How Lily James Uses Her 5ft 7 Height to Command Every Red Carpet — One Pair of Heels at a Time

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In the 2022 Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy, Lily James flawlessly transformed into Pamela Anderson—capturing the Baywatch icon’s allure without resorting to the towering stacked heels that defined Anderson’s bombshell era. Standing 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), James didn’t need the extra lift, and her performance alongside Sebastian Stan’s Tommy Lee was praised for its precision and emotional nuance.

Years earlier, she had already proven her red-carpet range. At The Fashion Awards 2019 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Lily stunned in a white Valentino Fall 2019 Haute Couture gown topped with an oversized metallic-gold bow, styled with Aquazzura Platinum Veranda sandals and Sophie Bille Brahe Botticelli 14K gold-and-pearl earrings. This daring yet refined statement hinted at the fearless fashion sensibility she would later bring to her screen transformations.

Lily James in a white Valentino Fall 2019 Haute Couture gown with an oversized metallic-gold bow, her hidden Aquazzura heels subtly elongating the sleek silhouette at The Fashion Awards 2019 Lily James in a white Valentino Fall 2019 Haute Couture gown with an oversized metallic-gold bow, her hidden Aquazzura heels subtly elongating the sleek silhouette at The Fashion Awards 2019 at Royal Albert Hall on December 2, 2019, in London, England (Credit: Avalon / WENN)

Height and Style: Lily James’s Physical Attributes

Standing at 5ft 7 (170.2 cm), Lily James is around four inches taller than the average British woman, who measures about 5ft 3 (160 cm).

Her height places her among the taller actresses in Hollywood, complemented by a US shoe size 9 — equivalent to UK 7, EU 39.5, JP 27.5, and AU 9.

Lily James turned heads at Paris Fashion Week in a sleek black Christian Dior peplum co-ord, elevating the look with pointed-toe stiletto heels and a quilted Lady Dior handbagLily James turned heads at Paris Fashion Week in a sleek black Christian Dior peplum co-ord, elevating the look with pointed-toe stiletto heels and a quilted Lady Dior handbag at the Christian Dior Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week at Jardin des Tuileries on March 4, 2025, in Paris, France (Credit: Aurore Marechal / Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Stepping in Style: Lily James’s Most Memorable Designer Heel Moments

Lily James highlights her elegant size 9 (US) feet in minimalist black ankle-strap stiletto sandals that elongate her legs and complement her refined red-carpet aestheticLily James highlights her elegant size 9 (US) feet in minimalist black ankle-strap stiletto sandals that elongate her legs and complement her refined red-carpet aesthetic (Credit: Brian Dowling / WENN)

Aesthetic Choices: Adapting Pamela’s Signature Style

The lead costume designer, Kameron Lennox, mirrored Anderson’s real-life fashion sense and choices, selectively adapting her iconic look.

Lennox shared insights in an interview with Below the Line, noting that while Anderson had a penchant for high-profile designers like Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, her style was often understated to emphasize her physique. Lennox opted for Yves Saint Laurent stilettos over stacked heels for James, driven by practicality and aesthetics.

“The only thing I tweaked a bit was not putting Lily in the big stacked heels, because Lily is so tall (5ft 7). So I used stilettos from Yves Saint Laurent,” said Lennox.

Lily James did not wear Pamela Anderson's signature stacked heels in Pam & Tommy due to her taller height (5ft 7), opting instead for Yves Saint Laurent stilettos as adjusted by the show's lead costume designer, Kameron LennoxLily James did not wear Pamela Anderson’s signature stacked heels in Pam & Tommy due to her taller height (5ft 7), opting instead for Yves Saint Laurent stilettos as adjusted by the show’s lead costume designer, Kameron Lennox (Credit: Hulu)

Lennox praised James for her professionalism and dedication, highlighting her early arrival on set and openness to collaboration. These qualities were invaluable in bringing the character to life with authenticity and respect for Anderson’s legacy.

Making a Statement: Lily James’s Oscar Debut

Everyone wants to make a lasting impression at their first Oscar appearance, and Lily James did that and more.

The perfect combination of bombshell elegance, she had heads turning from the moment she stepped onto that red carpet in her pink lace Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2021 Couture dress featuring a very high slit and sweetheart neckline.

Lily completed this unforgettable look with pink platform heels, a dramatic diamond necklace, and stud earrings.

Lily James hit the Oscars red carpet for the first time in a pink lace Atelier Versace dress at the 94th Annual Academy AwardsLily James hit the Oscars red carpet for the first time in a pink lace Atelier Versace dress at the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California (Credit: Abby Grant / Cover Images / InstarImages)

Beyond the Red Carpet: A Presenter’s Role

Although Lily was not nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy, she still made a stage appearance as a presenter during the awards ceremony.

During the show, she joined Halle Bailey and Naomi Scott to present the award for Best Animated Feature to Disney’s mega-hit film Encanto.

Lily James showed off her glittering diamond Piaget Heliconia necklace with a singular topaz rock at the centerLily James showed off her glittering diamond Piaget Heliconia necklace with a singular topaz rock at the center (Credit: Abby Grant / Cover Images / InstarImages)

Capturing Hearts: Lily’s Love for Her Look

When chatting with E! host Laverne Cox about her dress, she excitedly said, “I’m in love with it, I can’t believe I get to wear it. I feel incredible.”

She went on to say, “I can’t believe I’m here, this is so wild. It’s my first Oscars and I’m just looking around like … the glamour of it all, it’s crazy.”

Crazy, yes, but what a successful evening for this new entrant to the Oscar scene.

Lily James reveals her size 9 (US) feet in blush pink platform heels that peek from beneath her lace Atelier Versace gown, the glossy finish perfectly echoing the romantic tone of her Oscar debut lookLily James reveals her size 9 (US) feet in blush pink platform heels that peek from beneath her lace Atelier Versace gown, the glossy finish perfectly echoing the romantic tone of her Oscar debut look (Credit: Abby Grant / Cover Images / InstarImages)

Versatility on Display: Spirit Awards Fashion

Earlier the same month, she attended the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards in a cropped top with puffed sleeves and high-waist trousers from Del Core, a fashion house founded in Milan by Daniel Del Core. She accessorized with jewelry by Anita Ko.

Lily James in a Del Core outfit at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit AwardsLily James in a Del Core outfit at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards at the Santa Monica Pier on March 6, 2022, in Santa Monica, California (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)

Embracing Cinderella: A Fairy Tale Promotion

In March 2015, it looked like Lily James had taken her latest role to heart.

Lily James attends the special screening of Cinderella at the Scotiabank TheatreLily James attends the special screening of Cinderella at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, Canada, on March 11, 2015 (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)

The actress played the title character in the 2015 romantic fantasy film Cinderella, and she channeled her character throughout the movie’s promotional campaign in a series of stunning looks.

At the premiere in Hollywood, Lily took our breath away in a blue-gray Elie Saab embroidered gown and custom-made Christian Louboutin pumps.

Lily James shows off her natural-looking makeup and décolletage by wearing her blonde hair swept backLily James shows off her natural-looking makeup and décolletage by wearing her blonde hair swept back (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)

A few days later, the then-25-year-old actress went back to basics. She opted for a structured white Christian Dior dress to a special screening of the romantic fantasy film at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto, Canada.

She looked every bit the modern-day princess in her simple dress, which featured a V-neck, long sleeves, and button details.

Lily James looks radiant in a structured white Christian Dior dress with a V-neck and button detailing, styled with ruby red Aquazzura “Leaf” pumps and an Olympia Le-Tan “Cinderella” book clutch at the Toronto special screening of CinderellaLily James looks radiant in a structured white Christian Dior dress with a V-neck and button detailing, styled with ruby red Aquazzura “Leaf” pumps and an Olympia Le-Tan “Cinderella” book clutch at the Toronto special screening of Cinderella (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)

She pulled her golden tresses back to show off her natural makeup and completed her look with a few minimal pieces of jewelry, including a pair of pearl earrings and a selection of rings.

Lily James carries an Olympia Le-Tan “Cinderella” book clutch—a whimsical embroidered accessory that playfully nods to her Disney role while adding a touch of storybook charm to her lookLily James carries an Olympia Le-Tan “Cinderella” book clutch—a whimsical embroidered accessory that playfully nods to her Disney role while adding a touch of storybook charm to her look (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)

Lily added a bit of novelty to her look with her Olympia Le-Tan “Cinderella” book clutch, a collaboration between Olympia Le-Tan and Disney.

Lily James steps out in ruby red Aquazzura “Leaf” pumps featuring scalloped suede trim and clear PVC panels that perfectly complement her classic Dior dressLily James steps out in ruby red Aquazzura “Leaf” pumps featuring scalloped suede trim and clear PVC panels that perfectly complement her classic Dior dress (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)

Footwear to Remember: Lily’s Choice of Pumps

The actress finished her ethereal look with a pair of ruby red “Leaf” pumps by Aquazzura. These pumps feature cutout details, clear vinyl trim, pointed toes, and about four-inch heels.

Lily James reveals toe cleavage and shows off the detailing on her "Leaf" pumpsLily James reveals toe cleavage and shows off the detailing on her “Leaf” pumps (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)

These red suede pumps from the popular women’s shoe brand are already sold out, but fortunately, a metallic gold version is available at Mytheresa and Farfetch.

Aquazzura Leaf Metallic Leather PVC PumpsAquazzura Leaf Metallic Leather PVC Pumps, $795

Other Stylish Stars Who Share Lily James’s Height

As this article draws to a close, it’s clear that Lily James stands among an impressive circle of actresses who share not only her 5′7″ (170 cm) stature but also her impeccable taste in footwear. From timeless pumps to daring red-carpet heels, these stars prove that height is just the foundation of great style.

👠 Related Celebs Around 5′7″ and Their Shoe-Moments: