Margaret Qualley’s Chanel ‘Barefoot’ Shoes Become the Talk of the Red Carpet
Margaret Qualley may have arrived on the red carpet in a striking Chanel dress, but it was her unexpected choice of footwear that quickly became the evening’s biggest talking point.
The actor attended the London premiere of The Dog Stars on August 20 alongside director Ridley Scott and co-stars Josh Brolin, Jacob Elordi, Benedict Wong and Guy Pearce. Her sophisticated black Chanel ensemble had all the elegance of a classic red-carpet look, but her unusual sandals were what really caught everyone’s attention.
At first glance, the footwear appeared to be a sleek pair of minimalist black heels. Look a little closer, however, and the design was anything but conventional. With their barely-there construction, the sandals seemed to blur the line between footwear and going barefoot, leaving many onlookers doing a double take. 
The unconventional Chanel shoes quickly became a talking point online, proving once again that the smallest detail can sometimes make the biggest fashion statement.
For Qualley, it wasn’t just the dress that commanded attention that night it was the shoes that truly stole the show.
Chanel’s ‘Barefoot’ Sandals Leave Fashion Fans Baffled
The unconventional footwear first caught attention when Chanel designer Matthieu Blazy unveiled it as part of the brand’s Resort 2027 collection in Biarritz, France. Blurring the line between a sandal and going barefoot, the design features little more than a slim leather heel cap, finished with delicate straps that wrap around the foot.
The front of the foot? Completely bare
Qualley opted for the black version of the unconventional design, featuring delicate straps that wrapped around her feet and a minimalist heel cap adorned with Chanel’s signature gold monogram. With her toes and most of her soles left completely exposed, the look created the surreal illusion that she had stepped onto the red carpet almost barefoot turning an already unusual pair of sandals into one of the evening’s biggest fashion talking points.
The unusual look quickly had the internet buzzing
Instagram users were quick to voice their disbelief, with one commenter bluntly declaring, “Can we all agree that this is a horrible design and these shoes should never be worn by anyone.”
Another captured the collective confusion with a perfectly timed observation: “I feel like that’s the wrong part of the foot to cover.”
And, as expected, the internet soon turned its confusion into comedy, with a wave of jokes and playful reactions flooding the comments.
“Inflation has officially reached the fashion world it’s too expensive to make an entire shoe,” one Instagram user joked, poking fun at the minimalist design.
Another commenter simply couldn’t believe the look, writing, “I can’t believe someone actually wore these Chanel shoes!” Someone else took a more practical approach, asking the question many viewers were apparently wondering: “But what if she has to use a restroom?!”
Even fans of Qualley struggled to defend the footwear. “I love Margaret, and I’m sure Chanel is great too, but these are the stupidest shoes ever,” one person declared.
Others turned their attention to the inevitable question: how much do they cost? With their barely-there construction and unmistakable Chanel branding, the shoes may look like half a pair but they certainly aren’t expected to come with a half-price tag.
The Dress Was Classic Margaret Elegant and Effortless
Amid all the conversation surrounding her unusual footwear, Qualley’s dress offered a much more familiar dose of Chanel elegance.
The actor wore a sophisticated black Chanel design by Matthieu Blazy, complete with structured cap sleeves, delicate fringe accents, a plunging V neckline and a flowing silhouette that gave the look an effortlessly refined finish.
Her beauty styling was equally understated yet polished. Qualley wore her hair loose with a sleek centre part, complemented by glossy red lips, winged eyeliner, softly flushed cheeks and naturally feathered brows.
In the end, the dress delivered everything expected from a classic Chanel red-carpet moment—but it was the unconventional footwear that stole the show. Whether Chanel’s “barefoot shoes” represent a bold new direction in fashion or simply the world’s most luxurious interpretation of going barefoot, the internet appears to have already reached its verdict and it’s certainly not.
