Are these gorgeous shoes or what? Christian Louboutin’s mesh-and-rhinestone, festive fishnet flats.
By Janet Kelly
NEVER SAY never, but I can say with a high degree of certainty that I’m never going to wear see-through clothing—the kind half of Hollywood wore on 2024 red carpets.
Maybe they’re okay for warm weather, but too flimsy—I prefer a better barrier between my feet and the street. Besides, feet are not most women’s most attractive body part to be put on full display. So, why am I talking about this at all? Because, as this microtrend has blossomed, choices have happily evolved. On mesh ballet flats, Mary Janes and heels, outsoles are more substantial and many are lined and trimmed with leather.
The newest look is sparkly embellishments, including crystals, glitter, rhinestones and metallic disks. And that twinkly treatment is also happening on all-leather flats, loafers and kitten heels. Think jewelry for the feet.
A sprinkling of shiny studs on shoes is not only a way to put life and light into whatever you’re wearing but also transition to fall with joy in your step. And who couldn’t use a little—or a lot—of that?
Here are the 11 shoes on my radar this week:
Jimmy Choo’s Amel Crystal Mesh Slingback Pumps (2″ inch) is a spiffy-looking shoe. My only hesitation is the heel, which looks like an upside-down golf tee. Would I wobble wearing them? A spendy indulgence, its sells for $1,495 at Bloomingdale’s.
With its dusting of glitter and adjustable buckle, Free People’s Sheer Jules Flat (it comes in pink, too) resembles the Jimmy Choo slingback above, except it sells for $98. Also luxe for less: Sam Edelman’s Bianca Mesh Slingback Heels with rhinestone embellishments for $160.
Before we even blink, the holidays will be here. Eek. I think the large rock crystals on these mesh Balla Flats ($730) say party time. I suggest amortizing the price over a series of occasions, fancy and not.
I’d wear this Ellie Crystal Mesh Flat (a demure Mary Jane) with my velvet pants or for a high-low contrast, with my cropped jeans. They sell for $300 at Veronica Beard.
Remember when SJP in “Sex and the City” looks longingly at a pair of uber-expensive shoes in the window of a NYC designer boutique? Staring at these Christian Louboutin Mamastrapitina flats (also available in black), I empathize.
Brigitte Bardot asked Maison Repetto to make a shoe as flexible as a ballet flat. The result was the Cendrillon (or Cinderella). The original flat comes in 30 colors, but wannabe ball goers –or grownup girls who fancy shine anytime—can set their sights on the new Cendrillon Glitter Ballet Flats . They sell for $405.
I’ve stayed away from heels for what seems like years now but if I were going to, er, dip a toe back in, I’d go for these 3.1 Phillip Lim ID Soft Ballerina Pumps (1 1/4″ block heel) with stripes of sparkly crystals and a lacquered outsole. They sell for $595 from the designer’s website and also at Nordstrom.
Anthropologie’s Studded Mary Jane Flats double down on shine in silvery leather with a peppering of metallic disks that look like raindrops. Also available in black, they sell for $190.
Fashion bible WWD has proclaimed that red remains hot for fall. This Loeffler Randall Wine/Silver Ballet flat (also available in other colors) offers a subtle alternative for $295.
My black flats/ballet slippers are looking awfully dull compared to Le Monde Béryl’s Regency Slipper. Another incentive is its elongating silhouette for anyone (everyone) who wants a foot-slimming shoe. It sells for £445.
From ballet slippers and Mary Janes, teeny-tiny gems have leapt onto loafers, such as this Rhinestone Studded Leather pair ($425) from Sandro Paris.
Love sparkling shoes but I don’t do flats (except for flip flops) I have “fat feet” and look awful in flats. I bought a pair of gold sparkly sneakers for New Year’s Eve and will wear again at my brother and SIL golden wedding anniversary in September will be a backyard soiree so perfect! They are beautiful shoes but not for me.