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.

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.

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.

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.