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These Are Set to Be the Most Popular Shoes of Summer—And They Aren’t Sandals

they do show your toes, though 👀
written by KAITLIN CLAPINSKI

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Source: Dolce Vita | Loeffler Randall
Source: Dolce Vita | Loeffler Randall

I love a fun style trend—after all, it’s practically my job to do so. But surprisingly, I rarely buy into them; when I do, I really believe the piece is something special. Despite the recent resurgence of ballet flats, I hadn’t felt the need to pull the trigger on a pair—until now.

The mesh ballet flat has been bubbling under the fashion surface for some time, but this summer, the shoe is bound to get the mainstream attention it finally deserves. Like many of the current trendiest items, ballet flat’s recent popularity was in part fueled by The Row. Nearly four years ago, the brand’s sock slippers took inspiration from the traditional Chinese slipper called a “xiuhuaxie,” leading fashion people to welcome the minimalist shoes into their wardrobes once again. But the mesh ballet flat craze came courtesy of Alaïa’s fishnet flats, co-signed by stylish celebrities like Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lawrence, and Sofia Richie.

Source: Loeffler Randall

Mesh ballet flats have been cause of much controversy. The ugly-chic shoe is certainly polarizing, but its intrigue is what makes it so worth investing in. I’m opting for the mesh style over a traditional ballet flat because it’s airy (obviously—it’s made of mesh), but the textured and see-through exterior elevates the shoe into becoming a statement while remaining sleek and minimalist-friendly.

Source: Dolce Vita

In the summer, it often feels like even our favorite sandals aren’t sophisticated or statement-making enough. The mesh ballet flat is the solution to this styling conundrum—you have all of the breathability of a sandal combined with the corporate-chic feel of a ballet flat. The netted texture adds a touch of coolness for the perfect addition to your warm-weather footwear arsenal.

Source: Everlane

Don’t let the nuance of mesh ballet flats be a styling barrier. Simply throw them on as you would any other flat sandal or shoe. Style them with a butter yellow sundress to give a laidback look a little edge, or pair them with trousers and a button-up for an office-ready outfit. Plus, since the trend has had some time to settle, there are plenty of affordable options for you to try out yourself. And, lucky for you, we’ve rounded them all up in one place. Ahead, shop our favorite pairs of mesh ballet flats.

Madewell
Round-Toe Ballet Flats

2 colors available

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Jeffrey Campbell
Embroidered Ballet Flats
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Loeffler Randall
Soft Ballet Flats
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Dolce Vita
Mesh Ballet Flats

6 colors available

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Zara
Mesh Ballet Flats
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Amazon
Nude Embroidered Ballet Flats
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COS
Leather-Trimmed Mesh Ballet Flats
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DISSH
Bejewled Mesh Ballet Flats

2 colors available

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Sam Edelman
Mary Jane Ballet Flats

3 colors available

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Mango
Semi-Transparent Ballet Flats
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Massimo Dutti
Mesh Ballet Flats
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Steve Madden
Mesh Ballet Flats
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Dear Frances
Mesh Ballet Flats

7 colors available

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Reformation
Bethany Ballet Flats

9 colors available

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Amazon
Mesh Buckle Ballet Flats
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Jeffrey Campbell
Thick Sole Ballet Flats
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J. Crew
Mary Jane Mesh Espadrilles

3 colors available

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Everlane
Mesh Ballet Flats

6 colors available

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Cider
Mesh Mary Jane Ballet Flats

2 colors available

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Source Unknown
Mary Jane Mesh Ballet Flats
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