When Natalie Portman arrived at the Darryl Zanuck Theater in Los Angeles on September 25, 2019, for the premiere of Lucy in the Sky, the visual contrast was immediate.
Standing at approximately 5 feet 2½ inches (158.8 cm), she appeared notably petite beside co-star Jon Hamm, who measures 6 feet ¾ inch (184.8 cm)—a height difference that only sharpened the demands placed on her choice of heels.
That context made the details at her feet more revealing: her outfit offered a candid look at the physical toll of red-carpet footwear.
Natalie Portman and Jon Hamm at the premiere of Lucy in the Sky at the Darryl Zanuck Theater at FOX Studios in Los Angeles, California, on September 25, 2019 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
While the actress maintained her usual composure alongside co-star Jon Hamm, her choice of footwear revealed the practical, if painful, side of high-fashion styling.
The focal point for shoe enthusiasts wasn’t just her black suede ankle-strap sandals, but the visible bandages protecting her feet.
Natalie Portman’s minimalist black ankle-strap sandals reveal a small bandage at the base of her left big toe, placed to ease pressure along the front strap
Portman had a small adhesive strip at the base of her left big toe and a larger flesh-colored bandage under her left heel—common preventative measures for anyone navigating a long evening in heels.
The placement of the bandages suggests Portman was likely managing existing blisters or hot spots rather than injuries caused by these specific sandals. The thin straps of her suede heels do not align with the taped areas, indicating the irritation may have stemmed from a previous pair of shoes or the friction of a long press tour.
Natalie Portman’s black ankle-strap sandals reveal a discreet flesh-toned bandage under her left heel, a practical fix against red-carpet friction
While some may speculate on foot health or bunions, the reality is often simpler: even the most well-made heels can cause significant friction during standing-only events.
While the footwear told one story, her outfit grounded the look in precise tailoring. Natalie Portman wore a custom Givenchy Fall 2019 two-piece set designed by Clare Waight Keller, the house’s then-creative director. At first glance, it read as a sharply cut mini dress, but the structure revealed a more deliberate pairing.
Natalie Portman wears a custom Givenchy Fall 2019 two-piece by Clare Waight Keller, featuring a sharply structured, shoulder-padded bodysuit with a dramatic plunging neckline
The foundation was a long-sleeved black jersey bodysuit, cut with a dramatic, navel-grazing plunge and framed by structured, square shoulders that introduced a subtle 1980s edge. Layered over it, a wool-crepe mini skirt added a tailored counterpoint, its tuxedo-inspired construction defined by flap pockets that brought a utilitarian note to the otherwise streamlined silhouette.
The pulling at the waistband and the delicate taping on her feet serve as a reminder that even for seasoned Hollywood stars, striking the right balance between style and comfort is difficult.
Natalie Portman in a cut-down-to-there bodysuit and a mini skirt with a too-tight waistband
When Red-Carpet Heels Reveal the Reality Behind the Look
Natalie Portman’s bandaged feet make this moment feel less like a styling flaw than a reminder of what red-carpet dressing often demands: beautiful shoes, long hours, hard floors, and very little room for comfort. For more celebrity moments where fashion and foot pain meet, explore these related Your Next Shoes features.
👠 Explore Red-Carpet Shoe Problems, Foot Pain & Fashion Reality:
- 🩹 Margot Robbie’s high-heel survival trick shows how even polished Oscar-season styling can depend on foot-pain spray when Roger Vivier and Jimmy Choo heels have to last from day to night.
- 👣 Lea Michele’s pointed-toe Alexandre Birman sandals reveal the less forgiving side of sleek red-carpet heels, where sharp silhouettes can leave toes with little room to stay contained.
- ⚡ Karlie Kloss’ Brian Atwood “Patty” pumps capture the strain of a steep pitch and open-side construction, proving that sculptural heels can look striking while offering very little support.
- 🔥 Malin Akerman’s Salvatore Ferragamo sandals turn a red-carpet look into a study in tight straps, visible pressure, and the kind of blister risk that comes with barely-there evening shoes.
- 💫 Amy Adams’ Venice Film Festival heels show how Tom Ford sandals and towering Jimmy Choo “Pearl” heels can sharpen a glamorous look while drawing attention to real foot-pressure issues.
- 👠 Your Next Shoes’ high-heel pain guide explains why towering heels shift pressure toward the balls of the feet, offering practical context for the discomfort often visible in celebrity shoe moments.
- 🦶 The celebrity bunion guide connects red-carpet footwear to one of the most common foot concerns, from Victoria Beckham to Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Hudson, and Paris Hilton.