Millie Bobby Brown’s Best Book Tour Shoes: From $89 Steve Madden Slides to Designer Heels

In September 2023, Millie Bobby Brown stepped into the publishing world with her debut novel, Nineteen Steps, while making appearances in New York and London that blended book promotion with her evolving fashion identity.

The release sparked conversation about celebrity ghostwriting, but it also gave Brown a polished press-tour moment, from sculptural white heels in NYC to understated black evening sandals in London.

Available on Amazon, Nineteen Steps draws inspiration from Brown’s family history during World War II. Historical novelist Kathleen McGurl collaborated with Brown on the project, a detail that became central to the online discussion surrounding the book after its release.

Ghostwriting has long been common in celebrity publishing, though debates around credit and authorship continue to resurface whenever a high-profile figure releases a book.

Brown publicly acknowledged McGurl’s involvement in the project, but online reactions remained divided, with some readers questioning how celebrity collaborations are credited in publishing.

In a blog post, McGurl explained that Brown and her family provided research materials and ideas throughout the writing process while the two collaborated remotely. She also noted that the manuscript evolved through multiple drafts as the story was refined.

Millie Bobby Brown steps out in a figure-skimming tie-dye Joseph dress paired with white Steve Madden puff-strap heels, while Jake Bongiovi keeps things casual in oversized denim, a taupe tee, and green-and-white sneakers as the couple leave The Today Show in New York City following press for Nineteen Steps on September 14, 2023 (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)

While promoting the novel in New York City, Brown was accompanied by her fiancé, Jake Bongiovi, as the couple moved between television appearances and press events.

Dropping by The Today Show, the Stranger Things star highlighted her figure in a form-fitting tie-dye midi dress from the British contemporary designer brand Joseph.

Brown’s fitted tie-dye Joseph dress gave the press appearance a softer, early-2000s-inspired feel while allowing her white accessories to stand out.

Millie Bobby Brown pairs a figure-hugging black-and-white tie-dye Joseph midi dress with white Steve Madden puff-strap heels, adding sleek sunglasses and a denim-effect Louis Vuitton Petite Malle bag for a polished press-day look in New York City (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)

Millie’s knitted Joseph dress featured a slim fit-and-flare silhouette with a high neckline and long sleeves, emphasizing the look’s clean lines.

She kept the look cohesive with a denim-effect “Petite Malle” box clutch from Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection, decorated with gold-tone hardware that matched her statement hoop earrings.

Millie grounded the patterned dress with crisp white Steve Madden heels, using the minimalist sandals to break up the busy tie-dye print without competing against it.

The Steve Madden “Kloss” sandals featured padded puff straps, square toes, and sharply angled heels that added structure to the otherwise soft, fluid outfit.

Millie Bobby Brown pairs her tie-dye midi dress with white vegan leather slide sandals featuring sculptural puffed straps by Steve Madden (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Brown, who is frequently compared to Natalie Portman, shielded her eyes behind oversized brown sunglasses and styled her hair in a sleek, tightly pulled-back ponytail. Glossy makeup and classic French-tip nails completed the polished daytime look.

Jake Bongiovi kept his outfit understated, in contrast to Brown’s more fashion-forward press look.

Jake Bongiovi keeps a low-key look in a brown tee, ripped baggy jeans, and sneakers as he holds Millie’s hand (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Days earlier, the two appeared together at the launch of Millie’s debut novel at London’s Hackney Empire. Jake looked dapper in a beige shirt with matching khaki trousers and white sneakers while walking hand-in-hand with Millie, who was pictured holding a black umbrella to keep them dry.

Black open-toe heels completed the outfit with a clean, uninterrupted line that kept the focus on silhouette rather than accessories.

She then wore her signature cat-eye makeup and styled her tresses into a sleek, center-parted ponytail with softly curled, waist-length hair extensions.

Millie Bobby Brown braves the London rain in a sleek black one-shoulder ensemble styled with delicate strappy heels, while Jake Bongiovi complements her understated evening look in a striped cream shirt, khaki trousers, and white sneakers at the Nineteen Steps book launch at Hackney Empire on September 12, 2023 (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)

Millie Bobby Brown’s Press-Tour Style Keeps the Focus on Shape, Polish, and Shoes

From her white Steve Madden sandals in New York to her black open-toe heels in London, Brown’s Nineteen Steps appearances showed how a carefully chosen shoe can define the mood of a look. For more of her standout fashion and footwear moments, explore the Your Next Shoes features below.