Katie Leclerc Breaks Black-Tie Rules in Metallic Nike Wedge Sneakers at AFI Gala

In June 2016, Switched at Birth star Katie Leclerc broke from black-tie tradition, pairing her peach gown with metallic Nike wedges at the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award Gala in Hollywood.

The then-29-year-old stood out on the red carpet, where the evening honored legendary composer John Williams.

Katie Leclerc adds a playful twist to the red carpet in a peach gown paired with metallic bronze Nike Dunk Sky Hi wedge sneakers (Credit: Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barazza / WENN)

Katie Leclerc’s Peach Gown Meets Metallic Nike Dunk Sky Hi Sneakers

She wore a peach-colored gown that dipped at the chest line to show off a bit of cleavage. Her sleeveless dress flattered her red hair and pale skin. The simple silhouette had a floor-length hem that pooled around her feet.

The American actress accessorized with gold hoop earrings, a selection of rings and bracelets, and wore smoky eye makeup, shiny lip gloss, and curls.

Katie capped off her look with a pair of Nike “Dunk Sky Hi” sneakers in bronze metallic.

Katie swaps traditional heels for eye-catching metallic bronze Nike “Dunk Sky Hi” wedge sneakers (Credit: Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barazza / WENN)

We’re not entirely sure the gown-and-sneakers combination works for Katie, but at least her outfit looks comfortable.

Katie Leclerc and Her Petite Co-Stars: Height and Shoe Size Insights

At just 5ft 4 (162.6 cm) with a US shoe size 8, Katie Leclerc stood out in her peach gown thanks to the added lift of her metallic bronze Nike “Dunk Sky Hi” wedge sneakers, which subtly boosted her petite frame while keeping the look playful and comfortable.

Marlee Matlin, Constance Marie, Katie Leclerc, and Vanessa Marano show off their petite frames in elegant gowns and heels, keeping the focus on chic silhouettes and coordinated red carpet style (Credit: INFphoto)

Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin, standing 5ft 2 (157.5 cm), looked sharp in a tailored black pantsuit with classic black shoes, while Constance Marie, at 5ft 4 ½ (163.8 cm), glowed in a blush pink gown with black embroidered trim.

Vanessa Marano, 5ft 2 ½ (158.8 cm), added contrast in a fitted navy sheath dress with burgundy heels. Together, their coordinated yet varied styles highlighted their petite frames with polished elegance.

Katie Leclerc wears her red hair in curls at the 2016 American Film Institute Life Achievement Award Gala held on June 9, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood (Credit: Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barazza / WENN)

The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of Wedge Sneakers

As Katie Leclerc showed on the AFI Gala red carpet, wedge sneakers can be both playful and practical.

These shoes, as we know them today, had their major moment in the early 2010s thanks to French designer Isabel Marant’s now-iconic “Bekett” sneaker.

Worn by celebrities like Beyoncé and the Kardashians, the wedge sneaker embodied the athleisure boom and the effortless “model-off-duty” look.

Though the trend waned by the mid-2010s, fashion’s cyclical nature has brought wedge sneakers back into the spotlight in the 2020s, styled with fresh proportions, such as wide-leg jeans and cargo shorts. With roots tracing back to Salvatore Ferragamo’s 1930s wedge heel, this hybrid shoe continues to prove its versatility across decades.