From Cannes to the Oscars: 17 Stars Who Proved Flats Are the Ultimate Power Move

High-profile events have historically been synonymous with stilettos, but a specific incident at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival in France changed public perception of formal dress codes.

That year, reports emerged that several women were barred from the Carol premiere for wearing flat shoes, sparking a global debate about the necessity of heels in high-fashion environments.

While the “heel requirement” was once an unspoken—and sometimes strictly enforced—industry standard, the decade following that incident saw a steady rejection of the rule. For many actors and stylists, the choice to wear flats is no longer just about medical necessity or physical comfort; it is an aesthetic decision that challenges traditional ideas of evening wear.

The following examples highlight 17 instances where celebrities successfully integrated flat footwear into major red-carpet appearances, demonstrating that formal elegance does not depend on height.

Gal Gadot Rewrites Red-Carpet Rules in $50 Aldo Gladiator Flats

Partially due to a back injury, but also to stay more comfortable, Gal Gadot rocked a pair of budget-friendly $50 Aldo “Starda” gladiator sandals to the Wonder Woman premiere held at The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

Gal Gadot balanced red-carpet drama with practicality at the Wonder Woman premiere, pairing her shimmering red gown with gladiator flats that prioritized comfort without sacrificing impact in Hollywood on May 25, 2017 (Credit: WENN)

Uma Thurman’s Cannes Defiance: Couture Gown, Jimmy Choo Flat Sandals

Uma Thurman floated down the 2011 Cannes Film Festival red carpet in a Chanel Fall 2008 couture cap-sleeve gown paired with Jimmy Choo ‘Fiona’ flat sandals.

Uma Thurman glided up the Cannes red carpet in a Chanel Fall 2008 couture gown, pairing the ethereal silhouette with understated Jimmy Choo “Fiona” flat sandals for effortless, rule-breaking elegance on May 14, 2011

Proving that comfort is a top priority, Uma repeated the gown-and-flats ensemble later that same week at the prestigious amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala.

Uma Thurman kept things effortlessly elegant at the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala, styling her flowing couture gown with delicate flat sandals that underscored Cannes’ quiet rebellion against heels on May 19, 2011

Emma Watson Champions Comfort in Slip-On Flats at the Golden Globes

Fashion critics did not like the satin gown by Ronald van der Kemp that Emma Watson wore at the 2018 Golden Globes, which she accessorized with Lilian von Trapp jewelry and Creatures of Comfort slip-on style flats with a wraparound tie.

Emma Watson wearing a custom Ronald van der Kemp gown

Susan Sarandon, Rosa Clemente, Marai Larasi, and Emma Watson at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Party held after the 2018 Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2018

Cate Blanchett Elevates Eveningwear With Jimmy Choo Flat Sandals

Always queenly, Cate Blanchett stunned in a white Chloé tiered ruffle gown and Jimmy Choo “Doodle” sandals at the 2014 Crystal + Lucy Awards.

Cate Blanchett brought modern grace to the Crystal + Lucy Awards, pairing her airy white gown with minimalist flat sandals that emphasized elegance over elevation on June 11, 2014

Kristen Stewart Proves Flats Belong at the Oscars in Ballet Shoes

If you think only tall celebrities can get away with wearing flats, 5’5″ Kristen Stewart disproved that. Crutches and a foot injury didn’t stop Kristen from looking fabulous in a Reem Acra Couture strapless gown and Bloch “Fonteyn” ballet flats at the 2013 Oscars.

Kristen Stewart turned an Oscars obstacle into a statement, pairing her Reem Acra couture gown with ballet flats while confidently navigating the red carpet on crutches on February 24, 2013

Lana Del Rey Adds Soft Glamour With Nude Glitter Flats

Lana Del Rey was a beauty in a blue-and-silver Giorgio Armani Spring 2012 double-face silk gown and nude glitter flats at the 2012 Echo Awards.

Lana Del Rey softened her metallic Echo Awards look with nude glitter flats, letting the ethereal sheen of her gown and understated footwear carry the moment in Berlin, Germany, on March 22, 2012

Elle Macpherson’s Boho Red-Carpet Moment in Gold T-Strap Flats

Elle Macpherson let her natural boho style peek through in her green-and-gold Roberto Cavalli one-shoulder gown and Jimmy Choo gold-beaded t-strap flats.

Elle Macpherson leaned into bohemian glamour at the Women’s World Awards, pairing her flowing green Roberto Cavalli gown with gold-beaded T-strap flats for an effortlessly relaxed red-carpet finish in Vienna, Austria, on March 5, 2009

Abbie Cornish Brings Laid-Back Edge to the Red Carpet in Aldo Flats

Abbie Cornish gave her red Giulietta Spring 2012 dress a splash of laidback Australian vibe with Aldo “Kaprisha” flats. The actress also wore shoes from the Canadian label with a red Hervé L. Leroux dress at Comic-Con 2013.

Abbie Cornish added a laid-back twist to her bold red Giulietta gown at TIFF, grounding the sleek silhouette with effortless Aldo flats in Toronto, Canada, on September 7, 2012

Bianca Balti Walks Cannes in Silver Gladiator Flats

Another celebrity to walk the Cannes’ red carpet in flats, Italian model Bianca Balti showed off some of her professional poses in a navy Chanel spring 2012 Couture jewel-embellished dress and silver gladiator sandals.

Bianca Balti brought effortless Cannes glamour to the red carpet, finishing her sheer navy couture gown with silver gladiator flats that balanced drama with ease in Cannes, France, on May 23, 2014

Emma Thompson’s Famous Heel Rebellion: Louboutin Glitter Flats

Emma Thompson famously threw her Louboutin heels over her shoulder and wore flats to her next red carpet event.

Opting for Christian Louboutin’s “Toboggan” gold glitter flats, the British actress happily and comfortably walked the red carpet at the 2014 SAG Awards.

Emma Thompson embraced red-carpet rebellion at the SAG Awards, completing her black gown with gold glitter flats that prioritized confidence and comfort over heels on January 19, 2014

Nicole Kidman Embraces Minimalism With Flat Thong Sandals

Nicole Kidman channeled the complete opposite of her witchy role in a floaty, white Yves Saint Laurent dress and gold thong sandals at the ‘Bewitched’ premiere.

Nicole Kidman leaned into ethereal minimalism at the Bewitched premiere, pairing her flowing Yves Saint Laurent dress with simple flat thong sandals for understated red-carpet ease in New York City on June 21, 2005

Carole Bouquet Defines French Elegance in T-Strap Flats at Cannes

Carole Bouquet embodied French sophistication in a forest green Prada dress and t-strap sandals at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

Carole Bouquet embodied effortless French elegance at Cannes, grounding her dramatic tulle gown with refined T-strap flat sandals on the red carpet on May 19, 2014

Gwendoline Christie Commands the Red Carpet in Roger Vivier Flats

Gwendoline Christie embraced every inch of her 6’3″ height in a majestic Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2015 couture cape paired with black trousers and black Roger Vivier buckle flats.

Gwendoline Christie commanded the red carpet at the Game of Thrones season 5 premiere, pairing her dramatic Jean Paul Gaultier cape ensemble with sleek Roger Vivier flats that underscored confidence over convention in London, England, on March 18, 2015

Alexa Chung Skips Heels in Jeweled Manolo Blahnik Flats at the Met Gala

Alexa Chung stuck to the oriental theme of the 2015 Met Gala in an Erdem strapless embroidered gown but bucked the stiletto trend in low-heeled Manolo Blahnik “Okkato” jeweled shoes.

Alexa Chung skipped towering heels at the Met Gala, grounding her Erdem embroidered gown with jeweled Manolo Blahnik flats that subtly defied red-carpet convention on May 4, 2015

Inès de La Fressange: Cannes’ Ultimate Flats Icon

When we think of a celebrity who should really prove to the Cannes Film Festival that women should be allowed to wear flats, we think of Inès de La Fressange.

The French aristocrat has been wearing nothing but flats to the festival for years and has killed the fashion game each and every single time.

Inès de La Fressange stayed true to her Cannes signature, pairing elegant evening gowns with flat sandals on consecutive red carpets to prove timeless style needs no heel height

Inès de La Fressange effortlessly championed flats at Cannes, styling vibrant pink gowns with flat sandals across multiple festival appearances to reinforce her signature heel-free elegance

Inès de La Fressange reinforced her Cannes flats manifesto, pairing sweeping white and red evening gowns with elegant flat sandals that let confidence—not heel height—lead the look

Charlize Theron’s Grecian Moment in Elegant T-Strap Flats

Charlize Theron was a goddess in a white Grecian drapery gown and black t-strap flat sandals at the opening of the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai.

Charlize Theron channeled Grecian elegance in a flowing white gown, finishing the look with simple flat sandals that kept the focus on fluid movement and understated glamour in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on November 20, 2008

Karlie Kloss Makes Flats Festival-Ready in Chanel and Valentino

Karlie Kloss graced the opening ceremony of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival in a maroon Valentino Spring 2014 sheer-lace gown and Valentino t-strap flats.

For that festival season’s amfAR gala, Karlie once again donned Chanel flats with a navy Chanel Fall 2011 couture pearl-beaded gown.

Karlie Kloss opened the Cannes Film Festival in dramatic lace couture, grounding the sheer, floor-length gown with flat sandals that brought effortless ease to the high-glamour moment on May 14, 2014

Karlie Kloss embraced relaxed Cannes elegance at the amfAR gala, pairing her intricately embellished navy gown with flat sandals that underscored modern red-carpet confidence on May 22, 2014

Flats on the Red Carpet: A Shift That’s Redefining Modern Glamour

From Cannes to the Golden Globes, the red carpet has evolved far beyond rigid dress codes and towering heels.

As these celebrity moments prove, flat shoes are no longer a compromise—they’re a confident styling choice that reflects comfort, individuality, and modern elegance.

For more examples of how stars continue to challenge footwear conventions, explore these standout shoe and fashion moments curated by Best Quality Luxury Shoes Online Store.