Ginnifer Goodwin Experiments With Monochromatic Leather—But Her Shoes Tell the Real Story

Back in November 2017, Ginnifer Goodwin stepped out for Hulu’s Obey Giant screening in a look that felt like a surprising shift from her usual polished, feminine aesthetic.

Known for pairing clean silhouettes and jewel-tone dresses with thoughtfully chosen heels, Ginnifer took a moodier turn that night—slipping into a nude Ulla Johnson leather midi dress with voluminous sleeves and a bold front zipper.

The striking dress set the stage for an edgier moment, but it also underscored the importance of her footwear, making the shoes a key factor in whether the look would ultimately land.

Ginnifer Goodwin attends the Obey Giant screening wearing a nude Ulla Johnson leather midi dress with puffed sleeves and a front zipper

When Monochromatic Leather Proves Tough to Pull Off

It was a thoughtful swing toward a more directional, fashion-forward moment, but the monochromatic leather proved challenging.

The muted shade offered little contrast against her complexion, and the dress’s structured shape didn’t highlight the delicate proportions she typically accentuates so well.

The actress poses on the red carpet, styling the minimalist leather dress with a metallic clutch and platform heels at Hulu’s “Obey Giant” event in Los Angeles on November 7, 2017 (Credit: FayesVision / Dave Starbuck / Future Image / WENN)

Chunky Platforms and Clean Accessories Weren’t Enough to Elevate the Outfit

Goodwin kept her styling minimal, grounding the look with chunky platforms from Alchimia Di Ballin—a 2016-launched Italian luxury label celebrated for its feminine, contemporary silhouettes and sculptural heels that nod to themes of alchemy and transformation. The shoes added height and presence, but their tonal finish blended into the rest of the outfit, making the dress do most of the heavy lifting.

Ginnifer isn’t the only star drawn to the brand’s distinctive shapes. Julianne Hough also embraced Alchimia Di Ballin’s bold platforms, stepping out in a romantic Rebecca Taylor “Moonlight Garden” floral midi dress paired with mint-green Rebecca De Ravenel hoops, Chloé “Carlina” sunglasses, and a Strathberry “Nano” tote.

She completed her look with brown eel-skin “Eryn” platform sandals by Alchimia Di Ballin while appearing on the set of Extra at Universal Studios in October 2017.

Goodwin shows off the dress’s sculpted seams and the standout element of her look: sky-high, glitter-flecked Alchimia Di Ballin platforms with signature sculptural straps

Why a Stronger Shoe and Accessories Could Have Transformed the Look

With a tonal palette this subtle, a sharper shoe—something slimmer, higher-contrast, or metallic—could have added the dimension the outfit needed.

A touch of jewelry would have helped, too, giving the outfit more polish and the modern lift it was almost reaching for. She finished the outfit with a streamlined Jimmy Choo clutch.

Even so, it’s always refreshing to see a star as consistent as Ginnifer experiment with a different sartorial attitude. Moments like this show how her style has evolved over the years, even when the risks don’t land perfectly.

A close-up of Goodwin shows her soft glam makeup and cropped hairstyle, complementing the sleek neckline of the leather dress

From Risk-Taking to Red-Carpet Classics: Ginnifer’s Standout Shoe History

And while this particular leather look may not rank among her strongest, Ginnifer Goodwin has delivered plenty of unforgettable fashion and footwear moments over the years—from bold platform runs to red-carpet showdowns and playful retro styling. Below, we revisit some of her most memorable appearances and the standout shoes that helped define her style.