Standing at 5ft 3 ½in (161.3cm)—slightly below the average height for an English woman (5ft 4in/162.5cm)—Thandiwe Newton has mastered the art of using high heels to elongate her frame on the red carpet.
Whether in towering stilettos or elegant platforms, Newton’s footwear choices aren’t just about style—they’re a powerful tool for commanding presence.
As someone who admits, “When I am out and about I feel watched. It’s become second nature. The only time I get to be private is in my work. That is when I liberate the ego. The blessed-out sensation of liberating the ego,” Newton understands the transformative power of fashion.
On the red carpet, she steps into a world where shoes don’t just add inches—they amplify confidence, turning every appearance into a moment of self-expression and liberation.
A Step Above: Thandiwe Newton’s Favorite Shoe Designers
Thandiwe Newton’s footwear choices consistently showcase her impeccable taste. She often favors iconic designers like Charlotte Olympia and Stella McCartney, along with luxury brands known for their sophisticated craftsmanship.
Her go-to labels elevate her ensembles with effortless elegance, making each red carpet appearance a masterclass in timeless style:
- Alexander McQueen: At PaleyFest, Thandie showcased British pride by wearing a sheer bird-print top paired with a sequin-embellished skirt from Erdem, complemented by braided platform sandals from Alexander McQueen.
- Gianvito Rossi: At the 2018 Emmy Awards, Thandie stunned in a pink crepe caped halter gown by Brandon Maxwell, paired with Gianvito Rossi sandals, exuding sophistication and grace.
- Sophia Webster: Thandie rocked an asymmetrical long bob haircut at a red carpet event, accessorizing her look with Sylva & Cie. earrings, an Eva Fehren ring, and a pair of silver heels by Sophia Webster, adding a touch of sparkle to her ensemble.
- Alevi Milano: Thandie attended an event wearing a sleek ponytail and dark purple lip color paired with Alevi Milano’s ‘Penelope’ sandals featuring satin straps embellished with Preciosa crystal baguettes, adding a glamorous touch to her outfit.
- Giuseppe Zanotti: Thandie graced an event in a silver leaf applique dress paired with Giuseppe Zanotti’s ‘Betty’ metallic silver platform pumps featuring 4.7-inch gold-tone block heels, adding height and elegance to her look.
She wears a US shoe size 7, and her collection of designer heels—from Gianvito Rossi to Jimmy Choo—proves that great style transcends height. Let’s take a look at some of her most iconic designer heel moments:
1. Thandiwe Newton in Casadei Sandals
Thandie arrived at the “RocknRolla” world premiere in a plunging mesh-front white dress with flutter sleeves and thigh-high slits.
Thandiwe Newton shows off her assets in a plunging mesh-fronted dress at the “RocknRolla” world premiere held on September 1, 2008, at the Odeon West End in London (Credit: WENN)
She paired the daring dress with silver Casadei sandals that featured geometric designs across the top.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in geometric silver Casadei sandals (Credit: WENN)
2. Thandiwe Newton in Giuseppe Zanotti Sandals
Thandie rocked a multi-colored dress as she arrived at the 2008 GQ Men of the Year Awards event in London.
Thandiwe Newton wears a colorful dress at the GQ Men of the Year Awards held on September 2, 2008, at the Royal Opera House in London (Credit: WENN)
The purple and yellow dress featured a floral pattern and a folded, embroidered neckline. She paired the colorful dress with a pair of tortoiseshell-print Giuseppe Zanotti sandals.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in tortoiseshell-print Giuseppe Zanotti sandals (Credit: WENN)
3. Thandiwe Newton in Matthew Williamson Resort 2010 Sandal Booties
Thandiwe Newton flaunts her legs at the Serpentine Gallery summer party held at the Serpentine Gallery, London, England, on July 9, 2009 (Credit: WENN)
Thandiwe Newton displays her feet in stunning heels by British designer Matthew Williamson (Credit: WENN)
4. Thandiwe Newton in Charlotte Olympia “Carmen” Wedges
Thandiwe Newton wore a mustard-yellow dress with a pair of Charlotte Olympia wedges to a Louis Vuitton store opening held back in 2010.
Thandiwe Newton wears a strappy yellow dress to the opening of Louis Vuitton’s New Bond Street Maison held on May 25, 2010, in London (Credit: WENN)
The yellow dress featured a bubble hem and intricately patterned straps along the back.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in black Charlotte Olympia wedges (Credit: WENN)
5. Thandiwe Newton in Georgina Goodman’s “Leon Love” Sandals
Later in 2010, Thandie arrived for a different London store opening wearing an iridescent knee-length dress.
Thandiwe Newton arrives at the store opening of Solange Azagury-Partridge on June 9, 2010, in London (Credit: WENN)
She paired the strapless dress with a colorful pair of Georgina Goodman sandals, with straps designed to spell out the word “LOVE” along the side of Thandie’s feet.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in colorful Georgina Goodman “LOVE” sandals (Credit: WENN)
6. Thandiwe Newton in Stella McCartney’s “Barney” Sandals
Thandie wore a unique sheer top and skirt combo at the Fashion’s Night Out Emporio Armani cocktail party.
Thandiwe Newton shows off her legs at Fashion’s Night Out Emporio Armani cocktail party held on September 8, 2010, in London (Credit: WENN)
She paired her neutral-hued outfit with a similar shade of Stella McCartney “Barney” sandals, which featured open toes and a gold-studded design.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in gold-studded Stella McCartney sandals (Credit: WENN)
7. Thandiwe Newton in Nicholas Kirkwood Sandals
Thandie arrived at the 2010 British Fashion Awards in a blue-and-white printed dress that featured a cutout across the chest.
Thandiwe Newton wears a blue-and-white dress to the British Fashion Awards held on December 7, 2010, at the Savoy in London (Credit: WENN)
She paired the blue-and-white dress with purple lace-up sandals from Nicholas Kirkwood.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in purple lace-up Nicholas Kirkwood sandals (Credit: WENN)
8. Thandiwe Newton in Jimmy Choo’s “Ontario” Sandals
Thandie styled her hair into a blown-out bob for the 2011 ELLE Style Awards.
Thandiwe Newton looks colorful at the 2011 ELLE Style Awards held on February 14, 2011, at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London (Credit: WENN)
The actress was colorful in a floor-length purple gown featuring orange and teal floral patterns and a thigh-high slit, draping neckline, and wide teal-sequined belt.
She styled the colorful dress with a simple black pair of Jimmy Choo “Ontario” sandals
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in strappy black Jimmy Choo sandals (Credit: WENN)
9. Thandiwe Newton in Jimmy Choo “Bonnie” Sandals
Thandie ditched the dresses for an appearance on “Extra,” opting instead for a colorful business-chic ensemble.
Thandiwe Newton goes for a colorful business casual ensemble as she arrives at The Grove for an appearance on “Extra”on February 10, 2012, in Los Angeles (Credit: WENN)
The actress paired an embroidered white t-shirt with black leather leggings and a black blazer.
She finished her TV-ready outfit with Jimmy Choo’s popular “Bonnie” sandals.
Thandiwe Newton displays her toes in black, studded Jimmy Choo shoes (Credit: WENN)
10. Thandiwe Newton in Jimmy Choo’s “Koko” Sandals
The British beauty opted for another pair of Jimmy Choo heels during the premiere of “Good Deeds,” held at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live in Los Angeles.
Thandiwe Newton shimmers at the premiere of Lionsgate’s “Good Deeds” held on February 14, 2012, at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live in Los Angeles (Credit: WENN)
She wore a gold lace bubble-hemmed dress and black-and-gold Jimmy Choo “Koko” sandals.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in black-and-gold Jimmy Choo sandals (Credit: WENN)
11. Thandiwe Newton in Crystal-Embellished Platform Wedges
Thandie kept things simple at Cinema for Peace Foundation’s Gala for Humanity, opting for a black crystal-embellished shift dress.
Thandiwe Newton wears a black shift dress to the Cinema for Peace Foundation’s Gala for Humanity held on January 11, 2013, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: WENN)
She paired the dress with a similar pair of crystal-embellished platform wedge heels.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in crystal-embellished black suede platform wedge heels (Credit: WENN)
12. Thandiwe Newton in Black Sandals with Gold Trim
Thandie curled her dark hair and wore a floor-length black lace dress for an appearance at the 2013 EE British Academy Film Awards in London.
Thandiwe Newton wears a black lace gown to the 2013 EE British Academy Film Awards held on February 10, 2013, at the Royal Opera House in London (Credit: WENN)
She styled the black lace dress with a pair of thick-strapped black sandals that featured gold trim.
Thandiwe Newton’s feet in gold-trimmed strappy black sandals (Credit: WENN)
So, there you have it. A dozen of Thandie’s public appearances and the shoes to match. Which pair of shoes do you like best? And which ensemble?
We’re looking forward to seeing more of this British beauty’s looks — and shoes — in the coming months as she gears up for more red carpet events.