Lydia Hearst & Hilarie Burton Wore the Same Sophia Webster Sandals: Who Wore Them Better?

At The Walking Dead Season 10 premiere and party in West Hollywood, California, on September 23, 2019, Lydia Hearst and Hilarie Burton arrived in very different outfits but chose the same footwear: silver Sophia Webster “Rosalind Gem” sandals.

The matching shoes make an especially interesting side-by-side comparison. Hearst, who has described herself as around 5’6″ to 5’7″ and is generally listed as a US size 9, wore the crystal-covered stilettos with rich mustard satin and velvet. Burton, approximately 5’7½” with a reported US size 8 shoe, paired hers with an airy white evening look.

Both wore the embellished version of Sophia Webster’s signature “Rosalind” sandal, recognizable for its barely-there straps and distinctive heel formed from stacked, jewel-like spheres. The “Rosalind Gem” variation adds crystals to the slender straps, giving the otherwise minimal silhouette considerably more sparkle.

Lydia Hearst Pairs Silver Rosalind Gem Sandals With Mustard Satin

The model and actress styled her Sophia Webster sandals with a mustard-colored Michelle Mason ensemble consisting of a wrap-front cami bodysuit, high-waisted sash-belted trousers, and a striped velvet robe.

Lydia Hearst wears a mustard-satin Michelle Mason outfit with silver Sophia Webster “Rosalind Gem” sandals at The Walking Dead Season 10 premiere and party in West Hollywood, California, on September 23, 2019 (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Avalon)

The warm satin and velvet textures contrasted sharply with the cool silver footwear, while the sandal’s thin straps kept the look from feeling too heavy.

Hearst kept the rest of her accessories relatively restrained, adding Dean Davidson hoop earrings, a Brooke Gregson necklace, and a metallic Jimmy Choo evening clutch.

Her choice of shimmering statement footwear was not unusual for her red-carpet wardrobe. In 2017, Hearst paired metallic Giuseppe Zanotti “Tania” mules with a Self-Portrait jumpsuit, while an earlier appearance saw her wearing black croc-embossed Alexander Wang “Clara” sandals. The Rosalind Gem sits comfortably between those two approaches, combining a minimal upper with a much more decorative heel.

A closer look at Lydia Hearst’s silver Sophia Webster “Rosalind Gem” sandals, featuring crystal-covered straps and a stacked-bead stiletto heel

At roughly 5’6″ (167.6 cm), Hearst has said that her proportions can make her appear taller in photographs. With a reported US size 9 shoe, the narrow straps leave much of the foot exposed, while the high stiletto and vertical line of the heel add to the elongated effect.

Hilarie Burton Styles the Same Sophia Webster Sandals With White

Hilarie Burton chose the exact same silver Rosalind Gem sandals while supporting her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, at the premiere.

The One Tree Hill actress wore a Carol Hannah white satin camisole tucked into a voluminous feathered and sequined skirt, creating a softer, more monochromatic backdrop for the crystal-covered footwear.

Hilarie Burton supports Jeffrey Dean Morgan in a white Carol Hannah look styled with silver Sophia Webster “Rosalind Gem” sandals (Credit: FayesVision / WENN / Avalon)

Burton, who stands about 5’7½” (171.5 cm) and reportedly wears a US size 8 shoe, is slightly taller than Hearst. Against her predominantly white outfit, the silver crystal straps and stacked-bead heels worked less as a contrasting accent and more as an extension of the look’s light-reflecting textures.

She also kept her jewelry relatively understated, allowing the feathered skirt and embellished sandals to provide most of the visual detail.

A close-up of Hilarie Burton’s feet and natural pale-pink pedicure in silver Sophia Webster “Rosalind Gem” sandals, featuring crystal-embellished transparent straps and slender stiletto heels

What Makes Sophia Webster’s Rosalind Gem Sandals So Distinctive?

The Sophia Webster “Rosalind” is one of the British designer’s most recognizable sandal silhouettes. Its defining feature is a narrow stiletto heel constructed from stacked metallic or crystal-like spheres, giving the heel the appearance of suspended beads.

The “Rosalind Gem” version worn by Hearst and Burton adds crystal embellishment to the slim toe and instep straps, carrying the sparkle from the upper through to the heel.

Various versions of the Rosalind have been produced in different heel heights and finishes over the years, but the combination of barely-there straps and a stacked-bead heel remains the design’s signature.

Sophia Webster “Rosalind Gem” sandal featuring crystal-embellished transparent straps, metallic silver detailing, and the design’s signature sculptural stiletto heel

Hearst and Burton are far from the only celebrities drawn to Rosalind’s distinctive jeweled heel. From black crystal versions with cocktail dresses to silver pairs styled with feathers, sequins, and full-length gowns, the design has appeared in markedly different red-carpet looks.