Sky-High Nostalgia: 5 Times LeAnn Rimes Defined the Early-2010s Platform Trend

At red carpets and industry events across Los Angeles between 2011 and 2012, LeAnn Rimes built a recognizable footwear wardrobe around towering platforms, sharply structured sandals, and dramatic designer heels that reflected the bold shoe trends of the early 2010s.

While many celebrity looks from that era now feel heavily styled or trend-driven, Rimes’ shoe choices still stand out for their consistency. She regularly paired fitted dresses and minimalist silhouettes with statement heels from labels like Giuseppe Zanotti, Azzedine Alaïa, Alexander McQueen, and Christian Louboutin, often letting the footwear become the focal point of the outfit.

From sculptural fishbone platforms to extreme hidden-platform pumps and sky-high suede sandals, these looks capture a moment when statement heels dominated celebrity red carpets — and when LeAnn Rimes fully embraced the trend.

1. Gilded Drama: Alexander McQueen Fishbone Platform Sandals

LeAnn Rimes leaned into the bold white-and-gold glamour that defined many early-2010s red-carpet looks when she attended the ESPY 2011 Pre-Party at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood on July 11, 2011.

LeAnn Rimes paired a curve-hugging white Boulee cutout dress with gilded Alexander McQueen platform sandals and stacked Ippolita Rosé bangles at the ESPY 2011 Pre-Party in Hollywood on July 11, 2011

Attending with her husband, Eddie Cibrian, LeAnn Rimes later reflected on celebrating the Fourth of July together for the first time, sharing on her official website that she was moved by his family’s appreciation for the freedoms they found after coming to America from Cuba.

Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes attend the 2011 ESPY Pre-Party held at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood on July 11, 2011 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

While the body-conscious Boulee dress drew attention for its sharp side cutouts and draped neckline, the real focal point was her choice of sculptural Alexander McQueen platform sandals, which added metallic texture and dramatic height to the otherwise minimal palette.

Turning Heads: LeAnn Rimes makes a bold statement in a chic white cutout dress, showcasing her slender silhouette

In July 2013, the singer wore another white dress with modern Giuseppe Zanotti booties at the Friend Movement Campaign benefit concert. Four years later, she also styled a white shirt dress with Alaïa suede platform boots for an AOL Build interview in New York City.

Her Alexander McQueen “Fishbone” platform sandals combined towering heels, metallic ribbed detailing, and glittered platforms for one of the most dramatic shoe moments of the early 2010s

2. Sculptural Edge: Alexander McQueen Heelless Bow Booties

LeAnn Rimes is a country music sensation known for her vocal chops. But at The Trevor Project’s 2011 Trevor Live! At the event held at The Hollywood Palladium, she proved that she has other talents, too.

LeAnn Rimes and her husband Eddie Cibrian attended the bi-annual gala celebrating The Trevor Project

The entertainer wowed everybody with her balancing skills and fancy footwork when she showed up for the event wearing black heelless booties from Alexander McQueen.

LeAnn Rimes paired a flowing emerald-green cape dress with dramatic black Alexander McQueen heelless booties while attending Trevor Live! with Eddie Cibrian at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on December 4, 2011 (Credit: WENN / B.Dowling)

The country music star opted for a stylized retro look with a striking green circle dress from Nini.

Her dress provided a pop of color and a nice contrast to her decidedly dark accessories, from her teardrop earrings and clutch to her incredible choice of footwear.

Alexander McQueen’s shoes are magnificent works of art, and I have been obsessed with these boots since they came out in the Fall 2011 collection.

LeAnn Rimes added dramatic edge to her red-carpet look with black Alexander McQueen heelless booties featuring sculptural wedge soles, oversized ankle bows, and sharp cutout detailing

3. Sharp Contrast: Giuseppe Zanotti Black Suede Platform Sandals

At the inaugural American Giving Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on December 9, 2011, LeAnn Rimes leaned into a sleek, body-conscious red-carpet look centered on dramatic footwear.

LeAnn Rimes arrives at the 1st annual American Giving Awards presented by Chase held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California on December 9, 2011 (Credit: Starbux / WENN)

Serving as both a presenter and performer during the ceremony, she wore a fitted white Azzedine Alaïa dress with sculpted ruching and a thigh-high slit that kept the focus on her shoes.

LeAnn Rimes softened the sharp geometry of her towering Giuseppe Zanotti heels with loose blonde waves, smoky eyes, and a pale textured Alaïa dress at the American Giving Awards

While the dress had a softer, more romantic finish, Rimes balanced it with sharper accessories and towering Giuseppe Zanotti platform sandals.

Layered cocktail rings and vintage-inspired diamond jewelry added extra sparkle and texture against the understated blush-toned fabric

The real standout of the outfit was the footwear. Her black suede Giuseppe Zanotti sandals added contrast, height, and structure, giving the look a stronger edge than the dress alone.

The thick platform soles, slim ankle straps, and towering heels reflected the bold early-2010s platform trend popularized by celebrities in Giuseppe Zanotti styles like the mustard-yellow suede sandals worn by Leighton Meester during New York Fashion Week, when sky-high platforms became a defining red-carpet silhouette.

Her suede t-strap platform sandals have dizzying 6″-high heels balanced out by 1 3/4″ platform soles.

LeAnn Rimes grounded the feminine dress with towering black suede Giuseppe Zanotti platform sandals featuring cutout panels, thick platforms, and razor-thin stiletto heels

4. Extreme Height: Christian Louboutin Highness Python Platform Pumps

In February 2012, LeAnn Rimes turned heads at will.i.am‘s star-studded Trans4Mation Experience at the Hollywood Palladium, perfectly blending bold fashion with her signature love for sky-high heels.

LeAnn Rimes pulls a funny face on the red carpet, showcasing her glamorous updo and sparkling teardrop earrings at will.i.am‘s Trans4Mation Experience held at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood on February 9, 2012 (Credit: Apega / WENN / Travis Wade)

The country singer showcased her toned legs in a chic Hervé Léger by Max Azria scalloped mini dress, adding dramatic height with towering Christian Louboutin Highness platform pumps in python — one of the most coveted and daring Louboutin designs of the era.

LeAnn Rimes wears her hair in a sleek high bun, accentuating her glowing skin, subtle shimmery eye makeup, and glossy nude lips, while accessorizing with glittering drop earrings

Her statement-making look captured the high-platform trend that dominated red carpets at the time, highlighting her timeless red carpet style.

LeAnn Rimes showed off her toned legs in a scalloped white mini dress paired with a pale blazer, accessorized with towering python Christian Louboutin Highness platform pumps that elongated her 5ft 5in (165.1 cm) frame

Standing at 5ft 5 (165.1 cm), LeAnn Rimes benefited from the towering python platform pumps, which added dramatic height and beautifully elongated her legs.

LeAnn Rimes shows off her feet in Christian Louboutin snake pumps

5. Graphic Glamour: Christian Louboutin Strappy Buckled Platform Sandals

LeAnn Rimes embraced the dramatic cutout trend dominating early-2010s red carpets when she arrived at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 1, 2012.

LeAnn Rimes paired a one-shouldered Stella McCartney cutout dress with towering Christian Louboutin platform sandals and a loose updo at the 2012 ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 1, 2012

Her asymmetrical Stella McCartney dress balanced bold geometric prints with illusion mesh panels, while the neutral Christian Louboutin platform sandals kept the focus on the sculptural silhouette.

Her taupe Christian Louboutin sandals featured stacked platforms, slim stiletto heels, and multiple buckle straps that added structure to the graphic Stella McCartney dress

LeAnn Rimes’ footwear choices from this period offer a strong snapshot of early-2010s red-carpet shoe trends, from extreme platforms and hidden heels to sculptural designer sandals that prioritized height, shape, and visual impact.

Whether styled with fitted Alaïa dresses or sleek monochrome looks, the shoes consistently remained the centerpiece of the outfit.

LeAnn Rimes’ Love of Statement Heels Never Really Changed

From extreme hidden platforms and sculptural Alexander McQueen sandals to towering Giuseppe Zanotti stilettos and Christian Louboutin pumps, LeAnn Rimes consistently leaned into bold footwear throughout the early 2010s. Even as red-carpet trends shifted over the years, her preference for dramatic height, sharp silhouettes, and attention-grabbing heels remained remarkably consistent.

Many of these looks now feel like a snapshot of an era when sky-high platforms dominated celebrity fashion, but the shoes themselves still stand out for their confidence, shape, and styling impact. Whether paired with body-conscious dresses, sleek monochrome outfits, or embellished stage looks, Rimes regularly treated footwear as the focal point rather than an afterthought.