdams frequently turns to classic designer heels that add elegance and depth to her looks. Here are a few standout shoe moments that showcase her timeless style:
👠 Explore Rachel McAdams’ Shoe & Fashion Moments on Your Next Shoes:
- 📅 Rachel McAdams Exudes Elegance in Black Sheer Givenchy Dress and Santoni Heels at the 2024 Tony Awards — highlights her towering Santoni heels that elevated her red carpet presence.
- 💙 Rachel McAdams Completes Dreamy Look With Casadei Platform Pumps — showcases a graceful ensemble accented by classic Casadei pumps at the About Time premiere.
- ✨ Rachel McAdams Stuns in All-Blue Ensemble at ‘Journey 2’ Premiere – See Her Gorgeous Look — features Jimmy Choo Anouk pumps paired with a chic blue Peter Som ensemble.
- 🖤 Rachel McAdams Stuns in Saint Laurent at Munich Premiere of About Time — includes a striking photo of her Saint Laurent Janis Mary Jane platform pumps.
- 👡 Rachel McAdams’ Toe Cleavage and Side-Parted Tousled Hair — features nude Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps revealing toe cleavage, paired with luxe styling.
- 🔴 Rachel McAdams Rocks Bold Red Cristiano Burani Suit at ESPY Awards — notes her Christian Louboutin Pigalle Follies pumps completing the menswear-inspired suit.
Rachel McAdams steps out in classic nude Christian Louboutin pumps, expertly elongating her legs with the signature red-soled silhouette (Credit: WENN)
From Canadian Indie Darling to Hollywood’s “It Girl”
After graduating from York University in 2001, Rachel McAdams quickly transitioned from Canadian stage and television to Hollywood. She made her feature debut in 2002 with The Hot Chick, but it was 2004’s one-two punch—Mean Girls and The Notebook—that cemented her as a breakout star.
She followed with stylish turns in Wedding Crashers, Red Eye, and The Family Stone, earning “it girl” status and a BAFTA Rising Star nomination. After a brief hiatus, she returned with buzzy performances in State of Play, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and Sherlock Holmes.
Rachel McAdams, at 5ft 4 (162.6 cm), appeared shorter than Rachel Weisz, who stands at 5ft 6 (167.6 cm), at the “Disobedience” premiere during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival (Credit: Trina Stewart / Shutterstock)
Her career highlights include Morning Glory, Midnight in Paris, The Vow, About Time, and the acclaimed Spotlight, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She’s since appeared in Marvel’s Doctor Strange films, as well as Disobedience, Game Night, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, and, more recently, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023).
Fun fact: McAdams was 25 when she embodied Regina George, the unforgettable high school queen bee in the 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls.
Rachel McAdams glows in a blush pink embellished gown with a plunging neckline as she arrives at the premiere of The Notebook on June 21, 2004, at the Village Theatre in Los Angeles (Credit: Jody Cortes / WENN)
She isn’t married, but she’s in a long-term relationship with screenwriter Jamie Linden, best known for We Are Marshall (2006) and Dear John (2010).
Screenwriter and producer Jamie Linden previously dated Zooey Deschanel. They were in a relationship from 2012 to 2014.
Zooey Deschanel looks ethereal in a blush pink floral-embroidered gown with sheer sleeves as she attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party hand-in-hand with screenwriter Jamie Linden (Credit: WENN)
Rachel McAdams and her longtime partner, Jamie Linden, have two children: a son, born in 2018, and a daughter, born in 2020.
Rachel McAdams stuns in a bold red cutout dress and strappy heels as she poses alongside Abby Ryder Fortson and Judy Blume at the “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” premiere on April 15, 2023, in Los Angeles (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
From romantic dramas to red carpet glamour, Rachel McAdams has consistently delivered memorable fashion moments that reflect her versatility and refined sense of style. One standout appearance came during the promotional tour for The Vow when she turned heads in an ethereal designer look.
Rachel McAdams Shines in Vivienne Westwood at ‘The Vow’ Premiere
In February 2012, Rachel McAdams looked stunning at the premiere of The Vow in a custom mint-green Vivienne Westwood dress, accessorized with Pomellato jewelry.
Rachel McAdams flaunted her legs in a mint-green Vivienne Westwood dress paired with classic nude Christian Louboutin pumps that perfectly elongated her 5ft 4in frame (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
She proved she knows the power of nude heels to elongate legs and height by finishing the look with classic Christian Louboutin pumps and a matching embroidered clutch.
Rachel McAdams sported a new set of bangs and showed off her Pomellato gold-and-diamond-encrusted necklaces (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
In “The Vow,” Rachel assumes the role of Paige, the central character in this heartfelt romantic drama. Paige, a woman who emerges from a traumatic car accident with profound memory loss, embarks on an emotional journey.
Michael Sucsy, Rachel McAdams, and Channing Tatum attending ‘The Vow’ Los Angeles Premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, February 6, 2012 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
Channing Tatum, portraying her husband Leo, embarks on a touching mission to rekindle their love and connection.
Rachel McAdams wore a double chain-link pave necklace and a link bracelet (Credit: Brian To / WENN / FayesVision)
More Petite Stars Who Shine in Designer Heels
Rachel McAdams isn’t the only 5′4″ star making a statement with her footwear. Other actresses of similar height also lean on designer heels to bring extra polish and presence to the red carpet. Explore a few of their best shoe moments below:
👠 Explore Celebrities Around 5’4″ and Their Shoe Moments:
- 🎤 Idina Menzel (≈ 5′4¼″) — Her red carpet performances are elevated with show-stopping Jimmy Choo, Casadei, and Brian Atwood heels that underscore her Broadway-born glamour.
- 🎥 Naomi Watts (≈ 5′4½″) — She boosts her stature with luxe Gianvito Rossi, Zanotti, and Jimmy Choo heels, blending elegance with red carpet sophistication.
- 💎 Taraji P. Henson (5′4″) — A true shoe aficionado, she owns a custom MTV-Cribs style closet and dazzles in Christian Louboutin, Kirkwood, Zanotti and more—always in standout heels.