Thong Kitten Heels to Mary Janes: How the Mormon Wives Cast Styled Milan in Wearable Summer Shoes

Jessi Draper, Layla Taylor, Miranda Hope, and Kate Racker turned a day of filming The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in Milan into a showcase of four very different approaches to summer footwear on September 1, 2026.

Jessi Draper, Layla Taylor, Miranda Hope, and Kate Racker showcase four different takes on summer footwear while filming Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in downtown Milan on September 1, 2026, wearing thong kitten heels, Mary Jane flats, flip-flops, and bow-detailed slingback pumps, respectively (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

While shopping in the Italian fashion capital, the Hulu cast members wore everything from minimalist thong kitten heels and Mary Jane flats to simple flip-flops and burgundy Zara slingback pumps.

Their outfits were just as varied: Draper chose a polka-dot L’Academie set, Taylor leaned into balletcore with a ruffled yellow skort, Miranda Hope wore a wide-leg Free People denim jumpsuit, and Racker took the dressier route in houndstooth tailoring.

What makes the group particularly interesting from a shoe perspective is how wearable the choices are. Rather than towering platforms or statement stilettos, all four women relied on flats or relatively low heels—silhouettes that also reflect several of 2026’s most visible footwear trends.

The cast has delivered more glamorous shoe moments away from Milan, too: fellow Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul wore crystal-embellished Versace “Opera” mules for her 2026 Oscars debut.

Jessi Draper Pairs a Polka-Dot L’Academie Set With Thong Kitten Heels

Jessi Draper embraced a ’90s European summer vibe in a brown-and-ivory polka-dot set paired with simple thong-style sandals. The shoes were minimal but still chic, with slim thong straps and short kitten heels that added a dressier finish to the laid-back style.

The silhouette has also emerged repeatedly in 2026 celebrity footwear: Naomi Scott wore similarly minimalist thong-style kitten heels in New York, while Katie Holmes dressed up the Y2K-inspired thong sandal with Herbert Levine’s heeled “Kiss and Tell” design at the American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala.

Jessi’s understated pair worked especially well with her playful two-piece outfit, keeping the look relaxed enough for a day of shopping in Milan.

Jessi Draper’s glossy pink-red pedicure adds a pop of color to her minimalist black thong-style kitten-heel sandals (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Draper paired the sandals with L’Academie’s brown-and-ivory polka-dot ensemble. The set included the “Polina” cropped top ($169 at FWRD), featuring a structured halter neckline and a wide, straight bodice with subtle ruching and pleating. Its cropped hem hit right at her waist, showing a sliver of midriff and keeping the look light and summery.

She completed the outfit with matching lightweight twill shorts ($169 at FWRD), which sat high on the waist and featured a zip fly with button-and-hook closures. The flared A-line shape gave them the playful look of a mini skirt while still keeping the practicality of shorts, complete with two side-seam pockets.

Draper kept the rest of her styling simple, layering two delicate gold Louis Vuitton necklaces. She wore her long hair loose and straight with a natural, relaxed finish, letting the coordinated set and summery sandals do most of the talking.

Jessi Draper holds hands with Marciano Brunette while shopping in Milan, wearing a brown-and-ivory polka-dot L’Academie set with black thong-style kitten heels (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Layla Taylor Goes Balletcore in White Mary Jane Flats and a Yellow Ruffled Skort

Layla Taylor embraced a modern balletcore look in a white-and-pastel-yellow ensemble. The aesthetic remains relevant in 2026 footwear trends, with ballet-inspired shoes continuing to evolve through Mary Janes, ballerinas, and sporty sneakerinas. I loved how feminine and fresh the combination looked, especially with the delicate ballet flats.

She chose off-white leather Mary Jane flats with a clean, minimalist design, featuring a single buckled strap across the foot and softly rounded almond-shaped toes.

Similar ballet-inspired flats have appeared throughout celebrity style in 2026: Emma Roberts wore metallic Longchamp Mary Jane ballet flats in New York, while Shailene Woodley stepped out in raffia Mary Janes while filming Count My Lies in Brooklyn.

Layla’s understated leather pair offered a more minimalist take on the same flat, strap-across-the-foot silhouette, making them a practical choice for walking around Milan without sacrificing the polished feel of her outfit.

Layla Taylor embraces balletcore in her minimalist off-white Mary Jane ballet flats featuring a buckled strap across the foot and softly rounded almond-shaped toes (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Taylor paired the ballet flats with a white boatneck top that skimmed her figure, featuring a tightly ruched waist and loose, fluttering dolman sleeves that kept it light and airy. She tucked it into a pastel lemon-yellow mini skort with a wide, structured waistband and layers of lightweight chiffon ruffles cascading around the thighs. The soft ruffles gave the skort a playful, tutu-like effect while adding movement.

Layla Taylor finished the outfit with stud earrings, layered bracelets, and a few rings for a subtle touch of sparkle. A hot-pink bag added a fun pop of color against the soft white-and-yellow palette, making the delicate look a little more playful.

Layla Taylor keeps things feminine, pairing her Mary Jane flat shoes with a pastel lemon-yellow tiered mini skort and a white boatneck top with dolman sleeves (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Miranda Hope Keeps It Casual in Flip-Flops and a Free People Denim Jumpsuit

Miranda Hope went for a relaxed summer look that was perfect for strolling through the streets of Milan.

She kept things simple with black flip-flops, letting the casual footwear reinforce the easy feel of her Free People denim jumpsuit. It’s a styling combination we’ve seen before on YNS: Padma Lakshmi similarly dressed down Stella McCartney denim overalls with gold flip-flops while out in New York.

Miranda’s black pair was even more understated, complementing the jumpsuit without competing with its plunging neckline and wide-leg silhouette.

Miranda Hope goes for laid-back summer style with simple black flip-flops, showcasing her French pedicure and toe rings (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

She paired the flip-flops with the Free People “Sunrays” denim jumpsuit, featuring a plunging V-neckline and a heavily smocked, elasticized waist that defined her figure before opening into relaxed, wide-leg pants.

The denim fabric and loose silhouette gave it that casual, vintage feel, while the daring open back added a more feminine touch. The back was secured with a halter strap tied into a bow, along with a slimmer strap across the lower back.

Hope doubled down on the denim with a matching denim shoulder bag, then added multiple rings, a hand chain, a bracelet, and layered pendant necklaces for extra detail. She tied back her blonde hair in a relaxed style, while slim black sunglasses finished the outfit with a retro-cool touch.

Miranda Hope pairs her flip-flops with the Free People “Sunrays” denim jumpsuit featuring a plunging neckline, a smocked waist, and wide legs (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Kate Racker Sharpens Houndstooth Tailoring With Burgundy Zara Slingback Pumps

Kate Racker embraced Italian corporate chic with a more tailored look than her castmates, and her shoes followed suit.

She opted for burgundy Zara pumps that looked polished enough for the office but still worked for a day out in Milan. I loved how the rich color broke up her neutral outfit!

The pumps had a faux-patent finish for a sleek, polished look, along with pointed toes and slim slingback straps that kept the shape sharp and streamlined. A structural bow at the vamp added a feminine detail, while the 2.5-inch block heels gave her a little extra height.

Kate Racker nails corporate chic in burgundy Zara slingback pumps featuring a structured bow at the vamp, slim slingback straps, and short block heels (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

Racker paired the pumps with a structured two-piece set in a gray-and-white houndstooth micro-check pattern. The sleeveless cropped vest featured a double-breasted front with rows of gold buttons, giving it a polished, vintage tailoring feel. Matching high-waisted culotte trousers had front pleats and a relaxed, wide-leg cut that stopped just above her ankles, showing off her pumps.

Kate then added a thin black leather belt with a gold-tone oval buckle to define the waist and tie in the darker accessories. Oversized, thick-frame sunglasses gave her outfit a cool Milanese touch, while chunky earrings, a chain necklace, bangles, bracelets, and rings brought plenty of sparkle.

She also added a yellow bow to her ponytail for a playful pop of color, while a brown leather bag completed her look.

Kate Racker pairs her pumps with a structured two-piece set in a gray-and-white houndstooth micro-check pattern, featuring a double-breasted vest top and matching cropped trousers (Credit: IPA / INSTARimages)

From Mary Janes to Kitten Heels: The Mormon Wives Favor Milan’s Wearable Shoe Trends

From Jessi Draper’s kitten-heel thong sandals and Layla Taylor’s Mary Janes to Miranda Hope’s flip-flops and Kate Racker’s low block heels, the cast leaned toward shoes that balanced current silhouettes with practical styling. Their Milan outfits also reflect a wider celebrity shift toward flats, lower heels, and minimalist sandals.