Social media's most-followed users when it comes to fashion, as well as a bevy of music and movie stars, were quick to get on board with the clear shoe trend. Photo: AFP
Fashion alert: feet are going on show. While rising temperatures are one factor, this is also being driven by the current trend for clear shoes.
After dresses and tops, it's now the turn of mules, pumps, ankle boots and sneakers to go transparent, putting feet on display.
Loewe's passion for eccentric footwear is no secret to anyone, with styles in the form of gift wrap, bars of soap or cartoon characters.
Still, the label helmed by Jonathan Anderson is one of the pioneers of clear footwear on the fashion week runways, for both men and women.
But the label is not alone, joined by Prada and its Plexiglas mules and sandals, and Valentino with its transparent crystal-covered pumps.
Then, there are the experts in the field, including Giuseppe Zanotti and Christian Louboutin.
It very quickly became clear that transparent shoes of all kinds were going to be in the mix this season, but the scale of the phenomenon remained to be seen.
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See-through in the spotlight
Social media's most-followed users when it comes to fashion, as well as a bevy of music and movie stars, were quick to get on board with the clear shoe trend.
From Kylie Jenner, photographed in a semi-transparent dress with equally translucent high-heeled sandals, to Kim Kardashian, who boldly paired an oversized fur chapka hat with transparent platforms, and Caro Daur, who opted for see-through heels over a total look, it seems like everyone has already succumbed to the call of transparency.
The trend recently gained momentum on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, where visibly showcased toes did not go unnoticed.
While everyone was talking about Jennifer Lawrence's flip-flops, chosen to accessorise a red couture dress by Dior, it was transparent shoes that were the real stars of the film festival fortnight.
And, at this ultra-glamorous fashion parade, the prize undoubtedly went to the actress and model, Aishwarya Rai, who made her first appearance in a sparkling green dress, worn with fully transparent platforms.
The shoes were a hit, and further strengthened the appeal of see-through shoes.
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Nearly 4 million views
It didn't take much for the trend to spread like wildfire among reality television stars of all nationalities.
A few minutes' scrolling on social networks is all it takes to see a host of transparent shoes, most of them mules, promoted by the most-followed celebrities in the world.
As a result, social network users have followed suit, and are slowly but surely adopting this trend, which is as glamorous as it is eccentric.
On TikTok – Gen Z's favourite social network – hashtags associated with this fashion trend have now reached four million views.
And the trend is still in its early stages, according to the same influencers and users who see clear shoes as the footwear of the summer.
In theory, this inspiration shouldn't shake up the season's broader fashion picture too much, since these clear styles would simply replace mules, sandals and other open shoes, which already show off some parts of the feet. – AFP Relaxnews
