Elle Fanning’s Best Heels: Evolution From Ethereal Kitten Heels to Power Platforms

Elle Fanning’s evolution from child star to powerhouse leading lady is perfectly mirrored in her adventurous approach to fashion.

Known for her ability to pivot between ethereal, princess gowns and edgy, avant-garde silhouettes, she has mastered the art of using footwear to shift her aesthetic.

From the architectural height of Gucci platforms to the whimsical sparkle of Mach & Mach mules, we’re breaking down the standout looks that define Elle’s versatile red-carpet identity.

Armor Meets Altitude: Balmain Chain-Link Top & Gucci “Angel” Platform Pumps

A defining moment in her style journey occurred in November 2021 at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

Attending the 6th Annual InStyle Awards, Fanning proved that footwear and architecture are just as important as the garment itself, opting for a daring aesthetic that balanced high-concept metalwork with classic luxury heels.

Elle Fanning commands attention in a Balmain chain-link top at the 2021 InStyle Awards held at the Getty Center on November 15, 2021 (Credit: Avalon / WENN)

She wore nothing underneath a sculptural chain-link crop top that reminded us of Bella Hadid’s golden lung necklace at the Cannes Film Festival.

Showcasing her flat abs and sexy back, the armor-like halter top is crafted from gold-plated metal, adorned with large oval-shaped crystals, and secured with a thinner gold chain around her back.

It was designed by Balmain’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing, for the French luxury fashion house’s Spring 2022 collection.

Elle Fanning’s armor-like halter crop top is made from gold-plated metal and embellished with oval-shaped crystals (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Elle’s longtime stylist Samantha McMillen took to Instagram to thank Balmain and Olivier for the actress’s “amazing albeit painful bustier that is a work of art.”

“Believe me… sometimes you suffer for fashion. But she said it was worth it!! Thank you, Elle, for always pushing the envelope for these moments,” she captioned her post.

At the event, the American actress presented Samantha McMillen with the Fashion Stylist of the Year Award. Sam looked sophisticated as she graced the red carpet in a sequined Valentino creation.

Elle paired the racy bejeweled top with a low-rise black maxi skirt from Balmain and finished off her outfit with Gucci “Angel” leather platform pumps.

Allowing the statement top to take center stage, Elle ditched elaborate jewelry and instead wore gold rings on each finger except her thumbs.

Hairstylist Jenda Alcorn styled Elle’s blonde tresses sleek, straight, and parted in the middle, while makeup artist Erin Ayanian Monroe coordinated her red nail polish with her vibrant red lipstick and rosy blush.

Elle Fanning styles her long blonde hair sleek and straight with a middle parting and wears red lipstick with matching rosy blush (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Soft Daytime Glamour: Yellow Paneled Midi & Mach & Mach Double-Bow Glitter Mules

That same day, Elle opted for a more conservative look as she headed to the Jimmy Kimmel Live studio to promote the second season of her Hulu series, The Great.

The Maleficent star wore a yellow dress with strips of fabric paneling throughout. She accessorized her feminine look with a matching clutch, a pink gemstone necklace, and a statement ring.

Elle Fanning heads to the Jimmy Kimmel Live studio in a softly structured pale-yellow midi dress, grounding the refined daytime look with glittering blue Mach & Mach bow-embellished kitten-heel mules on November 15, 2021, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Covering her face with a pink face mask, Elle rounded out her look with light blue glitter mules from Tbilisi-based fashion brand Mach & Mach’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

Elle Fanning pairs her yellow midi dress with glittery light blue mules from Mach & Mach (Credit: Mega / WENN)

These slip-on mules are made from glitter-coated woven fabric adorned with crystal-embellished bows. They also have pointed toes and about 2-inch kitten heels.

A charming Mach & Mach mule made of glittery fabric with crystal-embellished double bows and short kitten heels

Regal Red-Carpet Drama: Custom Atelier Versace & Swarovski-Embellished Couture Heels

On November 14, 2021, Elle looked very regal in a custom Atelier Versace look as she attended the season-two premiere of The Great at The Sunset Room in Hollywood.

Starring as Catherine the Great, Empress of All Russia, Elle posed on the black carpet alongside her co-star Nicholas Hoult, who plays Emperor Peter III in the critically-acclaimed Hulu comedy-drama.

Elle Fanning channels regal modern glamour in a pink, crystal-embroidered halter gown with a flowing black skirt as she joins Nicholas Hoult in a sleek black suit at The Great season two premiere at the Sunset Room Hollywood on November 14, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Drawing attention to her tiny waist, Elle’s pink-and-black gown features a halter-neck bodice hand-embroidered with silk metallic threads and adorned with pink Swarovski crystals.

Samantha McMillen noted that the embroidery “features an impression of Catherine the Great and two 18th-century women.” It’s paired with a flowy, long black silk taffeta skirt for dramatic contrast.

Elle Fanning looks regal in a custom Versace gown that features a hand-embroidered pink bodice and a black taffeta skirt (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Keeping the look glamorous, Elle accessorized with Fred Leighton jewelry. She wore a pair of diamond cluster earrings, a pear-shaped rose-cut diamond ring, and a rose-cut diamond cluster ring.

Jenda Alcorn pulled her blonde tresses back into a long ponytail, styled with two large bows, while Erin Monroe applied winged eyeliner, glittery eyeshadow, and red lipstick to the actress’s features.

Elle Fanning pulls her tresses in a ponytail with black bow accents and wears winged eyeliner with red lipstick (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Effortless Vintage Cool: Vivienne Westwood Separates & Stuart Weitzman “Nudistsong” Sandals

Earlier that month, Elle dressed down in a vintage two-piece ensemble for the Vulture Festival screening of The Great.

She was joined on the red carpet by Nicholas Hoult, who looked handsome in a brown suit with a white tee underneath and black sneakers.

Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult pose at the Vulture Festival 2021, with Fanning pairing fluid black trousers and a blush satin corset top with sleek open-toe heels for a modern, pared-back red-carpet look on November 13, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Dakota Fanning’s younger sister wore a structured strapless Vivienne Westwood top in soft pink, styled with $1,690 The Row Igor low-waisted black pants made from stretch wool, with loose, fluid legs and front double pleats.

Elle Fanning opts for a dressed-down look in Vivienne Westwood pink strapless top, The Row black pants, and Stuart Weitzman heels (Credit: Mega / WENN)

She finished off her outfit with the classic Stuart Weitzman Nudistsong black heels.

Classic Stuart Weitzman leather heels with open toes, ankle straps, and stiletto heels

To elevate the look, Elle accessorized with a $7,250 Beladora vintage large chain-link necklace in 18k gold and rings, including a Cathy Waterman 22k recycled gold custom hand-painted Eye of Love ring.

She wore her blown-out blonde locks down and highlighted her features with eyeliner, rosy blush, and a hint of lipstick.

Elle Fanning completes her look with softly blown-out blonde hair, subtle winged eyeliner, and a natural rosy lip that complements her minimalist styling (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Elle Fanning’s Shoe Evolution: From Ethereal Kitten Heels to Power Platforms

Elle Fanning’s style narrative is ultimately defined by her footwear choices—from delicate kitten heels and classic stilettos to bold platform pumps that anchor even the most avant-garde looks.

Whether she’s embracing couture drama or understated daytime elegance, her shoes consistently provide the foundation that brings each outfit into focus.

For a deeper look at how Elle’s heel selections continue to shape her fashion legacy, explore more of her most memorable shoe moments below.