If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. Hollywood stars are no strangers to the power of on the red carpet. Take it from Jennifer Lawrence, who stepped out at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in a dreamy red Christian Dior gown with (drum roll, please) black flip-flops.

The Oscar-winning actress attended the premiere of the French film, , and originally arrived in the haute couture silk crepe dress and matching red heels (also by Dior), and changed into more . The star was also there to support , the Sahra Mani-directed documentary that intimately documents life for the women of Afghanistan after the Taliban seized Kabul in 2021. It’s not the first time that an A-list star ditched in favor of comfy feet at Cannes.

Dame Helen Mirren sported at the film fest in 2021, and Kristen Stewart kicked off her Christian Louboutin heels and went barefoot there in 2018 (she’s also been known to pair mini dresses with Converse sneakers). Elsewhere, Chloé Zhao wore a head-to-toe Hermès look (which included white sneakers) to the Oscars for her , and Questlove has worn Crocs to the Grammys and the Academy Awards. In the spirit of stars who prefer function over toe-blistering , check out some of the best black — designer gown optional.

For those who don’t like the feel of thongs between their toes, we’ve also rounded up the best women’s slides and other open-toed option.