Mesh Ballet Flats Are The Unexpected Standout Shoe Trend Of 2023

“Naked shoes” were all the rage at the spring/summer 2023 shows, and now they’ve migrated onto the streets. See-through pumps have become summer’s unlikely footwear hero, beloved for their unusual appeal. Unlike regular ballerinas, which also took prime position on the catwalks, this season’s semi-sheer styles are gossamer thin, ensuring breathability – the ultimate hot-weather selling point.

 

Jennifer Lawrence has become the unofficial poster-girl of the trend, having invested in The Row’s Ozzy slippers, which Vogue called “non-shoes” thanks to their barely-there silhouette, and Alaïa’s bestselling fishnet flats.

 

The latter have claimed cult status among the fashion set. “The moment I saw them, I was in love!” muses British Vogue’s fashion editor Eniola Dare, who snapped up a pair last December before going on holiday. “They were the perfect summer – and holiday-ready – shoes to add to my collection.”

 

“As well as it being super comfy, they can literally be worn with anything,” she continues. Eniola’s styling tip? Daytime calls for simple tailoring or jeans, while for the evening, she likes to wear them with a maxi dress or co-ords.

 

Elsewhere, Khaite’s delicate Marcy pumps and Bottega Veneta’s Stretch flats are equally versatile, while raffia styles from Loeffler Randall and Le Monde Beryl are made for the warmer months.

 

More daring dressers, meanwhile, have gravitated towards the divisive glassy pumps debuted at Jonathan Anderson’s spring/summer 2023 show, Valentino’s vertiginous PVC heels and Amina Muaddi’s transparent wedges. Like the “naked dress” trend, “naked shoes” can be ranked on a scale of extremity, so it’s up to you how much you wish to bare.

 

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