Charlize Theron’s Stylish Film Debut in That Thing You Do!: A Look at Her Early Screen Style

While Charlize Theron’s role in That Thing You Do! highlighted her early days in Hollywood, her journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable. Beyond her impressive acting career, she has become a global style icon known for blending sophistication with everyday practicality.

Whether she’s gracing the red carpet or running errands, Charlize continues to captivate with her impeccable fashion sense. Let’s take a closer look at her signature style and how she makes even the simplest outings a masterclass in chic.

Charlize Theron’s Effortless Style: How to Look Chic Even When Running Errands

You can’t help but be a little envious of Charlize Theron. At 5 feet 9 ¾ inches (177.2 cm) and wearing a US shoe size of 9.5, the statuesque South African actress towers over many of her peers.

Charlize Theron keeps it low-key in an off-the-shoulder gray top, casual navy trousers, and a studded beige handbag while leaving a Lakers game with her mother, Gerda, in Los Angeles (Credit: LIFE / WENN / DJDM / Judy Eddy)

Take, for instance, when the Snow White and the Huntsman actress was spotted arriving at Staples Center with her mother to watch the Lakers vs. Spurs game.

Charlize Theron was born in Benoni, South Africa, in 1975. Her mother, Gerda, was a model and a flight attendant. Her father, Charles, was an alcoholic and abusive towards Charlize and her mother.

When Charlize was 15 years old, her mother shot and killed her father in self-defense. Following her father’s death, Charlize and her mother relocated to Los Angeles. Charlize began modeling at 16, and she soon became a successful actress.

Charlize is very close to her mother, and they have a strong bond. Gerta has been a constant source of support for Charlize throughout her career and is one of her closest friends.

Charlize Theron and her mother, Gerta, arriving at the Staples Center for the Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs game in Los Angeles on April 17, 2012 (Credit: LIFE / WENN / DJDM / Judy Eddy)

Charlize layered a tee over a tank for the casual affair, paired it with dark denim, and capped off the look with black sandal booties. See? It’s so natural for her.

Of course, because this is Your Next Shoes, we’re also here to talk about those fierce-looking “Ultime” cage sandals from Christian Dior on her feet.

Charlize Theron’s First Film Role: A Stylish Debut in That Thing You Do!

Charlize Theron, now an Oscar-winning actress and global fashion icon, was just 21 when she appeared in That Thing You Do!—a 1996 music-driven comedy directed by Tom Hanks in his directorial debut.

Theron played Tina Powers, the stylish and supportive girlfriend of rising band frontman Jimmy Mattingly (Johnathon Schaech). While it was a small role, her poised screen presence hinted at the star power—and fashion influence—that would later define her career.

Charlize Theron portrayed Tina Powers, Jimmy Mattingly’s stylish and supportive girlfriend, in the 1996 comedy-drama That Thing You Do! (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

As the first actress cast in the film, Theron joined a vibrant ensemble that included Liv Tyler, Tom Everett Scott, and Steve Zahn. The film chronicled the rise of a fictional one-hit-wonder band, The Wonders, and charmed audiences with its nostalgic look at 1960s pop culture.

Though the focus was music, Theron’s role offered a glimpse of her evolving style—from retro-glam screen siren to modern red-carpet standout.

Her off-duty looks aren’t her only fashion wins. Just days after the Lakers’ game appearance, Charlize turned heads again—this time on the red carpet.

Charlize Theron Channels Lindsay Lohan in Sexy Halter Dress

Charlize Theron’s poise and sophistication effortlessly pulled off the dress’s panel illusions, adding the perfect amount of sass to the classic little black dress (LBD) that kept everyone captivated

A few days later, she donned a black Dion Lee Fall 2012 dress and Giuseppe Zanotti black strappy sandals.

Charlize Theron stuns in a sculpting Dion Lee Fall 2012 illusion dress and minimalist black ankle-strap sandals at the CinemaCon 2012 Big Screen Achievement Awards, held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on April 26, 2012 (Credit: LIFE / WENN / DJDM / Judy Eddy)

The dress features sexy illusion panels, and incidentally, Lindsay Lohan wore the same dress for an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Charlize Theron highlights her koi fish ankle tattoo while wearing minimalist black suede Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, featuring delicate ankle straps and stiletto heels that add understated elegance to her look

Charlize Theron Highlights Her Tattoos in Giuseppe Zanotti Sandals

Charlize Theron has two known tattoos on her foot and leg: a koi fish on her ankle and a blue floral tattoo on her right foot. The koi fish tattoo symbolizes strength, perseverance, and good luck.

Charlize Theron reveals her blue floral foot tattoo and natural pedicure in open-toe Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, which perfectly complement her US shoe size 9.5 and elegant red carpet presence

Charlize’s style evolution has been marked by bold choices on the red carpet, and one standout moment came during the promotional tour for The Burning Plain.

Charlize Theron Stuns in Gold Metallic Lanvin Dress at The Burning Plain Premiere

As a bonus, we want to share a hot pair of shoes Charlize was spotted wearing back in 2009.

Charlize Theron stuns in a gold metallic Lanvin dress at the premiere of the movie ‘The Burning Plain’ held at the Cinema Publicus in Paris on March 2, 2009 (Credit: LIFE / WENN / DJDM / Judy Eddy)

She paired a gold metallic Lanvin Pre-Fall 2009 dress with leather Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2009 pumps. Don’t you love her steel heels?

Charlize Theron showcases her sculpted legs and bold style in black Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2009 pumps, featuring dramatic red metallic stiletto heels and intricate stitched detailing (Credit: LIFE / WENN / DJDM / Judy Eddy)

Which of the outfits featured do you like the most?