Skin-baring fashion trends are anything but unusual… except when it comes to our feet.
That’s why the latest footwear craze – the mesh ballet flat – is a little unorthodox.
An evolution of the traditional ballet flat, which made its way back onto our feet in recent years, the mesh version features netted material of various transparency, sometimes embellished with crystals or studs, and usually in black or white.
The concept might sound bizarre, but the shoes have found their way into countless designers’ summer collections and, in turn, onto just about every influencer and celebrity’s feet in recent months.
How did we get here?
The style debuted at Spring/Summer Fashion Week, with brands like Khaite putting their crystal-adorned version on the runway, and Loewe going one step further with models wearing completely clear jelly ballet flats.
Now, countless others have followed suit, from Alaia’s always sold-out mesh and studded versions, to Christopher Esber’s ultra-glam take on the trend.
Next, they were endorsed by it-girls like Jennifer Lawrence, who has become somewhat of a quiet luxury street style icon in recent months, stepping out in New York City in a range of understated though high-end outfits by designers like The Row, Khaite, and Bottega Veneta. In June, she paired wide leg jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black banana bag with Alaia’s netted flats – the perfect accessorization to an otherwise minimalist look.
Another newly emerged style icon to rock the shoes was Sofia Richie Grainge, who went as far as to enlist luxury fashion expert Gab Waller to source a pair of the same perpetually sold-out style.
Naturally, the TikTok girlies have followed suit, with various iterations of the shoes now mainstays in ‘Get Ready With Me’ and ‘Unboxing’ video formats.
And while they’re yet to make their way into Australian high street stores – like trends of this magnitude usually do – European behemoth Arkett has already picked up on the movement, which means others like Zara will surely follow suit.
Our bet? We’ll be seeing them in just about every store window by the time Australian summer rolls around.
Where To Buy Mesh Ballet Flats
The Row Beige Sock Slippers, $1024 AUD from FWRD.
Khaite Marcy Crystal-Embellished Mesh Ballet Flats, $1320 from NET-A-PORTER
Studio Amelia Black Razor Ballerina Flats, $320 USD from SSENSE
Alaia Laser-Cut Leather Ballet Flats, $1090 USD from NET-A-PORTER
Loeffler Randall Leonie Crystal-Embellished Tulle Ballet Flats, $275 USD from NET-A-PORTER
Minette Flats, $995 from CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Pia, $199.95 from David Jones
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