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In case you’ve been living under a rock, ‘ugly’ shoes are fashion’s latest obsession – and now Chanel has revealed its take.
The Chanel Cruise collection, creative director Matthieu Blazy’s first, titled Sous le salon la plage, showcased the brand’s latest designs from the seaside town of Biarritz, France.
And while it was bright shades and big beach bags galore, one new and unusual barely there shoe silhouette, that is yet to have a price, has kicked up a fuss – and not because they’re in demand.
The design only covers the heel of the foot and ties around the front, and comes in a variety of colours, depending on the style, with black and gold showcased on yesterday’s runway.
But unlike some of the other ‘ugly’ shoes that have built up a following in recent times, Chanel’s take has failed to impress, with one saying of the barely there shoe: ‘Is the price half off too?’
Another sarcastically said: ‘Because I’m so ready to get my feet dirty.’ A third added: ‘Anyone who’s stupid enough to wear that is also stupid enough to pay full price.’
‘And the rest of the sole? What a pain in the feet just seeing it,’ questioned another concerned observer.
Just months ago, it was sneakerinas that entered the spotlight – a hybrid ‘ugly’ shoe blending the practical aspects of trainers with the light, feminine features of ballet flats for comfort and style.
Chanel revealed a barely-there shoe in its latest Cruise collection on Wednesday – but observers aren’t impressed
The unusual ‘barely there’ Chanel shoe silhouette only covers the heel of the foot and ties around the front
With their quirky style, the shoe might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the silhouette’s surge in popularity is undeniable, with shopping platform Lyst last year witnessing a 1300 per cent increase in searches for the term ‘ballet trainers’.
While sneakerinas have been in high fashion circles for some time (MiuMiu, Acne Studios, and Ferragamo all have versions), they’ve now trickled down to high street stores, and most recently, M&S has revealed its version.
Priced at £50, the shoe blends a classic, dainty Mary Jane with a trainer-like sole, making for an elevated shoe that is fit for dropping the kids off at nine and a fancy brunch at eleven.
‘Blending soft suede finishes, Mary Jane straps and trainer-level comfort, the sneakerina taps into fashion’s obsession with wearable hybrids.
‘Polished enough for dresses, practical enough for everyday life,’ the brand’s website reads.
If the M&S version doesn’t quite cut it, plenty of others are available to shop on the high street, including silhouettes sported by Dua Lipa, Emily Ratajkowski, and nepo baby Iris Law.
While it’s easy for pop stars and models to pull off almost any shoe, personal stylist Lisa Talbot told the Daily Mail that they, too, can be perfect for midlife shoppers.
‘Sneakerinas sit perfectly between a ballet flat and a trainer and that’s exactly why they’ve taken off,’ she said.
Pictured: A model walks the runway during the Chanel Cruise 2026/27 on April 28, 2026 in Biarritz, France
‘For midlife women in particular, they answer a long-standing style frustration: we want comfort without feeling sporty, and polish without discomfort.
‘High-street brands like Marks & Spencer embracing them is a clear signal that this isn’t a flash trend, it’s a wardrobe solution.’
For Talbot, the style works because it feels lighter on foot, but looks more elegant than a trainer, while also sitting comfortably in the more relaxed, fluid silhouettes commonly worn now.
Looking to style them in midlife? The key, Talbot says, is to treat them as a polished flat, not a trainer.
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