Barefoot Bold: Margaret Qualley Debuts Chanel’s Soleless Heels Amidst ‘Naked Shoe’ Craze

London was the setting for a striking fashion statement on August 20, 2026, as Margaret Qualley stepped onto ‘The Dog Stars’ premiere red carpet wearing Chanel’s highly anticipated soleless ‘barefoot cap heel’ sandals. These distinctive sandals, part of Matthieu Blazy’s Cruise 2027 collection, feature only a logo-stamped block heel and two elegant ankle straps. The design intentionally leaves the arch, ball, and toes exposed, creating a compelling ‘barefoot’ illusion that has quickly captured attention.

This daring design by Chanel places it firmly within the burgeoning ‘naked shoe’ trend, where footwear aims to minimize coverage and maximize the illusion of bare skin. Loewe, under Jonathan Anderson, has been a notable contributor to this transparent footwear movement, presenting designs like the ‘Emily shoes’ and glass-like ballerinas in its Spring/Summer 2023 collection. Alaïa also made waves in 2022 with its £650 fishnet ballet flats, which set a precedent for mesh and transparent designs, later followed by their ‘Invisible Jelly sandal’ crafted to give a ‘practically barefoot’ appearance. Balenciaga’s ‘Barefoot Zero’ from the Pre-Fall 2025 collection further embraces this aesthetic with a lightweight, 3D-moulded sandal designed for an ultra-minimalist, near-barefoot sensation. Even the iconic Maison Margiela Tabi shoe, first introduced in 1988 and inspired by 15th-century Japanese split-toe socks, can be seen as an early precedent for ‘naked shoes’ by creating the illusion of a bare foot atop a heel.

Design innovation in this realm spans structural soleless silhouettes and clear PVC constructions, reimagining materials for luxury. Clear PVC is a favored material, appearing in designs from Gianvito Rossi and Chanel, prized for its ability to create a ‘naked’ effect and its versatility in rigidity and flexibility. Luxury jelly shoes, once a nostalgic item, have evolved into high-fashion statements from brands like The Row, Chloé, and Bottega Veneta, often featuring sculptural heels and elaborate embellishments. Brands like Jimmy Choo also incorporate transparent elements, such as glittery jelly shoes with rhinestone straps, maintaining their status as a popular choice for red carpet events. Additionally, mesh hybrids, like Alaïa’s fishnet ballet flats, strike a balance between coverage and exposure, aligning with what some are calling the ‘no shoe theory’ trend.

Unsurprisingly, the ‘naked shoe’ trend is proving highly polarizing. It has sparked widespread public and editorial debate across social media platforms concerning its practicality, aesthetic value, and often, its high price points. This ‘shoes-without-shoes’ aesthetic gains significant viral traction online, with its divisive nature making it a powerful conversation starter for luxury brands. High-luxury labels are adeptly transforming materials such as PVC (for jelly shoes) and reinterpreting archival designs like the Tabi into modern, polarizing status symbols, capitalizing on both nostalgia and avant-garde reinterpretation. The trend conspicuously emphasizes foot exposure and ‘toe cleavage,’ which some interpret as an exploration of naturalism, vulnerability, or even a subtle ‘humblebrag’ that showcases well-maintained feet.