From ‘I Am Sam’ to Bold Fashion Choices: Dakota Fanning Stuns in Proenza Schouler at the ACE Awards

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It feels like it was just yesterday that Dakota Fanning starred in “I Am Sam.” The young actress is now all grown up, and her always prim and proper look also seems to have changed.

Dakota Fanning stuns in a bold blue crochet net dress paired with black strappy sandals at the 18th Annual Accessories Council ACE AwardsDakota Fanning stuns in a bold blue crochet net dress paired with black strappy sandals at the 18th Annual Accessories Council ACE Awards (Credit: Derrick Salters / WENN)

While she did not go completely naked, in November 2014, the then-20-year-old actress surprised many when she attended the 18th Annual Accessories Council Excellence (ACE) Awards in a crochet net dress from Proenza Schouler’s Spring 2015 collection that left little to the imagination.

It’s hard to believe that so many years have passed since she made her career breakthrough at seven in the drama film “I Am Sam.”

Portraying Samuel John “Sam” Dawson’s (Sean Penn) bright and inquisitive daughter, Lucy Dawson, she became the youngest person ever nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Dakota Fanning and Sean Penn share a touching moment as father and daughter in the emotional drama I Am SamDakota Fanning and Sean Penn share a touching moment as father and daughter in the emotional drama I Am Sam (Credit: New Line Cinema)

Born on February 23, 1994, in Conyers, Georgia, Dakota turned seven on February 23, 2001, just one month before filming started. The drama/melodrama film was released on December 28, 2001.

Her character in the movie, Lucy Diamond Dawson, is named after Lucy Diamond from The Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”

The dress includes a removable sheer organza lining, but Dakota chose to go without it and revealed her black bralette and ’60s pinup underwear instead. She styled the outfit with a black-and-white fringed clutch and black strappy sandals.

Dakota Fanning boldly reveals her black bralette and pinup-style underwear under a striking blue crochet dress at the 18th Annual Accessories Council ACE AwardsDakota Fanning boldly revealed her black bralette and pinup-style underwear under a striking blue crochet dress at the 18th Annual Accessories Council ACE Awards at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on November 3, 2014 (Credit: Derrick Salters / WENN)

Fortunately, Dakota didn’t appear vulgar despite the revealing dress, thanks to her minimal makeup and blonde locks styled in a straight do.

She completed her ensemble with Proenza Schouler sandals, which feature triple-wide straps across the uppers, ankle straps, open toes, cobalt blue soles, and block heels that measure about 4.3 inches.

Dakota Fanning adds a pop of color to her look with a vibrant cobalt blue pedicure, matching the soles of her black strappy sandalsDakota Fanning adds a pop of color to her look with a vibrant cobalt blue pedicure, matching the soles of her black strappy sandals (Credit: Derrick Salters / WENN)

Dakota Fanning stands at 5ft 4in (162.6 cm) without heels. The block heels she wore likely added about 3.5 to 4 inches to her height, bringing her to approximately 5ft 8in to 5ft 8.5in (173.7 cm to 174.9 cm) while wearing them.

Unfortunately, these shoes are not yet available online.

Proenza Schouler Black Leather Sandals With Blue SolesProenza Schouler Black Leather Sandals With Blue Soles, $995