Part of getting older is seeing trends from your youth making a comeback. That can fill you with warm nostalgic fuzzies (when it comes to certain things) and a mixture of amusement and dread when it comes to others.
If TikTok is to be believed, mesh floral slippers (which last trended hard in the early ’00s) are the ‘it’ girl shoe of summer 2024.
Yes, these ones:
We’re leery of these things coming “back” for reasons we’ll get into. But, if you DO want to buy these shoes, read on for where to get them and how to style them freshly for 2024 (because wearing these with shorts and a halter top is no longer The Look).
What Are Mesh Floral Slippers, and Why Are They Back?
Mesh floral slippers, aka Chinese Slippers, are thin-soled slip-on shoes. The toes are “covered” by mesh, beaded flower decals and perhaps a little bit of sparkle. You’d think these would be indoor shoes, but in the late ’90s and early ’00s, they were worn as outdoor footwear.
These shoes have threatened comebacks a few times throughout the years, but they’re really staring to bubble back up on TikTok right now, with younger fashion creators dubbing them the ‘it’ girl shoe of summer (and offering up a link to the TikTok shop) and millennial creators stitching reactions filled with shock, mockery and dire warnings.
Why the mockery? Millennials road-tested these shoes 20 years ago. Our feet learned a lesson. If you’re thinking of buying, keep the following in mind before you drop $10+ on each pair (they were $1-$5 a pair back in OUR day).
Why are these shoes back? Fashion is cyclical. Early-aughts Y2K fashion has been making a comeback for a few years now. Retailers pull a few styles and products from the vaults regularly to drum up the hype for “retro” items among the new generation of teens and ’20-somethings. Gen Z loves retro stuff because it reminds them of a time before social media.
Pros:
- Mesh slippers come in a rainbow of colors (you’ll need several pairs because they don’t last long).
- They’re a great house shoe or pool shoe. For quick trips outside they’re great. For a pool day, they’re easy to slide in a beach bag and slip on and off. Plus, the mesh construction means they dry easily if splashed.
- They’re kind of cute (they always were).
Cons:
- They don’t last long. The mesh starts tearing, and the already-flat sole will wear out quickly.
- Your feet will get dirty. That mesh doesn’t protect you from the elements on the streets, on campus, in bars or on public transit (yes, we wore them all those places).
- Rain is bad news for these shoes. Your feet will get soaking wet. The soles have no traction to speak of, and the slippers will slip off in the mud. Ask us how we know.
- The soles are thin. They become misshapen within days, and your feet will hurt badly if you try to walk more than a city block in them.
- They’re not as breathable as they look. Despite having what looks like mere gossamer covering your feet, they’ll feel sweaty.
So are mesh floral slippers the ‘it’ girl shoe of summer? Poolside, maybe. Anywhere else, well … you’ll see.
Where to Buy Mesh Floral Slippers
If you DO want to buy mesh floral slippers (because they’re delightfully new to you, or because you are hit with a wave of nostalgia), you can get them from Amazon and Walmart.
Warning: This new crop of mesh floral slippers is no longer $1 a pair. Think more $10 or more a pair.
Amazon Women’s Floral Beaded Mesh Chinese Slippers ($13.99 a pair)
Walmart Mesh Slippers ($12.99 a pair)
How to Style Mesh Floral Slippers in 2024
We asked our resident fashion expert, Lisa Davis, for her take. For the record, Lisa never wore these shoes back in the day.
“If you just feel the need to wear these things for nostalgia or for whatever reason, here’s how you can style them – and maybe even distract from their look,” she says.
Skinny Jeans (Like These from Abercrombie for $90)
“Pair these things with skinny jeans for a casual look,” Davis says. “Since the slippers are flat, skinny jeans will help keep the hems from dragging the floor.”
A Flowy Maxi Skirt (Like This One From Free People For $128)
“A flowy maxi skirt that’s super pretty says, ‘I’m really whimsical,’” Davis says “It can also keep your feet from getting weird tan lines from the mesh slippers you’re sporting.”
A Swimsuit Coverup (Like This One From Revolve For $154)
“Wear them to a pool party or other casual outdoor event with a cute swimsuit coverup,” Davis says. “Everything looks better when it’s paired with a bubblegum pink hue – even mesh Chinese slippers.
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