Laura Dern has offered a refreshingly practical take on Venice Film Festival style, stepping out in low-profile ballet-inspired sneakers rather than traditional dress shoes as she arrived in the Italian city.
The Oscar-winning actress was photographed wearing Vivaia Lexi sneakers in an ivory-and-beige colourway, teamed with a floral Gabriela Hearst midi shirtdress. Arriving by boat at the Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido pier, Dern's polished outfit offered an elegant contrast to her more practical footwear choice.
The look was a notable departure from the towering heels and elaborate footwear frequently associated with major film-festival appearances. But rather than sacrificing sophistication, Dern demonstrated how a streamlined pair of sneakers can work with a distinctly dressed-up ensemble.
Her footwear choice also made practical sense for a day spent navigating Venice, where getting between festival events can involve walking, boats and busy streets.
Laura Dern's casual wear at the 2026 Venice Film Festival included a Gabriela Hearst "Maude Pleated Mia's Flowers Midi Shirtdress in Ivory Multi Printed Silk Twill" and an Alaïa resort 2026 shirtdress with a Longchamp L Le Smart Shopping Bag
by u/skermahger in whatthefrockk
Laura Dern Gives Ballet-Inspired Sneakers a Stylish Makeover
Dern's shoes were identified as Vivaia's Lexi Casual Walking Shoes, a style combining the shape of a ballet-inspired shoe with the construction of a sneaker.
The ivory-and-beige pair has a streamlined appearance that sits comfortably alongside a floral dress without creating the sporty contrast associated with conventional trainers. The design features a cushioned sole, grippy traction and a stretchy ankle cuff.
Those details make the shoes particularly suited to walking, although there is no indication that Dern herself described them as comfortable or explained why she selected the pair.
The photographs, however, show how effectively the footwear worked with her outfit. Rather than looking like an afterthought, the sneakers complemented the relaxed elegance of her floral dress while allowing the actress to maintain a polished appearance.
The choice was particularly fitting for her arrival in Venice. Dern was photographed wearing the shoes while disembarking a boat, offering a glimpse of how practical footwear can fit naturally into the demanding schedule surrounding a major film festival.
A Fashion Choice That Puts Comfort in the Spotlight
The appeal of ballet-inspired sneakers lies in their ability to bridge two traditionally different categories: the feminine styling of ballet flats and the more practical construction of trainers.
Dern's Vivaia pair has a more substantial sole than an ultra-thin ballet pump, while its streamlined upper keeps the overall silhouette refined. That makes the style versatile enough to work with dresses and other polished outfits without appearing excessively casual.
For festival dressing, where appearances can require considerable movement between venues, that versatility is particularly useful. Dern's look demonstrates that sophisticated style does not necessarily require towering footwear.
It is also important not to overstate the message behind the outfit. There is no suggestion that Dern was making a formal statement about abandoning heels, nor that she was deliberately challenging red-carpet conventions.
Instead, her Venice appearance offers a simple fashion lesson: practical footwear can sit alongside an elegant outfit without undermining it.
With her floral Gabriela Hearst dress providing the glamour and her Vivaia sneakers providing a more walkable foundation, Dern struck a balance between polished festival dressing and everyday practicality.
And while the shoes may not have delivered the height of a stiletto, they provided something equally relevant for navigating Venice—a stylish alternative designed with walking in mind.
