Shoes that Feel Like Socks, Slippers, & Gloves
may our feet feel hugged and loved
Dear Reader,
How’d you feel about the mesh shoe trend last year?
Personally, I had to sit with it a bit. As someone who avoids trends and tries to stay true to a timeless style (to me, see-through flats don’t fall under the timeless category), I couldn’t quite understand what it was about the mesh shoe trend that turned me on.
Ironically, I realized the mesh material itself wasn’t what spoke to me.
Rather, I realized I was drawn to a single feature many mesh shoes share: a sock-like fit.
For example, take the Row’s mesh shoe—quite literally called “the sock shoe”—and how it hugs the foot in a way that passes for a barefoot look. Similar to a nude nail, it’s a “barely there” aesthetic, which I always seem to be attracted towards.
My fascination with the sock-like feature led me down a worm hole into various styles of shoes that act like socks, slippers, and gloves. Some are mesh, some are not, and some designers—like Proenza Schouler and The Row—have catered to this feel more than others.
Out of a love for comfort (and less so for trend), I’ve decided to do a roundup of shoes that act like socks., slippers, and gloves.
None are quite the same, but all do a similar job to create comfort with a sole.
May your feet feel hugged and loved.
<3 Megan
PROENZA SCHOULER
Perhaps the most versatile sock-like styles come from Proenza Schouler, with a range from a loafer look, to literal ballerinas (a bow and everything!), to an Oxford-looking glove flat (big fan).
Overall, Proenza runs at a happier price-point to competing brands. For example, check out this flat that looks nearly identical to Khaite’s Marcy leather.
THE ROW
My personal favorite for design and quality —I’ve lived in The Row’s Ballet for seasons (dupe here), and my latest new love is the Canal Slipper (I have both this brown smooth leather and black suede leather).
There’s also the Tech loafer with huggable edges, the Fairy that never stays in stock, and the aforementioned Sock Shoe. All designs are uniquely chic and delectably cozy.
KHAITE
Khaite’s Marcy may be the most popular amongst all sock-like flats (leather and rhinestone mesh options), though I’m partial to the crochet Maiden that is newer on the market (also a smooth leather option in the Maiden).
Knock-off options: these at Mango or these by Tony Bianco.
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
A marriage between Khaite’s Marcy sparkle and The Row’s Sock fit, Christopher Esber’s Minnette is hard to miss. Every time I see an influencer strut these, I pause. Undoubtedly, they’re eye-catching.
Come in white, black, and nude.
LOEWE
Put simply, my shop scroll paused when my eyes caught a glimpse of the Toy Slipper by Loewe. Also in black.
ALAÏA
A brand I have yet to explore myself, though am tempted by every reiteration of their ballet flat I’ve seen. Some seem more sock-like than others (the mesh being the most huggable, seemingly).
Knock-off option: These at Steve Madden.
