In August 2019, Julianne Hough attended a live taping of America’s Got Talent at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, wearing a monochromatic red look centered on a sequined minidress and coordinating sandals.
Julianne Hough’s shoulder-length blonde hair at a live taping of America’s Got Talent at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on August 20, 2019 (Credit: Nicky Nelson / WENN / FayesVision)
While the sparkling IRO “Lilou” dress naturally commanded attention, the matching “Romy” sandals were just as important to the overall look.
Rendered in the exact same vibrant shade of red, the minimalist heels extended the monochromatic effect from head to toe.
Their delicate double toe straps, slim ankle straps, and sleek stiletto heels added structure without distracting from the dress’s all-over sequin embroidery, creating a streamlined silhouette that felt both glamorous and modern.
Julianne Hough embraces full monochrome glamour, pairing a shimmering red IRO mini dress with barely-there strappy sandals in the exact same vibrant shade
Hough completed the look with a fresh pedicure and softly tousled shoulder-length hair, keeping the styling relaxed against the dress’s high-shine finish.
The IRO Fall 2019 design featured a plunging neckline, softly draped cap sleeves, a cinched waist, and dense red sequins that caught the light from every angle. Combined with the short hemline, the dress struck a balance between stage-ready sparkle and effortless red-carpet glamour.
The minimalist sandals feature delicate double toe straps, a diagonal vamp strap, and slim ankle straps that create an elegant, barely-there silhouette
From the side, the sandals reveal their sleek stiletto heels and asymmetrical strap placement, adding structure without competing with the sequined dress
Rather than breaking up the look with metallics or a contrasting shoe color, Hough committed fully to the monochromatic palette.
That decision allowed the dress’s dense sequin work to remain the focal point while creating the kind of uninterrupted silhouette that stylists still rely on for red-carpet appearances today.
The coordinated IRO pairing showcased how a simple sandal can elevate a statement dress when color, proportion, and silhouette work together rather than compete for attention.
Red sequined mini dress featuring a plunging neck, cap sleeves, a fitted waist, sequin embroidery, a short length, and a straight hem
While Hough embraced head-to-toe red, fellow AGT judge Gabrielle Union opted for an equally bold color statement in royal blue.
She arrived in a satin wide-leg jumpsuit from her Gabrielle Union x New York & Company Red Carpet Collection, creating a striking contrast beside Hough’s monochromatic ensemble.
Gabrielle Union wears a blue jumpsuit at a live taping of America’s Got Talent at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on August 20, 2019
Why Julianne Hough’s Red-on-Red Styling Still Works
Julianne Hough’s AGT look shows why monochrome dressing remains such a reliable red-carpet move: when the dress and sandals speak the same color language, the whole outfit feels sharper, cleaner, and more intentional. Her red IRO “Romy” sandals didn’t compete with the sequined “Lilou” mini dress—they extended its energy, turning a simple strappy heel into the detail that made the look feel complete.
👠 More Monochrome Red Shoe Moments:
- ❤️ Brittany Snow leaned into “red-to-toe” styling in a ruby Haney cape dress and matching Stuart Weitzman “Myex” sandals, proving how slim red straps can sharpen a saturated mini-dress moment.
- 🔥 Aubrey Plaza paired a crimson Monot cutout dress with red Stuart Weitzman heels, using matching sandals to give her White Lotus premiere look a sleek, uninterrupted finish.
- 👗 Victoria Beckham’s floor-length red gown and minimalist ankle-strap sandals showed the quieter side of monochrome dressing, where clean lines and matching heels do the elongating work.
- ✨ Lady Gaga went dramatic in custom red Tom Ford and Giuseppe Zanotti pumps, turning head-to-toe red into a high-impact British Fashion Awards statement.
- 🏆 The 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet offered more red dress-and-heel pairings, from tonal sandals to glossy pumps that kept the color story bold from hemline to toe.