3 Oct 2025
You might have seen them. You might have even considered buying them. Then you probably paused and asked yourself — what on earth am I doing? Paying for the absence of material rather than the material itself. Investing in a shoe that boasts no clear borders of propriety. Don't worry if you don't know what I mean just yet — meet mesh shoes. They are the trend that quietly crept in during 2024, still out there letting you show off a fresh pedicure yet masquerading under the guise of “closed-toe” footwear. Let's break down a few burning questions before you commit (or back away).
1. When did mesh shoes emerge?
Well, the idea of near-transparent or sheer footwear is hardly brand new, but the mesh shoe as we know it really started claiming its space in recent years. According to The Zoe Report, the mesh footwear craze kicked off in late 2018 when Bottega Veneta unveiled its stretch pumps in the Pre-Fall 2019 collection.
Those early “stretch” pieces essentially laid the groundwork for what we see now. Later, flattering flat silhouettes followed, notably via The Row, and in 2022, Alaïa added its fishnet-style spin and cemented the “naked shoe” aesthetic.
Bottega Veneta’s “Stretch” line still exists today — shoes that combine mesh or knit elements with leather trims, balancing transparency and structure. Olsen sisters, through The Row, have long championed minimal, socklike forms; their mesh flats also helped push this subtle footwear shift.
In short: the mesh shoe was gestating for years, but 2024 was its moment in the spotlight.
Instagram: @smythsisters; @hoskelsa; @veneti.a
2. How to wear them
The magic (and the trap) of mesh shoes is their delicate, see-through quality. They flirt with both formal and casual, and so styling must be intentional.
- Classy jeans pairing is your safest bet.
- A light dress can work
- Consider layering with socks or fine hosiery
- Pay attention to edges
- Keep the rest of your outfit grounded
In short: lean into contrasts — solid bottoms, structured tops — so the mesh shoe feels like a deliberate whisper, not a haphazard afterthought.
3. Are they appropriate?
Let’s be candid. For the office, mesh shoes are a gamble. A pair of classic leather flats or loafers remains the safer bet. Mesh tends to toe (ha-ha) the line too closely between formal and frivolous; in settings of strict dress code, it might be misread. For formal events or fancy dinners, also likely too perilous. You don't want someone squinting at your toes while trying to focus on the canapé.
But for casual-leaning occasions? They are splendid. Brunches, gossip sessions with your dearest over matcha, an evening stroll along the sea — where else does one attempt the clear-toe flirtation? In those settings, mesh shoes excel: breezy, unexpected, and a little bit cheeky without trying too hard.
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