Standing 5 feet 8 inches (172.7 cm) tall and reportedly wearing a US women’s shoe size 9.5, Julia Roberts is one of Hollywood’s taller leading ladies. Her height has also made her footwear particularly noticeable on the red carpet, where she has worn everything from streamlined sandals and classic pumps to towering platforms by Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Stuart Weitzman, Christian Louboutin, and other designer labels.
Roberts’ height has attracted attention since early in her career. After Mystic Pizza, she recalled people assuming she was six feet tall, though she has identified herself as 5-foot-8. That puts her below Nicole Kidman at 5 feet 10.5 inches (179.1 cm) and Gal Gadot at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), but slightly above Anne Hathaway at 5 feet 7 inches (170.2 cm).
Julia Roberts towers over Myha’la Herrold, with her 5’8″ height amplified by sparkling silver heels, highlighting a noticeable height difference on the red carpet (Credit: Steve Vas / Future Image / Cover Images)
Her proportions were already part of her screen presence in Pretty Woman. Roberts was 21 when she was cast as Vivian Ward, and the film opened on March 23, 1990, a few months before she turned 23.
Co-star Richard Gere was around 5 feet 10 inches (177.8 cm) at the time. The role became one of Roberts’ defining performances—and an early example of how prominently fashion and footwear would figure in her public image.
Julia Roberts stuns in a black Alexander McQueen gown with heart and hope embroidery, while George Clooney complements her with a sleek navy suit, and Amal Clooney dazzles in a shimmering white beaded gown on September 7, 2022, in London, England (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Julia Roberts’ Height: Debunking the Myths
Many fans assume Julia Roberts is taller than 5-foot-8. In a 1990 Los Angeles Times interview, she recalled people telling her after Mystic Pizza that they thought she was 6 feet tall. “But I am 5-8,” she said, adding that she had always wanted to be 6 feet.
Roberts reportedly wears a US women’s shoe size 9.5, approximately a 40.5 EU, 7.5 UK, and 26 Japan.
Julia Roberts goes monochrome in a custom hot-pink Elie Saab one-shoulder gown with matching minimalist Stuart Weitzman ankle-strap stiletto sandals for a surprise appearance at the 91st Academy Awards in Los Angeles on February 24, 2019 (Credit: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.)
While her height is above average, Julia Roberts is known for enhancing her stature with designer heels. She has been featured on Best Quality Luxury Shoes Online Store in footwear from luxury brands such as Jimmy Choo, Jacquemus, Giuseppe Zanotti, Sophia Webster, Gucci, and Christian Louboutin.
Julia Roberts’ Designer Shoes: Her Standout Red Carpet Footwear
Roberts often uses heels to sharpen her red-carpet looks and meet formal dress codes, pairing stilettos, platform sandals, and polished pumps with gowns and tailored suits.
But she has also pushed back against the expectation that women should always wear uncomfortable heels: at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, she famously walked part of the red carpet barefoot, reinforcing her preference for comfort and personal choice when strict footwear rules get in the way.
👠 Explore Julia Roberts’ Best Shoe Fashion Moments:
- ✨ Her sparkling Gucci pumps at the Leave the World Behind London screening added cascading silver beading to a powder-pink Gucci blazer-and-shorts look.
- 🖤 Julia Roberts’ Jacquemus “Les Slingbacks Cubito Hautes” brought a sculptural finish to her black coat dress and sheer tights at the label’s Les Sculptures fashion show.
- 🏆 Her Alexandre Birman “Willow” sandals at the 2019 Golden Globes complemented a Stella McCartney trouser-and-gown hybrid, with gold toe rings adding an unexpected jewelry detail.
- 👢 Sophia Webster “Felicity” ankle boots gave her green Salvatore Ferragamo suit a playful twist, thanks to their multicolored metallic block heels.
- 👠 Christian Louboutin “Vendome” platform pumps grounded her embellished Elie Saab couture dress in matching midnight blue at the 2014 Emmy Awards.
- 🤵 Her Louis Vuitton pumps and Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals show two sides of her signature tailoring, from a sharply embroidered tuxedo to a Givenchy lace mini layered beneath a black jacket.
- 🎬 Jimmy Choo and Givenchy heels accompanied her back-to-back Toronto premieres for Ben Is Back and Homecoming in 2018.
One of Roberts’ more memorable shoe-and-dress pairings came at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, where she offset a vivid red Dolce Gabbana mini with towering nude Gucci platforms.
Flashback Spotlight: Julia Roberts in Gucci “Lisbeth” Platforms (2013)
Julia Roberts let the vibrant red dress take center stage, and her simple pulled-back hairstyle complemented the elegant look (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)
Julia Roberts left behind her neutral-colored outfits in the wardrobe. She pulled out a beautiful red dress from Dolce Gabbana for a glamorous look at the premiere of August: Osage County during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.
Julia Roberts stuns in a red lace mini dress paired with nude platform heels at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2013 (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)
Julia Roberts paired her red Dolce Gabbana lace mini dress with nude Gucci “Lisbeth” platform pumps, keeping the focus on the vivid color of the dress. The skin-toned patent leather heels created a leg-lengthening effect, while their substantial platforms and 5-inch-plus heels added even more height to her 5-foot-8 frame.
Julia Roberts rocks sleek and glossy patent leather peep-toe pumps (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)
Julia’s glossy nude patent leather pumps added a structured counterpoint to the red lace mini dress. Her Gucci “Lisbeth” Mary Jane pumps featured three buckled straps, a peep-toe, an approximately 1-inch platform, and a towering 5.3-inch heel.
Julia Roberts shows off her feet in Gucci “Lisbeth” pumps in nude patent leather (Credit: Dominic Chan / WENN)
While these Gucci “Lisbeth” pumps were also available in black patent, black suede, and antique rose suede, the nude version was perfect for Julia’s red dress.
During New York Fashion Week, Jada Pinkett-Smith was spotted wearing the black version at the Marchesa Autumn/Winter 2013 show.
Jada Pinkett Smith pairs a sleek strapless black midi dress with Gucci “Lisbeth” triple-strap Mary Jane pumps during New York Fashion Week on February 13, 2013 (Credit: David Bodrick / DMBJ / WENN)
Close-up of glossy black patent leather peep-toe platform pumps featuring three slim Mary Jane straps, towering stiletto heels, and contrasting pale-pink soles (Credit: Pop / WENN)