Key Insights

• Celebrity Trends: This year, celebrities have embraced a practically barefoot style at various high-profile events.
• Freaky Footwear: The year 2026 has seen an emergence of unusual shoe designs, with Margaret Qualley’s sandals exemplifying this trend.
• Future Predictions: Although the Chanel “barefoot sandal” is not for sale, it may inspire more polarizing footwear trends and increased interest in pedicures.

I guess it’s time to let our dogs out. While freaky ugly clear shoes have been taking over the trend cycle this summer, we just unlocked the freakiest of them all: barefoot sandals. Margaret Qualley debuted Chanel’s lace-up leather heel cap “sandals” for the London premiere of the Ridley Scott film The Dog Stars.

Don’t be fooled by the sandals there; only the actor’s heel is covered by the “shoes.” Designed by Matthieu Blazy, we first saw these heels on the runway for Chanel’s cruise 2027 collection in Biarritz, France. Not available for sale, this design is meant to be polarizing. And that it was.

Yet, this isn’t the first time a celebrity has gone practically barefoot on the red carpet. Stars like Keke Palmer, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, Kesha, and Doechii have all made toe-spectacular appearances for the Met Gala, movie premieres, runway shows and talk show appearances.

While we don’t all have the pretty feet privileges to wear barefoot sandals or clear mesh flats, keep scrolling to learn more about this new style trend that’s forcing us to get a pedicure.

• Celebrities have been spotted sporting a practically barefoot style this year on red carpets, movie premieres, and even the Met Gala.
• 2026 has been the year of the freaky shoe and clear flats; this latest style worn by Margaret Qualley only solidified it.
• While the viral Chanel “barefoot sandal” isn’t available for sale, we’re predicting this will start a trend of even more polarizing shoes and an uptick in pedicures.