Fashion
Move Over Sneakers: How Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber Elevated Jeans With Heels
Hair Bieber: Getty Images
For a pre‑Academy Awards dinner hosted by W magazine Editor in Chief Sara Moonves and Dior Creative Director Jonathan Anderson, Hailey Bieber wore straight-leg jeans paired with a Dior Bar jacket and heel. The iconic cropped tailoring of the jacket created structure above the jeans. The choice of black heels gave the outfit a different look from a typical daytime style: the heels height and open silhouette created a cleaner line between the jeans and the foot. This combination offered a clear example of how a classic jacket and simple heels can reposition straight‑leg denim for an evening setting where a clean look feels appropriate.
Bella Hadid: Backgrid
Bella Hadid’s recent West Hollywood appearance where she honored her late friend and designer Virgil Abloh provided another interpretation of how neutral pieces and statement shoes can elevate jeans. Hadid wore a white boatneck long‑sleeve top underneath a 1987 Alaïa leather jacket with trompe l’oeil corset detailing, paired with straight‑leg blue jeans and a black Loewe Amazona bag. The standout element of the outfit was her leopard‑print peep‑toe heels, which contrasted with neutral tones of her outfit and lifted the jeans beyond casual wear.
What connects these two outfits isn’t casual dressing alone, but the deliberate choices in structure and finish. Bieber’s tailored Dior Bar jacket, a piece with historical significance in women’s tailoring, added crisp structure to balance the simplicity of straight denim. The black heels gave the lower half a purposeful finish, while Hadid’s mix of neutral staples with printed heels brought life to a simple jeans look, even with familiar basics.
Photo: Getty Images
These examples show how small changes wearing heels instead of sneakers or adding a structured jacket can transform the same wardrobe staple in different ways. Hadid’s heels add a patterned detail, while Bieber’s heels and tailoring give an evening-ready polish. In both cases, denim stays central, but the finishing pieces create a sense of occasion.
In today’s fashion coverage, this kind of style choice shows how footwear and outerwear can elevate everyday pieces, rather than relying on casual staples like sneakers. Whether it’s a dinner event or a tribute appearance, these outfits demonstrate that the impact of jeans on an overall look is shaped as much by what they’re paired with.