One of our favorite actresses, Kate Hudson, has long mastered the art of balancing ease with edge—and one red-carpet moment from the early 2010s still captures that instinct perfectly.
In July 2013, at the Hollywood premiere of HBO Films’ Clear History, she stepped out in a look that blended high fashion bravado with leg-baring confidence.
Kate Hudson wears a checkerboard patchwork dress adorned with floral appliqués and chain detailing, a textural mix that balances craftsmanship with edge
The actress and Fabletics founder chose a Balmain Resort 2014 dress crafted from denim, but anything but casual—its checkerboard patchwork, floral appliqués, and chain detailing delivering a distinctly avant-garde feel.
Kate Hudson flaunts her legs in a denim Balmain Resort 2014 dress paired with gray suede pumps at the premiere of Clear History in Los Angeles on July 31, 2013 (Credit: Apega / DVSIL / iPhotoLive)
Yes, it’s a denim dress cut, designed, and treated as if it were made of silk, satin, or a much more expensive fabric.
Balmain wove denim strips, laced them with metal chains, and quilted them with sparkling beads for a 100% photo-op-ready and red-carpet-worthy look.
Kate Hudson’s Balmain denim mini dress with a dynamic design, which included patchwork, embroidery, embellishments, and an additional crossover detail on the skirt (Credit: DVSIL / iPhotoLive / WENN)
Grounding the statement piece were towering gray suede platform pumps, a deliberate styling choice that let the dress command attention without visual overload.
A close-up of Kate Hudson’s black Jimmy Choo Carmen clutch, finished with a statement diamond ring and softly neutral manicure that complements the dress’s intricate detailing
The look ultimately lands as a win. While Kate Hudson is often drawn to polished, understated silhouettes, this moment shows her leaning into something bolder and more expressive. The embellished Balmain dress pushes beyond her usual red-carpet comfort zone, but the result feels intentional rather than experimental.
Anchoring the look with neutral heels was a smart styling move. With so much texture and detail in the dress itself, minimal accessories keep the focus exactly where it belongs—on the craftsmanship and the confident way Hudson carries it.
Now, speaking of Kate’s shoes, those seriously high stilettos are from Casadei and are available at Farfetch.
They feature 1.5-inch-thick concealed platforms, classic almond toes at the front, and 5.5-inch-tall wrapped heels. Below are a few other versions of the pair, from studded to patent leather.
A closer look at Kate Hudson’s sky-high gray suede platform pumps by Casadei, their sculptural heel and concealed platform adding drama without competing with the embellished Balmain dress
Kate Hudson’s Shoe Style, From Red Carpet to Everyday Cool
Across red carpets, premieres, and off-duty appearances, Kate Hudson’s fashion choices reveal a style philosophy rooted in confidence rather than conformity.
Whether she’s embracing avant-garde detailing, leaning into rock-and-roll edge, or opting for clean, sculptural heels, her footwear consistently anchors the look and sets the tone.
That range—spanning polished elegance, bohemian ease, and playful experimentation—is what makes her shoe wardrobe endlessly fascinating to revisit.
✨ Kate Hudson’s Versatile Shoe & Fashion File:
- 📏 Her exact shoe size and favorite height-boosting designer heels, like Christian Louboutin “So Kate” pumps and Valentino stilettos.
- 🎸 Channels her inner rockstar in a black sequin fringe outfit, elevated by Alexandre Birman “Madelina” crystal-encrusted sandals.
- 👗 Her sophisticated all-black Michael Kors look and vibrant style in Gianvito Rossi Plexi pumps at the Stella McCartney x Adidas party.
- 👢 Embraces boho-chic in an Isabel Marant lace dress paired with black leather Santoni knee-high boots while promoting her debut album Glorious.
- 🎀 Adopting the “twee” aesthetic in a Shushu/Tong dress and tortoiseshell patent leather Black Suede Studio mule sandals.
- 👠 Showcasing her legs in two different pumps: white Christian Louboutin “Batignolles” and pink Giuseppe Zanotti pumps, with a tight black leather skirt.
Kate Hudson joins Wyatt Russell, Ryder Robinson, Goldie Hawn, and Kurt Russell at Goldie’s Love In For Kids on November 3, 2017, in Beverly Hills, wearing a Pamella Roland Spring 2018 ombré gown finished with Christian Louboutin “Louloudancing” sandals (Credit: Hahn Lionel / Abaca / Instarimages)