YSL's latest in men's footwear may get a bit sweaty. Take a look
YSL's latest in men's footwear may get a bit sweaty. Take a look
Greta Cross, USA TODAYThu, June 25, 2026 at 5:44 PM UTC
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As Europe swelters through a deadly heatwave, Saint Laurent’s latest runway shoe has sparked a different kind of concern: sweaty feet.
At Paris Fashion Week, Saint Laurent's spring 2027 menswear collection debuted a pair of transparent plastic shoes that have the internet up in arms. The extended-toe derby-style shoe, designed by Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello, is translucent, showing off the wearer's full foot. Many took to social media to express their concerns with the amount of sweat the shoes may hold, especially as Europe continues to experience a record-breaking heatwave.
"They must look fancy with all the sweat and condensation," one Instagram user commented on Saint Laurent's post promoting the shoes. "I'm calling the police," another user said.
To some, the high-fashion shoes are reminiscent of plastic jellies, which first gained traction in the mid-80s. The brightly-colored, inexpensive shoe quickly became a must-have for everyone from fashionistas to tweens. They've experienced a resurgence in recent years with contemporary brands like Melissa and luxury designers like Chloé, who presented jelly mules at the spring 2026 show.
PVC shoes weren't the only things turning heads at Saint Laurent's Menswear Spring and Summer show at Paris Fashion Week. During the show on June 23, a slew of A-list celebrities were spotted kiking in the front row, including Madonna, Kate Moss, Rami Malek, Austin Butler, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Charli XCX and "Heated Rivalry" star Connor Storrie.
What are people saying about YSL's new shoes?
When it comes to the bulk of social media, most are not fans.
"I thought this was a meme," an Instagram user commented on the designer's Instagram post. "This year has been hard enough," another wrote, "Please don't do this to us."
"They are telling me men have entered the transparent shoe chat and nobody invited them. I don't even want women in transparent shoes," content creator RaeShanda Lias said in a TikTok video on June 24. "Now you see, the 5 inches at the front of the shoe ... is where your sweat is going to pool. That will let your toes marinate and you end up smelling like cabbage greens."
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Not everyone is a hater
Though the general public may be confused, fashion-focused content creators appear more willing to give them a chance.
"I think they are sick and twisted and that's why I like them. Men should get to have a little fun too, okay?" content creator John Villa said in a TikTok video on June 24. "Of course they're not for everyone, but at least as a runway accessory, I'm all for it."
Adding to the shoes' unique look is the length, extending far beyond a wearer's toes. This lengthy style isn't new for Saint Laurent, Villa said in his video, pointing to a variety of the line's heels for women. YSL's Brigitte Pumps, for example, are also translucent and offer an elongated, pointy toe.
Reacting to the shoes in a recent TikTok video, content creator I Deserve Couture said he needs them in his closet now.
"Anthony Vaccarello's Saint Laurent is an eye cleanser and a soul cleanser because this man understands desire and seduction," Couture said. "It comments on the current state of fashion, where we constantly need more, more, more, more drama, more hype, more this, more that. But Vaccarello stripes that down, gives you pieces that stand on their own."
Contributing: Morgan Evans, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: YSL debuts new, eye-catching men's footwear at Paris Fashion Week
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
