Laverne Cox Opens Up About the Size 13 Struggle: Red Carpet Fit vs. Designer Samples

Laverne Cox is a master of red carpet elegance, but her polished looks often mask a persistent struggle within the fashion industry. The Orange Is the New Black star has spoken candidly about the “archaic” nature of designer sample sizes, which typically cater to a petite size 2.

As a statuesque woman who wears a size 10, Cox and her stylist, Christina Pacelli, frequently navigate a landscape where high-fashion samples simply aren’t built for diverse body types.

This challenge extends down to the literal “foundation” of her wardrobe: her shoes. Finding luxury footwear in a size 13 is a common challenge in an industry that often stops production at size 10 or 11. These sizing gaps frequently lead to the common footwear “hurdle” of toe overhang—a fit issue that occurs when even custom-made sandals struggle to accommodate the proportions of a taller frame.

Despite these logistical barriers, Cox remains a beacon of body positivity. As she famously noted, having broad shoulders or being “noticeably tall” doesn’t make a woman any less beautiful. Below, we examine two instances from 2016 in which Laverne masterfully balanced high-fashion aesthetics with the realities of the celebrity “sample size” struggle.

Outfit 1: The RVN Mini Dress & Stuart Weitzman Sandals (May 2016)

Laverne Cox masterfully balanced edge and elegance for a busy night in New York City on May 16, 2016.

Attending both the Fox Upfront Presentation at Wollman Rink and the Entertainment Weekly and People celebration at Cedar Lake, the actress and advocate opted for a singular, high-impact look that transitioned seamlessly between venues.

She anchored a fringed, cut-out mini dress by RVN with shimmering Stuart Weitzman sandals, a Nathalie Trad clutch, and Laura Cantu jewelry.

Laverne Cox in a cut-out RVN mini dress at the Fox Upfront Presentation Party and the Entertainment Weekly and People Upfronts Party on May 16, 2016 (Credit: WENN / Andres Otero / Ivan Nikolov)

While the ensemble was a masterclass in monochrome texture, it also served as a reminder that even the most seasoned red-carpet stars face common footwear hurdles—specifically the challenge of the open-toed slide.

Laverne Cox completes her sleek black cutout dress with glittering Stuart Weitzman sandals, a sculptural Nathalie Trad clutch, and Laura Cantu jewelry, letting the refined accessories elevate the modern red-carpet look

Laverne Cox showing off her feet in glittering heels

Laverne Cox shows off a polished red pedicure in silver Stuart Weitzman ankle-strap sandals, with the delicate straps and stiletto silhouette tailored to accommodate her size 13 feet on the red carpet

It’s not the first time that we’ve spotted Laverne Cox with a massive toe overhang. She’ll hopefully soon find out that they’re easily preventable.

Outfit 2: The Prabal Gurung Gown & Custom Sandals (SAG Awards 2016)

Earlier that year, Laverne Cox discussed her struggles in Hollywood in a backstage interview at the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Laverne Cox wears her hair down at the 22nd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 30, 2016, at The Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles (Credit: Apega / FayesVision / Nicky Nelson / Brian To / WENN / Joseph Marzullo)

The American actress, who won an award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series with her “Orange Is the New Black” castmates, said she had long dreamed of gaining recognition for her work and that she, too, had struggled to survive.

The first openly transgender person to appear on the cover of a Cosmopolitan magazine, she has always been open about talking about the transgender community, relationships, and her personal struggles.

Laverne Cox highlights her statuesque frame in a wine-colored Prabal Gurung gown, pairing the flowing, cutout silhouette with sleek metallic heels that elongate her legs on the red carpet

Laverne wore a wine-colored dress by Prabal Gurung featuring a floor-length chiffon skirt, a draped cape, and cutouts at the waist.

Laverne Cox steps onto the red carpet in metallic Stuart Weitzman ankle-strap sandals, their slender straps and stiletto heel adding a refined, elongating finish to her wine-hued gown

She accessorized with jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz, a clutch by Nathalie Trad, and a customized pair of heels from Stuart Weitzman.

Laverne Cox shows off her Lorraine Schwartz jewelry as she poses with her award

More of Laverne Cox’s Most Talked-About Shoe & Style Moments

From navigating luxury footwear in extended sizes to redefining red-carpet elegance on her own terms, Laverne Cox has repeatedly sparked conversation through her fashion choices.

If this look caught your attention, explore more of her most memorable shoe and style moments below—each offering deeper insight into how fit, design, and confidence intersect on and off the red carpet.