Forget about your cute, studded sandals and woven wedges this summer – there’s a new kind of footwear that’s hit the market, and it’s the completely see-through mesh shoe that some brands are selling for nearly $1,000.
The shoes, which are being sold in many different styles from ballet flats to sneakers to loafers, made a debut by some designer brands like Khaite and ALAÏA during the later half of 2023, with a starting price of $750.
The new trend leaves the stylish consumer’s toes completely exposed, as well as the rest of their foot, reminiscent of something that may appear on Cher‘s feet in the movie Clueless or even on Sabrina The Teenage Witch in the 1990s.
Over the past few months, the trend has taken off among celebrities and influencers alike, with Vogue declaring this style the ‘hottest shoe of the spring.’
Mesh shoes are the latest trend for spring and summer, and are being sold in many different styles from a ballet flat to sneakers to even a loafer, like the flats from Loeffler Randall above
Mega-stars Kourtney Kardashian, Dua Lipa, Sofia Richie, Jennifer Lawrence and Dakota Johnson have all been spotted in the ever-popular black fishnet ballet flats by ALAÏA that come with a hefty $890 price tag
Model Elsa Hosk, seen here in the $890 ALAÏA fishnet flats, and influencers like Arielle Charnas and Rosie Huntington-Whitley have joined the club
And, on Instagram, model Elsa Hosk and influencers like Arielle Charnas and Rosie Huntington-Whitley have joined the club.
But however popular the shoes may be, some aren’t totally sold on the new trend.
When clothing company Arket made a TikTok video showing off the colorful selection of mesh flats that they offer, some commenters totally trolled them, writing that they looked like a pair of socks instead of a shoe.
‘These look like invisible socks,’ someone pointed out.
Another typed, ‘Ma’am, I think you did put your shoes and socks on in the wrong order.’
‘The sweating in these will be insane!’ one person wrote.
One TikTok user even wondered if the video showing off the mesh shoes was a prank.
Designer brand Khaite sells their sheer, embroidered ballet flats for $950, with all different kinds of designs
Dua Lipa has also been spotted in the fishnet flats, dressing them down in a casual pair of jeans and Bottega bag
When brand Arket showed off their selection of mesh flats on TikTok, they were met with commenters wondering if the shoes were some sort of prank
When brand Loeffler Randall showed off their version of the mesh flats on Instagram, they were met with tons of comments questioning the trend
Similarly, when popular high-end fashion label Loeffler Randall showed off their mesh style on Instagram, they were met with comments hilariously claiming that the shoes had been made by someone who had a foot fetish.
‘I swear these were designed by people with foot fetishes,’ one commenter wrote.
Another wondered, ‘Um… is this a joke? Did your page get hacked? Omg.’
‘Reminds me of the plastic shoes I wear to the beach incase I step on an urchin etc,’ an Instagram user admitted.
Others even compared the beige mesh shoes to a pair of panty hose, or their grandmother’s stockings.
And, last month, content creator Paige Janice showed off her own pair of white mesh ballet flats that she scored for only $24 from Target.
She said that they reminded her of similar flats made by brands Jeffrey Campbell and Tony Bianco, but was unsure if she wanted to keep them.
In the comments section, she was met with many who just didn’t seem to understand the trend.
Content creator Paige Janice also tried out the trend, picking up a pair of white mesh ballet flats for $24 at her local Target
Influencer Arielle Charnas was also seen wearing the mesh shoe trend recently, wearing a $790 pair from Khaite
But however popular the shoes may be, some aren’t totally sold on the new trend
While many celebs, like Jennifer Lawrence, have been wearing the ballet flats by ALAÏA, there are many affordable options on the market right now
‘Idk the see through/mesh just doesn’t sit right with me,’ one person wrote.
Another agreed, ‘They’re giving me the socks you get before you try on shoes like the mesh socks.’
‘I’m not sure how I feel about these. I mean they are not really much different than those thin little flip flops in terms of support and comfort,’ one person chimed in.
‘They kinda look like water shoes but cute,’ someone seconded.
But whether you like it or not, it seems like the trend is here to stay.
Many high-end designers are now making their own version of the trendy footwear, with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen‘s brand, The Row, getting in on the fun with a completely sheer pair for $690, and Christopher Esber selling a bedazzled, fishnet-style flat for $850.
Khaite makes their mesh ballet flat in all different styles and colors, some featuring floral embroidery and crystals, ranging in price anywhere from $790 to over $1,000.
More affordable brands have been coming up with their own spin on the trend as well.
Jeffrey Campbell, a brand that’s carried at stores like Anthropologie and Free People, make the mesh ballet flats in all different colors of the rainbow for only $148, while fast fashion site Mango has their own version of the see-through shoes for under $70.
Celebrity-beloved Seavees also makes theirs in an espadrille style for $100.
You can even score dupes on Amazon for as little as $27.
