Elle Fanning’s Most Polarizing Shoes: From 6-Inch Gucci Platforms to Quirky Wedges

From her breakout as a whimsical child star to her reign as a red-carpet powerhouse, Elle Fanning has mastered the art of the “polarizing” shoe.

While her ethereal gowns grab headlines, her footwear—ranging from 6-inch Gucci platforms to quirky Stella McCartney wedges—tells the real story of her style evolution.

In this retrospective, we analyze some of Fanning’s most iconic shoe risks at Cannes and the Met Gala, and how her early “eccentric” airport style predicted today’s platform shoe revival.

Polished but Polarizing: Dior Couture Pumps at the 2019 Cannes Jury Photocall

Elle Fanning’s evolution from a child star to a high-fashion powerhouse was cemented during the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, where she made history as the youngest jury member in the festival’s run.

While her career milestones are often discussed, her experimental, often polarizing footwear choices remain a focal point for fashion enthusiasts.

Elle Fanning stepping out for the jury photocall during the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 14, 2019 (Credit: WENN / Dave Bedrosian / Future Image / Andres Otero / Adriana M. Barraza)

During the May 2019 jury photocall, Fanning opted for a sophisticated, monochromatic Dior Spring 2019 Haute Couture ensemble.

The look paired an intricate embroidered organza shirt with sleek full-length pants, but the choice of footwear—a pair of conservative, rounded-toe pumps—sparked debate among stylists, who felt the shoes leaned more toward “frumpy” than “fashion-forward.”

Elle Fanning grounded her monochromatic Dior Spring 2019 Haute Couture look with understated black pumps, letting the sheer embroidered blouse and sculptural pants take center stage while the classic footwear kept the Cannes jury photocall ensemble polished and restrained

Six-Inch Statement: Gucci Platform Heels at *The Dead Don’t Die* Cannes Premiere

The same day, the American actress took to the red carpet for the opening ceremony and premiere of ‘The Dead Don’t Die’ in a peach Gucci gown with structured shoulders.

Elle Fanning accessorized with jewels from Chopard at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony in Cannes, France, on May 14, 2019

She completed her look with Gucci shoes with a 2.5-inch platform and a soaring 6-inch heel.

Elle Fanning elevated her soft, Grecian-inspired Gucci gown with towering platform heels, using the added height and stability to balance the dramatic drape and confidently navigate the Cannes red carpet alongside fellow jury members Kelly Reichardt and Pawel Pawlikowski

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Retro Camp Goes Vertical: Miu Miu Platforms at the 2019 Met Gala

Earlier that month, Elle also attended the 2019 Met Gala in an unmistakably I Dream of Jeannie-inspired Miu Miu outfit with Tiffany & Co. rings and earrings.

Elle Fanning fully embraced retro camp at the 2019 Met Gala by pairing her I Dream of Jeannie–inspired Miu Miu ensemble with towering platform heels, using the exaggerated height to amplify the playful proportions and anchor the wide-leg silhouette on the pink carpet on May 6, 2019

Elle Fanning is one of the rare celebrities who is on good terms with the paparazzi, but then again, the girl is in a class all on her own. If you saw her play Aurora in “Maleficent”, you would be quick to point out that the bubbly and eternally positive role is not that far off from her normal self. Hence, making her a paparazzi favorite.

While her 2019 festival run showcased a more polished side of her wardrobe, Fanning’s foundation as a fashion risk-taker was built on her off-duty looks from years prior. Long before she was donning Haute Couture on the French Riviera, she was already making headlines for her unapologetic, eccentric street style.

Airport Eccentricity: Stella McCartney Wedge Oxfords & Neon Socks at LAX

In November 2015, Elle was spotted chatting with the paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport before jetting out.

Elle Fanning departs on a flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 4, 2015

The cameraman asked Elle what it was like when she got into sisterly fights with her older sibling, Dakota, and if she had one favorite fashion item. Elle responded as much as she could before getting on an escalator for her departure.

Elle Fanning embraces off-duty eclecticism at LAX, pairing a black sweater and fringed-hem jeans with Stella McCartney platform wedge oxfords for a comfortable yet fashion-forward travel look

Elle wore a black sweater with fringed hem jeans, which she paired with Stella McCartney oxford wedges. The eclectic dresser put on a pair of neon pink-and-yellow socks that peeked out of her shoes.

A close-up highlights Elle Fanning’s Stella McCartney wedge oxfords, featuring a glossy black upper, wooden wedge, and chunky white sawtooth sole for added height and stability

Elle Fanning’s playful airport look places her among a growing list of celebrities who have embraced Stella McCartney platform wedge shoes as a fashion-forward alternative to traditional heels.

The designer’s signature chunky styles have also been spotted on stars like Vanessa Hudgens and Kiernan Shipka, both of whom wore the iconic Stella McCartney “Elyse” platform oxfords at fashion presentations, styling the bold wedges with tailored silhouettes and feminine separates.

Keeping practicality in mind, Elle Fanning navigates the airport in elevated wedge oxfords that offer lift and comfort while pulling her suitcase

Normally, this kind of bold styling might feel over-the-top, but on Elle Fanning, whose unicorn-and-rainbow personality thrives on playful self-expression, it reads as effortlessly authentic.

The Stella McCartney faux-leather wedge oxford combines a sleek pointed toe with a dramatic platform sole, blending menswear-inspired styling with modern height

Stella McCartney Faux-Leather Wedge Oxford in Black

From Couture to Carry-On: How Elle Fanning’s Shoes Define Her Style Evolution

From jury-duty elegance at Cannes to playful, polarizing off-duty looks, Elle Fanning’s fashion journey is ultimately told through her footwear—each pair revealing how she balances proportion, personality, and practicality across red carpets and real life.

For a deeper dive into her most memorable shoe moments, designer favorites, and how her style intersects with sister Dakota Fanning’s fashion legacy, explore more curated features from Your Next Shoes below.