You didn’t need to be front row last season to see that mesh shoes are the spring/summer footwear trend that's taken the fashion set by storm. While the usual contenders – ballet pumps, loafers, dad sandals and socks – have of course been making their annual appearances, there’s no denying mesh shoes have held their place in the spotlight for more than a hot minute.
If I'm totally honest with myself; I saw it coming. They've been slowly gaining traction since Bottega Veneta introduced their Stretch silhouette back in 2019, and while momentum was increased in autumn last year (just before everyone had to swap to winter boots), this season they've really hit the ground running.
The Row's SS24 collection saw them grace the catwalk for every ready to wear look, and then, almost simultaneously, they began appearing on the feet of every ‘it’ girl I follow on Instagram. Several other designer brands (think: Gucci, Miu Miu, and Alaïa) all have their own iterations of mesh shoes – some more elaborate than others – with the high-street taking their lead and deeming them the latest ‘must have’ addition to every transitional wardrobe. Mine included.
Loeffler Randall and Khaite have added their own flair to the trend with embellishments and embroidery aplenty, meanwhile & Other Stories' leather trimmed iteration offer a more polished look that prove the footwear isn't just reserved for party season but will actually see you through 9-5 and beyond. And, let’s not forget about high-street hero Mango's sell-out siren-red fishnet flat, complete with buckled straps for an extra dose of edge.
The most popular form of mesh shoes is the flat version, which, again, comes as no surprise. The humble pump has had a makeover almost every season for the past few years now – hark back to the Miu Miu satin ballerina styles we saw last summer, and the Alaia ballerinas/Mary Jane's that have taken over since – but their latest, more breathable reinvention seems far more modern and perhaps a little edgier than people's comfort zones usually permit.
That’s not to suggest that the semi-sheer shoe trend is limited to just one style. With Gigi Hadid, Margot Robbie, and Hailey Bieber leading the charge most recently, mesh heels have been making a steady appearance in the fashion scene as of late. From Hailey Bieber’s kitten heels paired with a leather jacket and relaxed, low-slung jeans to Gigi Hadid’s ultra-luxe pair adorned with metallic bows and iridescent embellishments, it’s clear that the style set’s love for mesh shows no sign of abating anytime soon.
But how to actually style mesh shoes? Well, exactly how you'd wear your usual shoes apparently. I've seen celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence and Sofia Richie tone them down with jeans and a T-shirt, and influencers, stylists and editors pair them with chino shorts and a minimalist oversized shirt, so there aren't really any rules where mesh shoes are concerned – except maybe to treat yourself to a pedicure before donning them.
Save some GBP and even get free delivery when you shop for the best mesh shoes and other comfy new arrival slip ons with these GLAMOUR discount codes at checkout. For more from GLAMOUR UK's Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
