Something strange is afoot in the world of high fashion. Shoes seem to be vanishing before our very eyes, all the traditional features of footwear fading away to the point of going AWOL entirely. The result? Brace yourself for a disturbing amount of foot on display this summer. If you’re already wary of, say, a peep-toe sandal and the podiatric maintenance that such a style requires, then be very afraid indeed. The barely-there shoe is on the march – and it’s providing minimal arch support in the process.
One of the most talked-about footwear buys of the season is the Balla shoe from It-brand Dear Frances, a creation that boldly seeks to ask: what if the ballet pump became even less flattering and showed off every inch of your trotters? The design in question, which is available in eight colourways and costs £295, is near-transparent, fashioned from thin mesh with Italian leather edging.
