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Ever seen a shoe that made you physically gasp? For some, it might have been a strappy, lace-up high heel or a Prada slingback, but for me, it was these sparkly mesh Khaite ballet flats. In May 2023, I was scrolling on Instagram when a post from stylist Caitlin Burke pulled into view and I could think about nothing else but these see-through beauties.
There is something about the material that makes these flats so much sexier than a stiletto. Mind you, this is the first time I’ve ever described a shoe as “sexy.” I hate it as much as you probably do, but it’s the truth. If you pass them on the sidewalk, these are simply shoes, but upon closer inspection, they are purely vessels to show off your feet — bonus points if you have a color-coordinating pedicure. They’re basically the footwear equivalent of lingerie: enticing because something’s not fully visible but just visible enough to keep things interesting. As with a mesh bra or even a Pollock painting, from far away you could be seeing anything, but if you take a second look, you realize, Yes, those are nipples; yes, those are paint splatters; yes, those are someone’s God-given toes.
And it’s not just this specific Khaite mesh pair — it’s the ones from Dear Frances, it’s the ones from Sandy Liang, from Alaïa, and from The Row, arguably the brand behind this whole trend. The Quentin Tarantino–approved style has unsurprisingly trickled down since my algorithmic encounter, so at least now you don’t have to pay $700 for shoes to look like you’re not even wearing shoes. Mesh flats are sticking around, and in my own Carrie Bradshaw moment, I can’t help but wonder: Do I have a foot fetish now? A logical question, as I’ve never had such a strong reaction to seeing toes before.
Last year we had a barefoot-boy summer, a J.Law flip-flop reveal at Cannes, and a shoeless Carolina Herrera runway show. Feet were, and still are, in. The spring 2024 collections of Mugler, Khaite, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Proenza Schouler were a clear indication. Thankfully, more wallet-friendly styles have entered the chat, so you can find reasonable pairs at retailers like COS, Everlane, Mango, and Jeffrey Campbell. As someone who has been somewhat embarrassed my whole life that my third toe is ever so slightly longer than my second toe (a sign that I am a good family mediator, according to my Indian grandmother), I’m ready to let them shine — but only under a veil of mesh that blurs (almost) as well as La Roche-Posay’s tinted sun fluid.
Do these flats have support? Absolutely not. Your podiatrist would be aghast. Will they hold up against rain? They’re definitely not Gore-Tex. But after years of chunky dad sneakers; thick, pillowy soles; and sky-high Versace platform heels, it’s refreshing to see silhouettes that are ultraminimal — i.e., you can actually feel the sole of your foot hit the earth, sensitive arches and the elements be damned. If you’re just as compelled as I am, shop the pairs below.
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Best Mesh Ballet Flats
One of the most coveted (and difficult-to-find) designer pairs, this fishnet style from Alaïa is surprisingly in stock at Bergdorf Goodman.
Better snag these now before they sell out yet again. They come in black and white, so pick your neutral — or get both.
Everlane gave its popular ballet flat a simple mesh makeover, though it’s only available in black for now.
If the Khaite crystal flats are a little out of your price range, opt for these similar sparkly ones from Loeffler Randall.
Red is the color everyone’s been wearing, so combine two trends in one with this style.
This Etsy seller makes mesh flats in all sorts of colors, and the price tag isn’t too shabby for a made-to-order style. The almond toe and beige hue make these a great everyday shoe.
White mesh will really make a bright mani pop underneath.
The fishnet-inspired material is dressed up with a gold chain around the ankle and a stylish square toe.
Lace these up for an even more dramatic look or you can go without them to free up your ankles.
A pretty olive-green shade is here for those who want a bit more color in their mesh footwear.
The price point of this square-toe navy pair is really speaking my language.
Illustrator and content creator Jenny Walton wore these on a Sicily vacation, and I am obsessed. They’re now available in multiple colors, so you can opt for bright hues “pistachio” and “mango” if you want some bold summer footwear.
The double Miu Miu–inspired buckle combined with the mesh upper makes these a statement pair of flats.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a roundup of mesh flats without these “sock flats” from The Row. Jennifer Lawrence is a big fan of this particular style.
