How the Strappy Sandal Became a Timeless Oscars Accessory

Legends of footwear — Stuart Weitzman, Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti and Jimmy Choo, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary and the release of “The Minny,” a minimalist version of the strappy stiletto — have made event footwear as important as the dress or pants. Their single and multi-strap stiletto heels are not only some of the most worn on the red carpet and pushed on social scrolls, but have been instant style shifters on repeat for decades. In satin, leather, beaded, or dyed-to-match shades, the strappy sandal remains a graceful, elegant and timeless accessory. Camera ready to easily accentuate the standard “one-leg exposed” carpet pose.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Megan Thee Stallion attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Megan Thee Stallion at the 94th Annual Academy Awards. Getty Images

With all the history contained in the Fairchild Archives, I took a moment to see just where this shoe style story begins. Of course, there have been many versions of strappy evening styles. The first versions arrived as celebratory, fashionable footwear in the 1920s and ‘30s.

 

Sonny and Cher, 45th annual Oscars, and Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant, 67th annual Academy Awards. Fairchild Archive/WWD

Those modest, single-ankle-strap tap shoe styles slowly began to change, rising in popularity in the 1960s. Footwear News (FN) featured an illustration version of the light, airy, nude shoe as it gains in popularity in Los Angeles. In daring designs, they perfectly flirt with 1970s disco and Oscars red carpet fashions of the time.

Reaching their highest heights in the 1980s and ‘90s, it’s easy to understand how the strappy sandal could dominate Hollywood glamour and grandstand Oscar gold.

Emma Stone - Actress in a Leading Role - 'La La Land' (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Emma Stone at the 89th Annual Oscar Awards. Stephen Lovekin/WWD

Continuing to keep its readers abreast of all the best in shoes, Footwear News put a spotlight on “The Minny,” Jimmy Choo’s strappy 4.5-inch heels, in 2016. Since then, alongside Stuart Weitzman’s “Nudist” and other famous barely-there high-heeled strappy sandal styles, this shoe has managed to keep its red carpet reservation all year round.

We’re anticipating all the red carpet shoe moments at the 98th Oscar (Academy Awards), but while we wait, here are a few strappy shoe sightings on the Oscars red carpet through the years.  

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