Toes take over the red carpet: How A-listers are flaunting their feet in quirky sheer shoes or 'barefoot sandals' in latest statement trend

This summer saw sheer footwear dominate the red carpet and celebrity fashion like never before - with A-listers seemingly no longer fearful of flaunting their toes in front of the eyes of the world.Perfect for slipping on during a heatwave, the popularity of minimalist footwear even saw American actress Margaret Qualley attend London's premiere of The Dog Stars in a pair of £2,200 ]Chanel 'barefoot sandals' in August.The new trend leaves the toes either completely or partially visible, as well as the rest of their foot, reminiscent of something that may appear on Cher's feet in the movie Clueless or even on Sabrina The Teenage Witch in the 1990s.But as we enter into the autumn months, the sheer footwear trend shows little signs of slowing down - with male A-listers also going open-toed for red carpet events.On Thursday night, Alexander Skarsgard stepped out in a pair of quirky plastic shoes from Saint Laurent's 2027 spring/ summer collection, which debuted at Paris Fashion Week last month, for BFI London Film Festival.Pictured posing alongside his co-star Olivia Colman for their new film Wicker, Alexander's transparent lace-up Derbies in TPU caused quite the stir - with one X user noting: 'They look extremely uncomfortable'.'Clear shoes are fine until about twenty minutes in when the condensation starts showing up,' noted another, while one quipped that they were actually rather 'surprised how well they suit him'.From Daisy Edgar Jones to the Kardashians and even the Duchess of Sussex, it seems there has been no shortage of A-listers willing to put their feet on display - no matter the weather.Alexander Skarsgard On Thursday night, Alexander Skarsgard stepped out in a pair of quirky transparent shoes at the London premiere of his new film Wicker Mr Skarsgard, 50, made a fashion faux pas as he joined co-stars Ms Colman, 52, Elizabeth Debicki, 36, and Peter Dinklage, 57, on the red carpet at the BFI SouthbankOn Tuesday night, Alexander Skarsgard stepped out in a pair of quirky transparent shoes at the London premiere of his new film Wicker. Mr Skarsgard, 50, made a fashion faux pas as he joined co-stars Ms Colman, 52, Elizabeth Debicki, 36, and Peter Dinklage, 57, on the red carpet at the BFI Southbank.The actor displayed his feet in the plastic shoes, from the fashion designer's 2027 spring/ summer collection which debuted at Paris Fashion Week last month.While the shoes proved certainly divisive, they made a statement as he stepped out for the new film, which has left many scratching their heads over its bizarre concept.All eyes also diverted to his co-star Olivia Colman who arrived wearing an elegant satin gown from Celine, while displaying her new grey locks. She was joined alongside her husband of 25 years, Ed Sinclair.The Oscar-winning actress has been embracing her greys and natural curls in recent weeks after ditching her brunette pixie cut.Margaret Qualley This summer, Margaret Qualley walked the red carpet in London's Leicester Square in a pair of 'barefoot sandals' that comprised of nothing more than two thin leather straps and a tiny heel cap The shoes cost around £2,200 and have earned a reputation as the 'ugliest' shoes in the worldThis summer, Margaret Qualley walked the red carpet in London's Leicester Square in a pair of 'barefoot sandals' that comprised of nothing more than two thin leather straps and a tiny heel cap. The shoes cost around £2,200 and have earned a reputation as the 'ugliest' shoes in the world.And as she made her way along the media line, GMA reporter James Longman confessed that it was 'a choice' to go barefoot in one of London's most iconic spots.In a clip posted on GMA's Instagram, James asked Qualley: 'Are you barefoot?' and the actress replied: 'I am! I've got like the little Chanel.'Qualley's fashion choice also sparked bemusement from fans online, with one writing: 'I can't believe someone actually wore these Chanel shoes!''What if she has to use a public restroom?! Inflation hit fashion it’s too expensive to make a full shoe;''The fashion industry at this point has to be actually mocking us;''so she paid full price for only a quarter of the shoe,' quipped another.Melanie C This summer, Melanie C also embraced the clear-heel trend as she stepped out for The Abbey 35th Anniversary Party held at The Abbey on May 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThis summer, Melanie C also embraced the clear-heel trend as she stepped out for The Abbey 35th Anniversary Party held at The Abbey on May 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.The former Spice Girl's transparent stilettos were a unique addition to the athletic look as she showcased her red pedicure in the barely-there shoes.While the footwear are similar to the Giuseppe Zaotti Harmony in Plexi, Mel C's shoes had a thicker strap which suggested they may have been customised.She paired the heels with an Adidas x Asos light yellow sport set, along with a sports-bra-style top that featured a mesh inset. Kourtney Kardashian and Dua Lipa Kourtney Kardashian has been spotted in the ever-popular black fishnet ballet flats by ALAÏA that come with a hefty $890 price tag Dua Lipa has also been spotted in the fishnet flats, dressing them down in a casual pair of jeans and Bottega bagKourtney Kardashian and Dua Lipa are firm fans of the ever-popular black fishnet ballet flats by ALAÏA that come with a hefty $890 price tag.But however popular the shoes may be, some aren't totally sold on the new trend.When clothing company Arket made a TikTok video showing off the colorful selection of mesh flats that they offer, some commenters totally trolled them, writing that they looked like a pair of socks instead of a shoe.'These look like invisible socks,' someone pointed out.Another typed, 'Ma'am, I think you did put your shoes and socks on in the wrong order.''The sweating in these will be insane!' one person wrote.One TikTok user even wondered if the video showing off the mesh shoes was a prank.Ciara When Ciara stepped out for Karol G's Con Cora Foundation's Benefit Gala in March, the American singer was seen wearing a very see-through pair of heels for the occasion The 'naked' shoes, which retail for £710, feature 'transparent acryllic glass inserts' and a 'pointed toe high stiletto'When Ciara stepped out for Karol G's Con Cora Foundation's Benefit Gala in March, the American singer was seen wearing a very see-through pair of heels for the occasion. She paired the heels with a red feather dress from Bronx & Banco's Spring 2026 Collection, alongside a matching head wrap.However, this is not the first time Ciara has opted to flaunt her toes during a red carpet appearance. Last September, she stepped out in Gianvito Rossi's Plexi Metal Cap-Toe Slingback Pumps for the MTV Music Awards in New York City.The 'naked' shoes, which retail for £710, feature 'transparent acryllic glass inserts' and a 'pointed toe high stiletto'. Anne Hathaway In April, while attending the Shanghai premiere of the Devil Wears Prada 2, Anne Hathaway left little to the imagination when it came to her footwearIn April, while attending the Shanghai premiere of the Devil Wears Prada 2, Anne Hathaway left little to the imagination when it came to her footwear.The actress looked radiant in a sweeping feathered evening gown which she paired with Plexi metal cap-toe Gianvito Rossi slingback pumps - featuring a transparent base that leaves the toes and foot entirely exposed. The shoes, which are a play on Chanel's signature two-stone cap-toe sling back heels remain incredibly popular among A-listers.That same month, Chrissy Teigen stepped out for the 12th annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in the same clear Gianvito Rossi heels. The barely-there illusion saw the shoes feature a nude stiletto heel with a see-through strap fastened at the ankle, and indicate that the star had no qualms about her toes being on display. Victoria Beckham Effortlessly chic Victoria put fashion first in footwear as she joined her husband David at his BOSS One launch at Lightroom in London last yearEffortlessly chic Victoria put fashion first in footwear as she joined her husband David at his BOSS One launch at Lightroom in London last year.Victoria posed up a storm with her loved ones at the star-studded event, as the family gathered to throw their support behind the ex-footballer.She opted for a transparent heel: one of her own spring / summer 2025 shoes which she styled with a knitted all-black ensemble.The 'Cinderella' stiletto pumps which feature a clear barely-there heel and sole, typically retail for between £515 and £790.Meghan Markle It seems that the sheer shoe trend has even reached the Royal Family, with the Duchess of Sussex becoming the latest A-lister to embrace the less is more approach to footwearIt seems that the sheer shoe trend has even reached the Royal Family, with the Duchess of Sussex becoming the latest A-lister to embrace the less is more approach to footwear. At the start of the week, Meghan announced the launch of her £112 advent calendar which featured an illustration of her California home. The Duchess partnered with Los Angeles gourmet chocolatier Compartés on the 'limited-edition' product for her As Ever business featuring 24 chocolates.But eagle-eyed onlookers noted that Meghan was wearing a pair of sheer ballet flats, believed to be the 'Voile' style from Aquazzura. Featuring a sheer mesh texture, the shoes retail for £775 and feature a barely-there heel and signature bow.Daisy Edgar Jones In the height of Parisian summertime, actress Daisy Edgar Jones opted for a pair of see-through shoes from Saint Laurent's pre-fall 2026 collection as she attended Paris Fashion Week in June Daisy's unique shoe choice comes after Saint Laurent debuted their Men's Spring-Summer 2027 collection, which included a completely plastic, Oxford-style dress shoe with a very narrow toe and lace-up detailing at the ankleIn the height of Parisian summertime, actress Daisy Edgar Jones opted for a pair of see-through shoes from Saint Laurent's pre-fall 2026 collection as she attended Paris Fashion Week in June.The 'naked' brown heels were seen at the time as a suitable option given the warm weather - with the actress pairing the shoes with a delicate lace bodysuit underneath a sheer skirt.Daisy's unique shoe choice comes after Saint Laurent debuted their Men's Spring-Summer 2027 collection, which included a completely plastic, Oxford-style dress shoe with a very narrow toe and lace-up detailing at the ankle.The footwear was see-through, so you could see the models' entire feet and toes on the runway.'I asked myself: "Why torture women with plastic shoes, but not men?"' Vaccarello said with a grin during the show, according to WWD.