Saint Laurent debuted translucent, extended-toe men’s derby shoes during Paris Fashion Week, and social media has fixated on a practical worry: how much sweat and condensation the see-through PVC design could trap as Europe endures a record heatwave.
Paris Fashion Week was already in full swing when Saint Laurent’s newest men’s runway shoe hit the spotlight — and the internet didn’t wait long to weigh in.
The house unveiled a pair of transparent plastic shoes as part of its Saint Laurent Spring 2027 menswear collection. introducing an extended-toe derby-style design from creative director Anthony Vaccarello. The translucent material shows the wearer’s full foot. a look that quickly turned into a different kind of fashion debate as parts of Europe swelter through a deadly heatwave.
Many social media users focused on what they say the shoes might trap. Several commenters pointed to sweat and condensation, arguing the see-through design could intensify the discomfort during extreme temperatures. “They must look fancy with all the sweat and condensation. ” one Instagram user wrote under Saint Laurent’s post promoting the shoes. Another response was blunter: “I’m calling the police.”.
The backlash also tapped into nostalgia and pop culture. Some compared the shoes to plastic jelly styles that first gained traction in the mid-80s — brightly colored. inexpensive footwear that became a must-have for fashionistas and tweens alike. Those jelly shoes have made a comeback in recent years. with brands such as Melissa returning to the trend and luxury designers like Chloé presenting jelly mules at its spring 2026 show.
The reaction wasn’t limited to critics, though. While much of the general public chatter skewed negative, fashion-focused content creators were more willing to treat the look as a statement piece rather than everyday footwear.
“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. He added that he sees them as runway-appropriate. even if they aren’t for everyone: “Of course they’re not for everyone. but at least as a runway accessory. I’m all for it.”.
Others centered their objections on the specific shape of the shoe. In a TikTok video on June 24. content creator RaeShanda Lias said the long front section — described as “5 inches at the front of the shoe” — would give sweat a place to pool. She argued that would leave toes effectively “marinating. ” ending with an unpleasant result. adding that you would “end up smelling like cabbage greens.”.
Saint Laurent’s shoe wasn’t the only headline-making detail from the menswear show. During the Saint Laurent Menswear Spring and Summer show at Paris Fashion Week. held on June 23. a lineup of A-list celebrities was spotted in the front row. Attendees included Madonna, Kate Moss, Rami Malek, Austin Butler, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Charli XCX, and “Heated Rivalry” star Connor Storrie.
A separate group of commenters framed the transparent footwear as an “eye cleanser” rather than a problem. In a TikTok video. content creator I Deserve Couture said he “needs them in his closet now.” He praised Vaccarello’s approach in more sweeping terms. describing Saint Laurent as understanding “desire and seduction. ” and criticizing how fashion can feel like it demands “more. more. more. more drama. more hype. more this. more that.” He said Vaccarello instead “stripes that down. ” leaving pieces that “stand on their own.”.
One theme runs through the noise. even among people who disagree on the shoes themselves: they’ve become impossible to ignore. For some, that means a runway gimmick in an era of record heat. For others. it’s precisely the point — a bold. translucent silhouette that turns comfort into a conversation and style into a spectacle.
The show’s photos and videos have now pushed the shoes from catwalk curiosity into a full-on viral dispute, with even supporters acknowledging they’re not meant for everyone — just for the moment.
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