The Unexpected Flat-Shoe Trend Fashion People Are Suddenly Declaring as Chic

As editors, we constantly survey the moving trends to ensure that you’re up to date with all the latest fashion news. The funny thing about the fashion world is that most of the time we’re working ahead, so normally we have a pretty good idea about what trends will appear in the next six months. But, occasionally, a new trend appears that is completely unexpected, and I’ll be honest, I never expected the mesh shoe trend to take off like it has on the past few weeks. 

When new trends seemingly appear out of nowhere, they’re generally a metamorphosis of an existing style that has developed and redesigned to form the new hot style. And the mesh shoe trend is definitely that. We first sign we had that this shoe would take off was a crystal-embellished pair by Khaite that began to be spotted on Instagram. Since then, there’s been a slow and steady rise of styles appearing, and now we’re officially declaring it a trend. Taking its foundations from the success of the ballet flat, our clear infatuation of delicate footwear has been translated into the semi-sheer shoes that we’re seeing take hold. Refined, barely-there styles are a big feature in all footwear right now, and few are as minimalist as the sock-like mesh shoe. 

In the interest of being transparent, our editors are torn with this one. As ever, fashion is an incredibly personal journey, and there are times when we find ourselves debating which new styles we’re drawn to add to our own sacred wardrobes, pretty as they may be. But for those that have fallen for the new style, designers have been quick to serve up an array of versions from completely sheer and simple, to embellished crystal options. 

Right now, we still have a few editors sitting on the fence, especially those who err on the practical side with their style (these are not shoes for the rain, after all!), but for those that have committed to the mesh shoe trend, these are the styles they’re currently choosing between.