Summer may be coming to a close soon, but the surge in popularity around crochet, woven, and mesh flats is only set to grow stronger into next season. In fact, we already have intel on the exact It pair that everyone and their mother will be wearing or, at least, talking about and wish-listing this fall. Shocker, Alaïa is the name behind it. After the craze around the Alaïa mesh Mary Jane flats, the brand is back again with an even fresher iteration, and we predict the same best-seller status for it.
Similar to the original style, the flats comes in a fishnet material, but their Velcro slip-on silhouette gives them a much sportier feel that's reminiscent of the water shoes we wore to the beach as kids. Already, the designer water shoes are establishing residence in key tastemaker wardrobes, including Elsa Hosk's suitcase. The model and designer recently wore them while vacationing in the English countryside, where she styled the flats with an airy white maxi skirt. The shoes also popped up on our feeds, on the Upper East Side of NYC on Arielle Charnas, and at Copenhagen Fashion Week, which are all solid indicators of an emerging It piece.
Considering we haven't had a pair of "ugly" shoes hit the mainstream in a while, this season could very well mark the return of controversial footwear in the fashion world, and we're placing bets on water shoe–inspired flats taking center stage. Ahead, see how style people are wearing the Alaïa water shoes and shop similar pairs from The Row, Christopher Esber, Mango, Reformation, and more.
How Insiders Are Wearing the Viral Flats
Shop the Alaïa Fishnet Flats
Shop More Water Shoes
Tory Burch's sculptural spin on the water-shoe look is so chic.
The pair fashion people love to take on vacation in places like Ibiza and Hydra.
This is going to be Sofia Richie's next purchase—100%.
Mango got the brief.
The crochet texture gives this pair an elegant finish.
The Row's sock mesh flats were light-years ahead of their time but are still as relevant as ever.
More pretty than ugly as far as this trend goes.
We're into the drawstring cord here.
Well, these are fun.
Made to look like mesh but crafted from leather. Genius.
An affordable fan fave.
We've heard nothing but good things about how comfortable the shoes from this brand are.
A prettier upgrade from plain mesh flats.
This color can do no wrong.
These go higher up on the foot, so they qualify for the trend.
-
Romeo + Juliet, The Virgin Suicides, and Late '90s Films Inspired This Victoria Beckham CollectionAn all grown up take on teenage dressing.
-
I'm a Frugal Shopper, But I'd Be Willing to Splurge on These 28 Worth-It Fall ItemsNow I just need a black Amex card.
-
The 6 Fall Outfit Formulas That'll Get You a Seat at The Row's Paris ShowEffortlessly sophisticated.
-
A New Dawn Rises at Loewe—and the Future Is BrightOur breakdown of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez's debut for the Spanish fashion house during Paris Fashion Week.
-
Carven: What Cool Women in Paris and New York Will Be Wearing in Spring 2026Everything you need to know about Mark Thomas's runway debut for the French fashion house.
-
Thanks to It Girls With Good Taste, This Anti-Trend Bag Style Is What Everyone Wants RNHailey Bieber just proved it again.
-
Nothing Humbles Your Closet More Than the Zara New Arrivals Section—25 Pieces to Instantly Elevate Your Fall OutfitsDid I mention they're modeled by Alexa Chung?
-
Saint Laurent Went Full '80s Rive Gauche for Spring 2026Eighties shoulder pads, giant bows, chandelier earrings, and lots of leather.
