Claire Danes’ Star-Making Romeo + Juliet Style and the Shoes That Shaped Her Legacy

Nearly three decades after its release, Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 Romeo + Juliet endures as a cult classic — remembered as much for its daring, modernized Shakespearean drama as for its unforgettable fashion.

While the movie is a visual feast, some of its most enduring style moments are rooted not in spectacle, but in street style.

As the Montague boys cruise through Verona Beach, their modern take on rebellious youth is defined by a surprisingly simple—yet unforgettable—footwear choice.

The Montague boys pair their bold Hawaiian shirts with combat boots and Chuck Taylors, a footwear choice that underscores their carefree, rebellious energy and “new money” edge (Credit: 20th Century Studios)

Romeo the Knight and Juliet the Angel: Iconic Costumes That Defined a Generation

At the center of it all were two rising stars — 17-year-old Claire Danes and 21-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio — whose breakout performances, paired with their now-iconic costumes, catapulted them into Hollywood stardom.

For Danes, that journey would eventually lead to one of Tinseltown’s highest honors: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, accepted in equally show-stopping red-carpet style.

As the star-crossed lovers meet, their costumes become a key part of the magic. While Romeo is a knight in armor, Juliet appears as a literal ‘bright angel’—a vision in white. Designed by Kym Barrett, her ethereal angel dress, often mistakenly attributed to Prada, is an iconic piece of cinematic fashion history.

Claire Danes, dressed as an angel in a white dress, shares an iconic kiss with Leonardo DiCaprio in a knight’s armor during the masquerade ball scene in Romeo + Juliet (1996) (Credit: 20th Century Studios)

Natalie Portman Was the First Choice for Juliet Before Claire Danes Stepped In

As the years have passed, fans have uncovered more and more about the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped Romeo + Juliet. One of the biggest surprises? Claire Danes wasn’t originally meant to play Juliet.

The first choice was actually Natalie Portman, then just 13 years old. While her age matched Shakespeare’s Juliet, studio executives felt her youthful appearance clashed with Leonardo DiCaprio’s more mature presence. Costumes and styling couldn’t bridge the gap — their chemistry risked feeling uncomfortable rather than romantic.

Natalie Portman was initially cast as Juliet in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, but at just 13 years old, she was ultimately considered too young to star opposite 21-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio (Credit: WENN / Sidewalk)

That decision opened the door for Claire Danes, who, at 17, brought both gravitas and elegance to the role.

In Kym Barrett’s ethereal white dresses and angelic wings, she delivered a Juliet who felt timeless, her look becoming one of the film’s most enduring fashion moments.

Leonardo DiCaprio, in a silver chainmail top, shares a tender moment with Claire Danes wearing a simple white dress during the iconic pool scene in Romeo + Juliet (1996) (Credit: 20th Century Studios)

Romeo and Juliet’s Secret Wedding: Simple, Intimate, and Stylishly Understated

The wedding scene trades spectacle for simplicity: Juliet’s modest white dress and blush Mary Jane block-heel pumps keep the focus on intimacy, while Romeo’s slim navy suit and classic tie mirror the ceremony’s pared-back mood.

Claire Danes kneels in a simple white dress and blush Mary Jane block-heel pumps as Leonardo DiCaprio, in a slim navy suit, kisses her during the secret chapel wedding in Romeo + Juliet (Credit: 20th Century Studios)

Fresh off My So-Called Life, Claire Danes took on Juliet at 17, bringing maturity and vulnerability that immediately clicked with Leonardo DiCaprio. “She was the only girl that looked me in the eye in auditions,” he told The New Yorker.

At 21, DiCaprio was determined to secure the role of Romeo. Director Baz Luhrmann wondered if he could act the part, but his earlier Oscar nomination for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape answered that. Flying to Australia to audition in person, DiCaprio sealed the role — and, with it, his status as both a daring young actor and an emerging style icon of the 1990s.

Claire Danes, dressed as Juliet in an ethereal white angel dress with delicate wings, shares an intense moment with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Romeo in Romeo + Juliet (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

Once filming began, the chemistry between Danes and DiCaprio was impossible to ignore. Their balcony and masquerade scenes have since become iconic — a blend of Shakespearean passion and Kym Barrett’s unforgettable costuming that made them look like star-crossed lovers in Prada, chainmail, and angel wings.

Leonardo DiCaprio, dressed as Romeo in silver chainmail armor, delivers one of his most iconic looks during the masquerade ball in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

Though her rise was quieter than DiCaprio’s meteoric ascent, Danes steadily earned critical respect and a devoted fan base.

That slow burn of success culminated years later in one of Hollywood’s most enduring honors: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And true to form, she accepted it with grace — and in unforgettable red-carpet style.

Claire Danes Honored With a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in Oscar de la Renta and Kurt Geiger Heels

Claire Danes wears her blonde hair down as she’s honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 24, 2015 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

It was about time someone gave Claire Danes a star! In September 2015, the actress finally received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after years of work in Hollywood.

Claire may have burst onto the scene alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in “Romeo and Juliet.” Still, she never seemed to get a big break like Leo’s role in “Titanic,” and instead, found herself slowly taking on more minor roles.

Claire Danes stuns on the red carpet in a red Oscar de la Renta dress paired with nude ankle-strap heels

That’s why her tearful speech felt so poignant. At 36, Claire Danes paid tribute to her parents’ sacrifices, recalling how her father drove her to countless auditions and her mother supported her every step of the way.

Overcome with emotion, she broke down in gratitude, making the moment as moving as it was memorable.

Actress Claire Danes with her mom Carla Danes (née Hall) and her dad Christopher Danes (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

“This is really cool to see my fans come here and cheer me on,” she said. “That just means so very much to me. And of course, my parents are here. These are the two without whom I would be doing something else entirely.”

“This is a little overwhelming and totally wonderful. I just learned that this building was built for actors because actors were such an unreliable unseemly bunch and they could never pay their rent and they needed some charity, so it’s appropriate that I reside here.”

Claire Danes’ feet in strappy Kurt Geiger heels (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

Claire wore a red laser-cutout dress by Oscar de la Renta, which she paired with strappy heels from Kurt Geiger London.

The choice of nude strappy heels was especially flattering, as the skin-toned shade created the illusion of longer legs — a classic red-carpet styling trick. At 5 feet 5 inches (165.1 cm), just above the average height for American women, Danes often relies on sleek footwear to elongate her silhouette.

Paired with her go-to shoe size 8 US, the Kurt Geiger heels perfectly balanced comfort with elegance, making her look statuesque in front of the cameras.

Claire Danes shows off her shoulders in a red Oscar de la Renta dress, pairing it with nude ankle-strap heels that create the illusion of longer legs (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

The actress also wore some jewelry from Eva Fehren.

Claire Danes poses with her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

We can’t offer you your own Hollywood star, but we can point you toward Claire’s star-worthy heels. Once available from Kurt Geiger London, the dazzling pair has since sold out — making them even more of a red-carpet rarity.

Nude Kurt Geiger ‘Maia’ High Heel Sandals, £220

Explore More of Claire Danes’ Style Legacy

As Claire Danes’ career has evolved from breakout teen star to acclaimed actress, her fashion moments have remained just as compelling as her performances. From red-carpet elegance to timeless shoe choices, here are some of her most memorable style highlights featured on Your Next Shoes: