Elle Fanning Wore Spring's Most Unexpected Shoe Trend With Cuffed Jeans
This season's publicly accepted shoe trends run the gamut from mesh flats to grandma pumps (or as I elegantly refer to them, court shoes), meaning that it would take a lot for people to be shocked by a footwear fad that enters onto the scene. We're out here wearing leopard-print sneakers, patent-leather sock boots, and bright-green satin slippers on any normal day—it's not like things are exactly casual. And yet, I have a pretty good feeling that the shoe trend I just spotted Elle Fanning wearing in a photo will take some by surprise, not to mention probably spark a controversy or two.
The shoes in question—which the actress wore with dark-wash cuffed jeans, a white button-down shirt worn open with a camisole underneath, and a Bottega Veneta crossbody bag while shopping around SoHo in New York City—came straight off of the runway at Miu Miu's S/S 24 show. You may have owned something similar during your summer camp days, as the style I'm referring to is a rope sandal with a thong toe and slingback closure made entirely of colorful cord. Though Fanning chose the red pair, Miu Miu also offers the sandals in brown and black.
In addition to the kitschy, throwback nature of the shoe style, the way these particular sandals put your otherwise bare feet so close to the sidewalk is extremely controversial, especially in a city like New York. Many people swore off any flip-flop-adjacent footwear options years ago and will shamelessly call you out if they see you trying to bring them back. But, like any rule, this one is begging to be broken, and that's exactly what Fanning just did. Scroll down to shop her exact sandals before they're gone.
On Elle Fanning: Miu Miu Riviere Cord & Leather Sandal ($895); Bottega Veneta Bang Bang Vanity Case on Strap ($2200)
Shop Miu Miu's controversial rope sandals in more colors:
Shop more sporty sandals:
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
-
Better Than Ballet Flats (and Loafers): The Shoe Trend It Girls in NYC and Paris Will Be Wearing This Fall
They're classic but fresh at the same time.
-
Back to School: 5 Collegiate Shoe Trends That'll Be Everywhere This Fall
Chic, comfy, and compliment-guaranteed.
-
I'm an NYC Shopping Editor—I Can't Stop Thinking About These 31 Rich-Looking Fall Finds From Nordstrom, Zara, and H&M
Did I mention they're under $250?
-
Sorry to My Classic Black Shoes, But This Printed Shoe Trend Is Defining Fall 2025
Spotted on fashion people in Venice, NYC, and Copenhagen.
-
Sambas Aren't "Out," But If You Want to Wear Them in 2025, You Should Style Them Like This
Fresh and elegant.
-
These 32 Chic Zara Fall 2025 Shoe Finds Are the Key to Looking Like a Fashion Person—Good Luck Picking Just One Pair
Prepare for endless compliments.
-
It's Here: The It-Girl Sweater Trend of Fall 2025
Kaia Gerber has solidified it.
-
People With Impeccable Taste Swear By COS—21 Chic Sale Finds to Take Advantage of Right Now
Did you say 25% off? Yes, please.