Lily Collins’ Best Shoe Moments: From Mesh Tuxedo Pumps to Vintage Louboutins

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In March 2022, Lily Collins stepped out in New York for a series of appearances that showcased the range of her personal style.

Across a Ralph Lauren runway presentation, a television interview, and a casual Soho outing, she paired sharply tailored clothing with very different footwear—from sheer mesh pumps to wrap heels and classic Chelsea boots.

Best known for the colorful wardrobe of Emily in Paris, Collins approached these appearances with a more understated palette, letting thoughtful shoe choices shape the character of each outfit.

Lily Collins Pairs Sheer Mesh Pumps With a Ralph Lauren Tuxedo

Lily Collins attends Ralph Lauren's Spring 2022 Ready to Wear runway presentation on March 22, 2022Lily Collins attends Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2022 Ready to Wear runway presentation on March 22, 2022 (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto)

Naturally, the American actress opted for a creation from the American fashion label. She wore a borrowed-from-the-boys fitted black tuxedo with a white high-neck shirt and a black bow tie.

Styled by Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, Lily glammed up her menswear-inspired outfit with just a pair of diamond stud earrings and a couple of rings—one of which was her engagement ring from her now-husband, film director and writer Charlie McDowell.

Lily Collins traded her signature feminine Emily in Paris style for a sharply tailored Ralph Lauren tuxedo, finishing the menswear-inspired look with pointed-toe black leather-and-mesh pumps and a Cartier Double C mini bagLily Collins traded her signature feminine Emily in Paris style for a sharply tailored Ralph Lauren tuxedo, finishing the menswear-inspired look with pointed-toe black leather-and-mesh pumps and a Cartier Double C mini bag (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto)

She then carried a $2,660 Cartier Double C De Cartier Mini Model chain bag and completed her look with a pair of pointy pumps with leather and mesh uppers.

As for her beauty look, Lily’s hairstylist DJ Quintero slicked her brunette tresses into a neat bun, while makeup artist Vincent Oquendo applied smokey eyeliner with pink blush, peachy eyeshadow, and matching lipstick.

Lily Collins slicks her tresses into a neat bun and wears subtle smokey eyeshadow and peachy lip colorLily Collins slicks her tresses into a neat bun and wears subtle smokey eyeshadow and peachy lip color (Credit: John Nacion / Startraksphoto)

The Rules Don’t Apply star was accompanied by her husband, Charlie McDowell, who looked dapper in a three-piece dark gray suit, composed of a waistcoat, a blazer, and matching trousers.

Underneath, he wore a striped shirt with a white collar, styled with a black tie, and completed with black dress shoes.

Lily Collins' husband Charlie McDowell looks dapper in a three-piece gray suit with a striped shirt and a black tieLily Collins’ husband Charlie McDowell looks dapper in a three-piece gray suit with a striped shirt and a black tie (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto)

Before attending the Ralph Lauren presentation, Collins made a stop at CBS Studios for a CBS Mornings appearance. While the color palette remained understated, she swapped structured tailoring for a softer, deconstructed silhouette and chose shoes that echoed the outfit’s flowing lines rather than contrasting them.

Lily Collins Wears Andrea Wazen Denver Wrap Pumps With A.W.A.K.E. Mode

The Tolkien star looked effortlessly glamorous in a French chic beige outfit from London-based womenswear label A.W.A.K.E. Mode.

She wore a deconstructed double midi skirt with front and back central slit and an asymmetric shirt with a round neck, buttoned cuffs, and a belted waist.

Lily Collins brought understated French-inspired style to her CBS Mornings appearance in an asymmetric beige A.W.A.K.E. Mode ensemble, finished with Andrea Wazen "Denver" wrap pumps, a Cartier Double C mini bag, and a bold red lipLily Collins brought understated French-inspired style to her CBS Mornings appearance in an asymmetric beige A.W.A.K.E. Mode ensemble, finished with Andrea Wazen “Denver” wrap pumps, a Cartier Double C mini bag, and a bold red lip (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Keeping the focus on her outfit, Lily accessorized with just a pair of dangling earrings and several gold rings.

She then gave the glam look a hint of sultry edge by wearing bold red lip color and styling her brunette tresses in soft waves with feathered fringe.

Lily Collins adds a pop of color to the look with red lipstick and wears her tresses in soft wavesLily Collins adds a pop of color to the look with red lipstick and wears her tresses in soft waves (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

She carried the same Cartier Double C De Cartier mini bag but changed the mood entirely with Andrea Wazen’s “Denver” wrap pumps.

Their sheer beige mesh uppers and brown leather ankle ties echoed the neutral tones of the A.W.A.K.E. Mode ensemble, creating a softer finish than the sharper pumps she wore later that day.

Lily Collins completed her A.W.A.K.E. Mode ensemble with Andrea Wazen "Denver" wrap pumps featuring sheer beige mesh uppers, brown leather ankle ties, and elegant 4-inch stiletto heelsLily Collins completed her A.W.A.K.E. Mode ensemble with Andrea Wazen “Denver” wrap pumps featuring sheer beige mesh uppers, brown leather ankle ties, and elegant 4-inch stiletto heels (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

The following day, Collins traded fashion events for a relaxed walk through Soho. Instead of dress shoes, she finished a practical layered outfit with timeless Chelsea boots, showing how easily her footwear shifted from polished appearances to everyday wear.

Lily Collins Styles Brown Chelsea Boots for a Casual Soho Walk

Charlie stayed warm in a navy coat over a gray sweater and cuffed jeans, while Lily looked chic in a brown coat, a red turtleneck sweater, and light-washed jeans.

She paired the look with brown Chelsea boots and finished it with a blush-colored crossbody bag.

Lily Collins layered a brown belted wool coat over a bright red turtleneck and cuffed jeans for a stroll through Soho, completing the casual look with classic brown leather Chelsea boots and a blush crossbody bagLily Collins layered a brown belted wool coat over a bright red turtleneck and cuffed jeans for a stroll through Soho, completing the casual look with classic brown leather Chelsea boots and a blush crossbody bag on March 23, 2022 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Collins’ March 2022 appearances highlighted her preference for understated footwear that complemented, rather than dominated, an outfit. Earlier in her career, however, her red-carpet choices leaned toward bolder silhouettes, with Christian Louboutin heels becoming a recurring favorite.

Lily Collins Wears Christian Louboutin Lamu Booties With Dolce & Gabbana

Lily Collins in a leopard-print Dolce & Gabbana dress at the 2011 MTV Movie AwardsLily Collins in a leopard-print Dolce & Gabbana dress at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles on June 5, 2011 (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

At the 2011 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, Collins paired a leopard-print Dolce & Gabbana mini dress with Alexis Bittar jewelry and a metallic Judith Leiber clutch.

The standout finish came from Christian Louboutin’s “Lamu” lace-up heels, whose cutout construction, front platform, and signature red soles matched the bold energy of the printed dress.

Lily Collins completed her Dolce & Gabbana mini dress with Christian Louboutin "Lamu" lace-up platform booties featuring peep toes, cutout detailing, gold button accents, towering stiletto heels, and the brand's signature red solesLily Collins completed her Dolce & Gabbana mini dress with Christian Louboutin “Lamu” lace-up platform booties featuring peep toes, cutout detailing, gold button accents, towering stiletto heels, and the brand’s signature red soles (Credit: WENN)

Lily Collins Pairs Christian Louboutin Very Privé Pumps With Versace

A few months later, Collins revisited Christian Louboutin for another premiere, this time pairing classic patent pumps with a more structured, fashion-forward Versace look.

Lily Collins at the "Abduction" UK film premiere held at the BFI IMAX in London on September 26, 2011Lily Collins at the “Abduction” UK film premiere held at the BFI IMAX in London on September 26, 2011 (Credit: WENN)

She paired the cocktail dress with David Yurman earrings and a gold-and-black Alexander McQueen clutch.

Lily Collins in a Versace Resort 2012 mini dress that featured a black leather bodice and gold grommet detailsLily Collins in a Versace Resort 2012 mini dress that featured a black leather bodice and gold grommet details (Credit: WENN)

The actress finished the outfit with Christian Louboutin’s patent “Very Prive” peep-toe pumps.

Lily Collins toting a gold and black Alexander McQueen clutchLily Collins toting a gold and black Alexander McQueen clutch (Credit: WENN)

The concealed platform and glossy black leather balanced the dress’s leather corset bodice and gold hardware, demonstrating how classic pumps can anchor even a heavily detailed evening look.

Lily Collins finished her Versace Resort 2012 cocktail dress with glossy black patent Christian Louboutin "Very Prive" peep-toe pumps featuring concealed platforms, soaring stiletto heels, and the house's signature red lacquered solesLily Collins finished her Versace Resort 2012 cocktail dress with glossy black patent Christian Louboutin “Very Prive” peep-toe pumps featuring concealed platforms, soaring stiletto heels, and the house’s signature red lacquered soles (Credit: WENN)

Lily Collins’ Shoe Style Balances Tailoring, Romance, and Red-Carpet Drama

From sheer mesh pumps and ankle-wrap heels to Chelsea boots and Christian Louboutin platforms, Collins consistently chooses footwear that supports the mood of each outfit rather than competing with it. The looks below trace that range across some of her most memorable fashion appearances.

👠 Explore More of Lily Collins’ Shoe Style: