Nina Agdal, the Danish fashion model who rose to prominence through her standout appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, brings an effortless blend of glamour and approachability to everything she does.
Standing approximately 5 feet 8 ¾ inches (174.6 cm)—though often billed as 5 feet 9 inches by her agency—Nina has the statuesque presence of a runway regular.
Still, despite her model credentials, she’s refreshingly candid about her footwear preferences: “If I’m dancing, I’m definitely not wearing heels. I just don’t love wearing heels… I just love wearing a sneaker,” she once revealed, offering a glimpse into her grounded, comfort-first philosophy.
Her vital statistics are reported as 34″-23.5″-34.5″. She was born on March 26, 1992, and gained widespread recognition when she appeared on the 50th-anniversary cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2014, alongside Chrissy Teigen and Lily Aldridge.
Nina Agdal stuns in a belted blazer mini dress paired with strappy silver heels, effortlessly blending tailored polish with playful sophistication at the grand opening of Avra Estiatorio Rockefeller Center in New York City on June 10, 2022 (Credit: Michael Simon / Startraksphoto)
Nina Agdal’s height of approximately 5 feet 8 ¾ inches (174.6 cm) is taller than the average height of Danish women, which is around 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm).
Nina Agdal wears a size 9 in the US shoe system, roughly translating to a size 7 in the UK, 40-41 in the European system, and 26.5-27 in the Japanese system.
Stepping Out in Style: Nina Agdal’s Most Memorable Shoe Moments
Nina Agdal’s footwear choices have consistently complemented her chic ensembles, highlighting her impeccable fashion sense:
- Stuart Weitzman: At the opening of W Dubai, Nina paired a blue Milly top and skirt with Stuart Weitzman’s “Nudist” sandals, adding a glittering touch to her look.
- Vince Camuto: During the Vince Camuto Spring 2022 Invincible Pop-up Event, she donned an edgy black suit complemented by Vince Camuto’s “Joieana” mules, creating a streamlined and sophisticated appearance.
- Adidas: Spotted at Los Angeles International Airport, Nina opted for a casual ensemble featuring faded denim shorts, an untucked black shirt, and classic Adidas sneakers for a comfortable travel look.
- Herve Leger: Appearing on the “Late Show With David Letterman,” she showcased a bright orange bandage dress by Herve Leger, accentuated with matching heels that highlighted her radiant tan.
For more footwear inspiration, see how she styled a floor-length dress with strappy sandals featuring double adjustable ankle straps.
While Nina Agdal often turns heads with her red carpet footwear, not every style moment is successful. The model opted for a more conservative look for one charity event that sparked mixed reviews.
Nina Agdal’s Ruffled Dress Hides Her Amazing Figure at Charity Event
Nina Agdal’s breakthrough moment came when she graced the 50th-anniversary cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2014 (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
It is a shame when a gorgeous Victoria’s Secret model like Nina Agdal wastes her physique. The Danish beauty did nothing to flatter her figure at the God’s Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards.
Nina Agdal softens the spotlight in a ruffled salmon cocktail dress paired with nude ankle-strap heels, letting her natural elegance and legs-for-days silhouette shine (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
The then-24-year-old aged herself in a salmon cocktail dress, which we assume is from Michael Kors.
Nina Agdal’s nude, skin-toned heels seamlessly blend with her legs, creating a lengthening effect that enhances her statuesque height and leg line (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
Though we appreciate that she was going for something conservative and classy for the charity event, the ruffles hid her fantastic figure.
Nina Agdal donned a salmon-colored cocktail dress at the God’s Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards on October 17, 2016, in New York City (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
Nina paired the pink creation with a celebrity favorite, the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals in goosebump suede, a type of suede leather that has a distinctive textured surface resembling the small raised bumps or “goosebumps” on the skin of a goose.
The shoes were great. However, it was not the right pair for her dress.
Nina Agdal’s well-groomed feet and neutral-toned pedicure subtly enhance the minimalist elegance of her Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals, letting the sleek straps and skin-toned suede take center stage (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
When choosing shoes to boost height, neutral or nude-colored shoes are often recommended.
Nude shoes, in particular, can create the illusion of longer legs and make you appear taller because they blend in with your skin tone and don’t interrupt the vertical line of your legs.
Nina Agdal enhanced her height by showing off her feet in nude high heel sandals (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
The “Nudist” sandals are available at Zappos in nude and black. We know that many of our readers love these Stuart Weitzman sandals. Which of these colors is your favorite?
Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” Sandals, $415
While Nina Agdal often prefers sneakers to stilettos, she’s not alone in making bold footwear choices. Let’s take a look at how other Sports Illustrated models have stepped out in standout heels—both on the red carpet and beyond.
Stepping Out in Style: Sports Illustrated Models and Their Iconic Heel Moments
Sports Illustrated models are renowned for their stunning appearances in front of the camera and on the red carpet. Their choice of footwear often complements their glamorous outfits, making bold fashion statements. Here are some memorable instances where these models have showcased their impeccable style with heels:
Kate Upton Shines in Christian Louboutin Pumps
- Event: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit on Location Party
- Outfit: Kate Upton dazzled in a striped Dior halter dress featuring a cross-back design and cutout details.
- Footwear: She completed her look with classic black Christian Louboutin pumps, adding elegance to her ensemble.
- More Details: Kate Upton’s stunning red carpet appearance
Chanel Iman Turns Heads in Schutz ‘Karlyanna’ Heels
- Event: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Release Party
- Outfit: Chanel Iman opted for a chic ensemble that highlighted her model physique.
- Footwear: She wore over-the-knee cage heels from Schutz, known as the ‘Karlyanna’ sandals, making a bold fashion statement.
- More Details: Chanel Iman’s daring footwear choice
Erin Heatherton in Christian Louboutin ‘Follies Resille’ Pumps
- Event: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Celebration
- Outfit: Erin Heatherton showcased her style in a fashionable ensemble that complemented her figure.
- Footwear: She donned Christian Louboutin’s ‘Follies Resille’ pumps, featuring sheer mesh with suede trim and four-inch heels.
- More Details: Erin Heatherton’s chic shoe choice
Lily Aldridge’s Custom Red Alexandre Vauthier Heels
- Event: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Release Party
- Outfit: Lily Aldridge stunned in a backless red dress with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit.
- Footwear: She paired her dress with custom-made red satin, jewel-embellished sandals by Alexandre Vauthier, adding a touch of glamour.
- More Details: Lily Aldridge’s elegant ensemble
Hannah Ferguson’s Dual Sandal Choices
- Event: ‘Summer of Swim Fan Festival’
- Outfit: Hannah Ferguson showcased versatility with two distinct looks during the event.
- Footwear: She sported Schutz ‘Dubai’ woven sandals for a tropical vibe and later switched to Saint Laurent ‘Jane’ sandals in white patent for a classic touch.
- More Details: Hannah Ferguson’s stylish sandal selections
These moments highlight how Sports Illustrated models expertly pair heels with their outfits, setting trends and inspiring fashion enthusiasts worldwide.