Lana Del Rey’s $595 Mall Dress & $980 Gucci Sandals: How Her Grammys Look Proves the Power of Knotted Heels

Lana Del Rey created one of the most memorable high-low fashion moments of the 2020 Grammy Awards by pairing a $595 gown she found at the mall with $980 metallic Gucci sandals.

At the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020, the singer arrived with then-boyfriend Sean “Sticks” Larkin wearing a silver Aidan Mattox gown covered in shimmering beadwork.

The dress was a last-minute discovery, but her Gucci leather knotted metallic sandals gave the look its luxury finish with slender crisscross straps, a knotted open toe, and a slim high heel.

Lana Del Rey and then-boyfriend Sean “Sticks” Larkin attend the 2020 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Lana Del Rey’s $595 Aidan Mattox Gown Was a Last-Minute Mall Find

Her off-the-rack Aidan Mattox evening gown featured all-over silver beadwork, short sleeves, a keyhole neckline, and beaded fringe along the hem. The dress retailed for $595.

Lana Del Rey wears a silver Aidan Mattox gown with all-over beadwork, a keyhole neckline, and beaded fringe at the 2020 Grammy Awards

The story behind the dress made the look even more unusual for a major awards show. Del Rey said she spotted it while shopping at the Beverly Center for a belt for Larkin and had it altered at the mall.

“I had another dress and then my boyfriend and I were getting a belt for him at the mall and I saw this and I loved it, so this is a last-minute dress,” Lana told ET about her gown.

“I tailored it right there [gesturing to her sides]… So, you know, a little mix and match. … We’re making it all work.”

Del Rey was nominated for two of the night’s major awards: Album of the Year for Norman F—king Rockwell! and Song of the Year for its title track.

Lana Del Rey shows how her metallic Gucci knotted sandals echo the silver beadwork of her $595 Aidan Mattox gown alongside Sean “Sticks” Larkin at the 2020 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles

The Grammys appearance came during Del Rey’s brief relationship with Larkin. They were first photographed together in September 2019 and made their red-carpet debut at a pre-Grammys gala in January 2020. Their relationship lasted about six months, and by March 2020 they had separated.

Lana Del Rey Finishes Her Mall-Bought Gown With $980 Gucci Sandals

The most luxurious part of Del Rey’s otherwise unexpectedly accessible Grammys look was on her feet. She wore Gucci’s leather knotted metallic sandals, which retailed for about $980.

Lana Del Rey shows off a pale metallic pedicure in Gucci’s silver knotted sandals, coordinating her toes with the shimmering beadwork of her Aidan Mattox Grammys gown

Crafted in metallic lambskin leather, the open-toe sandals feature slender straps crossing over the foot, a distinctive knotted detail at the toe, an adjustable ankle strap, and a thin high heel. Their champagne-silver finish picked up the beadwork of the Aidan Mattox gown while keeping the focus on its dense embellishment.

The sandals also fit neatly into Del Rey’s longer history with Gucci. Two years earlier, she attended the 2018 Grammy Awards in a custom Gucci gown and towering silver Gucci platform sandals. That earlier footwear was considerably more dramatic, while the slimmer metallic sandals she chose in 2020 quietly continued the silver palette of her dress.

Her footwear choices extend well beyond Gucci. Standing around 5′6″ (167.6 cm), Del Rey has worn everything from neutral Salvatore Ferragamo wedges to Mary Jane heels and embellished evening sandals; our guide to Lana Del Rey’s height, shoe size, and favorite heels looks at more of her footwear over the years.

Gucci’s silver metallic leather sandals feature knotted multi-strap detailing, open toes, slim ankle straps, and high stiletto heels

For more ways celebrities wear silver, gold, and other reflective finishes, see our guide to styling metallic shoes and memorable celebrity metallic heel moments.

Why Knotted Sandals Work From Everyday Dressing to the Red Carpet

Lana Del Rey’s metallic Gucci heels show how a simple knot can change a sandal’s look and structure. Knotted styles use tied, twisted, or interlocked straps across the toes, vamp, or ankle, adding texture while helping secure the foot. The idea translates easily from flat summer slides to slender evening stilettos.

A center knot creates a focal point over the toes or vamp, while crisscrossed straps can spread the hold across more of the foot. Contemporary versions also include oversized knots made from padded or tubular leather, as well as lace-up designs tied with cords, ribbons, or rope around the ankle.

Fit depends heavily on where the knot sits and how much the material gives. A fixed knot over a prominent toe joint can create pressure, particularly in rigid leather, while softer lambskin, padded Nappa, and adjustable ties tend to be more forgiving. Interlocking and crisscrossed straps can also help limit forward movement in a high heel, though the sandal’s individual fit remains important.

For evening wear, metallic and satin finishes emphasize the construction because light catches the folds and twists of the straps. Del Rey’s silver Gucci pair is a good example: the knotted leather adds dimension at the toes while the metallic finish connects the shoes visually to her heavily beaded gown.