Clear the way for fashion's latest footwear trend, transparent shoes

Fashion is currently obsessed with transparent. Shown here is a scene from the 2015 live-action Disney remake of Cinderella. Photo: Filepic

Different styles of Cinderella’s glass slippers, a 2023 trend that sprung up mid-year, are a versatile addition to your wardrobe.

Whether you use them to complement party dresses or elevate casual looks, transparent shoes come in all shapes and sizes and are usually made of materials like perspex or lucite (not actual glass).

“Transparent shoes are the foot’s answer to the sexy, barely-there dressing we are seeing across the ready-to-wear collections; it’s an ode to the 90s PVC a la old-school Mugler,” noted Harrods’ head of accessories Josie Gardner in an article published in Vogue.

Christian Louboutin, Valentino, Loewe, and many more brands have been incorporating the trend into their collections, and here are a few tips on how to ace the look.

Read more: Colour me electric: How fashion is undergoing a neon revolution

Denim done right

Transparent shoes are the way to go this season. Photo: Christian Louboutin

Everything goes with jeans if you want to keep things casual, but for that added level of sophistication, clear heels are just the thing.

Whether the heels are chunky or slim, you can’t go wrong with this combination, and if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, try a pair of pointy toes with split seam pants.

The triangular shape of your heels will align with the seam, resulting in a harmonious balance between the seam and shoe.

Suit up

Business on the top, party down below? If you have a corporate job and are required to dress in a suit, try to spruce up your outfit with a pair of clear heels or mules.

Depending on your company’s dresscode, you may want to stick with completely clear shoes without glittery embellishments, but there’s no reason to avoid a sleek buckle to add some dimension to your footwear.

Read more: How fashion is obsessed with footwear that are a little less than conventional

Party time

Transparent shoes are perfect for pairing with any type of party dresses, whether it is long, short or midi.

Take it from celebrities like Doja Cat, Rihanna, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kim Kardashian, who have been showing up on red carpets and at star-studded events in every variety of clear shoe.

Give them a try on your next night out, whether with a classic LBD or long, flowy gown.