At Hollywood Reporter & SAG-AFTRA’s 3rd Annual Emmy Nominees Night at Avra in Beverly Hills on September 21, 2019, Lea Michele delivered a polished red-carpet look with a modern edge—highlighting her tattooed feet and ankles in sleek black leather sandals.
The actress chose pointed-toe heels by Alexandre Birman, a silhouette that remains a red-carpet staple for its sharp, leg-lengthening effect. But as the evening unfolded, the reality of the design became clear: ultra-pointed sandals often prioritize style over containment, leaving even perfectly fitted feet with little room to spare.
It’s a familiar fashion paradox—high-impact heels that photograph beautifully, yet challenge comfort the moment you take a step.
Lea Michele arrives at the Hollywood Reporter & SAG-AFTRA Emmy Nominees Night in a sculptural red David Koma dress, styled with sleek black pointy-toe sandals and a high ponytail in Beverly Hills, California, on September 21, 2019 (Credit: Nicky Nelson / FayesVision / WENN)
Why Pointed-Toe Sandals Look Stunning—but Rarely Feel Forgiving
In Lea’s defense, pointed-toe sandals are notoriously unforgiving—no matter how narrow your feet are. The sharply tapered silhouette is designed for visual impact, not practicality, often leaving little room for toes to stay neatly in place once you start moving.
It’s the kind of heel that looks flawless on the carpet, yet becomes far less forgiving over the course of a long night on your feet. Proper sizing is always the first—and most important—step. Shoes that are even slightly too small will naturally force toes forward, making overhang almost inevitable and rarely flattering.
A close-up highlights Lea Michele’s tattooed ankles in black Alexandre Birman pointy-toe sandals, a sharp silhouette that prioritizes elegance over ease
The rest of Lea’s outfit was a perfectly fitted ruffled red dress by David Koma, elegant Nancy Newberg stud earrings, a sleek ponytail, and a fire-engine shade of red on her lips.
The Alexandre Birman “Smart Cocktail” sandals feature a minimalist black leather design with slim straps and a sharply tapered toe
Lauren Silverman Encounters the Same Pointed-Toe Problem
We spotted the same shoe problem on Simon Cowell’s girlfriend Lauren Silverman, who joined Julianne Hough at the America’s Got Talent Season 14 finals.
Dressed in a marigold Ronny Kobo ‘Kaira’ leopard-print silk dress, Lauren also had trouble keeping her feet contained in her pointy-toe sandals.
Lauren Silverman poses alongside Simon Cowell on the America’s Got Talent red carpet, wearing a marigold silk dress paired with nude Gianvito Rossi slingback sandals in Hollywood, California, on September 17, 2019
Lauren’s tootsies also spilled out of the front of her Gianvito Rossi nude-leather slingback sandals, which feature diagonal straps and PVC bands across the toes.
A close-up captures Lauren Silverman’s tattooed ankle and black-polished pedicure in nude leather and PVC Gianvito Rossi slingback sandals on the red carpet
It’s no surprise that square toes continue to dominate shoe trends—high heels naturally shift weight forward, compressing toes into narrow toe boxes and encouraging the foot to slide, which often leads to overhang in sharply pointed styles.
Designs with more room at the front, along with better strap placement and fit security, help counteract that forward pressure. At the same time, simple fixes like ball-of-foot cushions, lambswool inserts, or minor cobbler adjustments can make a noticeable difference in keeping feet comfortably in place.
The Gianvito Rossi diagonal-strap slingback sandals feature a nude leather base with transparent PVC bands and a sleek stiletto heel designed for a barely-there effect
When Fit Matters as Much as Fashion
Even the most beautifully designed heels can falter when fit is compromised, and pointed-toe silhouettes are among the most unforgiving. From subtle toe overhang to more noticeable fit issues, these moments serve as a reminder that red-carpet glamour often comes with real-world tradeoffs—ones that extend far beyond a single event or celebrity.
For a closer look at how this common footwear challenge has played out across the years, these notable examples offer context, caution, and plenty of shoe-related lessons.
🚫 The Ultimate Guide to Shoe Faux Pas: Toe Overhang and Ill-Fitting Footwear Fails
- 👣 The Hall of Shame: 10 Celebrities Who Suffered Toe Overhang—Featuring Julianne Moore’s infamous “Toemageddon” and Kate Beckinsale’s size mishap.
- 👠 Penélope Cruz’s Severe Case—Exposing her toes curling over way-too-small Casadei black satin slingback pumps.
- 🎬 Viola Davis’s Red Carpet Fit Check—Questions raised about her noticeable toe overhang in silver ankle-strap sandals at a film premiere.
- ⚠️ Bunions and Overhang—Sarah Paulson’s shocking display of foot bunions paired with a severe toe overhang in chain-embellished sandals.
- ✨ Supermodel Struggle—Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s major toe overhang in black patent Gianvito Rossi sandals that appeared fine initially but worsened throughout the evening.
- 🎤 Mollie King’s Shoe Disaster—The moment her high-heeled sandals created “one of the worst shoe disasters of 2015” with a significant toe overhang.