Miley Cyrus Turns Heads in Sheer Dress and Chanel Boots at iHeartRadio: Bold Fashion Statement or Style Misstep?

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Back in September 2013, the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas wasn’t just about the music—it was also a runway for bold, headline-making fashion.

Miley Cyrus and Kesha both delivered looks that sparked conversation, each leaning into fearless, boundary-pushing style choices that continue to be talked about today.

Miley Cyrus’ Daring Chanel Boots at iHeartRadio

Miley’s performance outfit was one of the most memorable of the festival. She layered a sheer fishnet dress over Agent Provocateur pasties and briefs, completing the outfit with Chanel’s chain-embellished loafer boots from the Fall 2013 collection.

Miley Cyrus stuns in a revealing fishnet dress at the iHeart Radio event in Las VegasMiley Cyrus stuns in a revealing fishnet dress at the iHeart Radio event in Las Vegas on September 21, 2013 (Credit: Try CW / WENN / JSB / PixPlanete)

On the runway, Chanel’s chain-embellished boots exuded biker-chic edge, but on Miley they became part of a high-voltage spectacle.

The pairing was a bold gamble—celebrated by some for its fearlessness, but criticized by others who felt the shock factor of her sheer fishnet dress and pasties overshadowed the design.

Miley Cyrus turned heads at the 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas wearing a sheer white fishnet mini dress layered over pasties and briefs, finished with Chanel’s chain-embellished loafer boots and a faux-fur shrugMiley Cyrus turned heads at the 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, wearing a sheer white fishnet mini dress layered over pasties and briefs, finished with Chanel’s chain-embellished loafer boots and a faux-fur shrug

Even from a purely fashion perspective, Miley’s pasties-and-underwear-revealing outfit was a tough sell.

We’ve noted before that, amidst her controversies, she often keeps her shoe game on point, but this time not even Chanel’s chain-embellished boots could rescue the look.

Miley Cyrus completed her daring iHeartRadio look with Chanel’s Fall 2013 chain-embellished loafer boots, featuring chunky block heels, silver hardware, and wraparound chain strapsMiley Cyrus completed her daring iHeartRadio look with Chanel’s Fall 2013 chain-embellished loafer boots, featuring chunky block heels, silver hardware, and wraparound chain straps

Here are models Cara Delevingne and Sigrid Agren showing how the boots are meant to be worn — in a moto, biker-chic style:

Cara Delevingne and Sigrid Agren showcase Chanel's chain-strapped loafer boots at the Fall 2013 presentation in ParisCara Delevingne and Sigrid Agren showcase Chanel’s chain-strapped loafer boots at the Fall 2013 presentation in Paris on March 5, 2013 (Credit: Try CW / WENN / JSB / PixPlanete)

To be fair to Miley, shoes have never been Chanel’s strongest calling card, but pairing these chain-embellished boots with such a daring outfit did little to highlight their runway appeal.

Chanel’s Fall 2013 runway showcased the chain-strapped loafer boots in their intended biker-chic styling, complete with glossy leather and bold silver chain detailsChanel’s Fall 2013 runway showcased the chain-strapped loafer boots in their intended biker-chic styling, complete with glossy leather and bold silver chain details

If Coco Chanel can’t save you, you need a severe fashion makeover.

Miley Cyrus attended the iHeart Radio Festival on September 21, 2013, wearing Agent Provocateur Noir pasties and Mazzy bikini brief, paired with Chanel Fall 2013 chain-embellished leather bootsMiley Cyrus attended the iHeart Radio Festival on September 21, 2013, wearing Agent Provocateur Noir pasties and Mazzy bikini briefs, paired with Chanel Fall 2013 chain-embellished leather boots

Kesha’s Edgy Platforms and Balmain Jacket

On day two, Kesha proved she was just as fearless with her red carpet ensemble. The pop star rocked a low-cut, lacy leotard topped with a Balmain leather biker jacket, grounding the look with towering black platform heels.

The shoes not only highlighted her tattoos but also underscored her reputation for edgy, rocker-chic footwear. With tousled hair, smoky eyes, and a vampy manicure, Kesha’s outfit was a reminder of her unapologetically bold approach to both music and fashion.

Ke$ha poses for photos in the MGM Grand Garden Arena press room for day 2 of the 2013 iHeartRadio Music FestivalKe$ha poses for photos in the MGM Grand Garden Arena press room for day 2 of the 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 21, 2013 (Credit: SIPA / WENN)

The American singer and songwriter appeared in a daring ensemble consisting of a low-cut leotard, a black leather jacket, and a pair of black platform heels.

The pop star left little to the imagination in a negligee-inspired one-piece that showed off her toned legs.

Kesha hit the iHeartRadio red carpet in a plunging lace bodysuit layered with a Balmain leather jacket, finishing the look with towering black suede platform pumpsKesha hit the iHeartRadio red carpet in a plunging lace bodysuit layered with a Balmain leather jacket, finishing the look with towering black suede platform pumps

She gave her all-black outfit an edgy vibe with smoky eye makeup, tousled hair, and a vampy manicure.

Kesha poses for photos in a lacy leotard and a leather jacket from Balmain at the iHeartRadio Music FestivalKesha poses for photos in a lacy leotard and a leather jacket from Balmain at the iHeartRadio Music Festival

She threw a leather biker jacket from Balmain over her ensemble and completed her rockstar look with a towering pair of platform heels.

Kesha highlighted her foot tattoos while stepping out in sky-high black suede platform stilettos that amplified her edgy red carpet lookKesha highlighted her foot tattoos while stepping out in sky-high black suede platform stilettos that amplified her edgy red carpet look

As a throwback, both Miley Cyrus and Kesha showed how bold footwear can turn a performance or red carpet into a lasting fashion statement. If you’d like to explore more of their standout shoe moments, dive into these highlights:

Miley Cyrus Shoe & Fashion Moments on Your Next Shoes

Kesha Shoe & Fashion Moments on Your Next Shoes