Christopher Esber Mesh Flats: The Minette, How They Fit and How to Care for Them

The Christopher Esber mesh flat is the Minette: a sock-like slip-on in stretch mesh netting, hand embellished with glass crystals, on a cow leather sole with an elasticated ankle. It is made in Italy and sold in Italian sizing, with no sizing correction from the brand. It is a dry-weather shoe and needs gentle care.

Mesh flats are one of the defining shoes of the moment, and the Minette is the version with the most handwork. Shop it in the Christopher Esber collection.

The Minette at a glance

The styles

• Minette Flat: the original, in soft shades such as butter and shell.
• Minette Bezeled Ballet Mary Jane Heel: the same mesh idea with a strap and a low heel.
• Billi T-Bar Flat: not mesh but jelly PVC, a water resistant flat with a T-bar strap. It runs small, so size up a full size.

How the Minette fits

Because the mesh stretches and the ankle is elasticated, the Minette follows the foot closely. Christopher Esber publishes no sizing correction for it, so order your usual Italian size. If you are between sizes, the stretch makes the smaller one wearable.

How to wear mesh flats

The crystals catch the light, so the Minette works as an evening flat as much as a day shoe. Wear it with a bias midi skirt, straight trousers cropped at the ankle, and Esber’s jersey dresses.

Care

• Keep them out of the rain: the mesh and leather sole are not made to get wet.
• Spot clean the mesh with a barely damp cloth, never soak it.
• Store them flat in the dust bag so the crystals do not catch on other shoes.

Why mesh flats took over

A mesh flat is as easy as a ballet flat but catches the light like an evening shoe. They are light, they fold into a suitcase, and they look finished with denim as much as with a slip dress. The Minette goes further than most, because the crystals are applied by hand rather than printed on.

Minette and Billi compared

What to wear with them

• Day: straight jeans such as the Deconstruct Denim Jean, a fine knit and the Minette in a nude shade.
• Evening: a jersey column dress and the Minette in black, with a Buki clutch.
• Travel: both flats pack flat, and the Billi handles a wet harbour walk.

For the brand’s other flats, heels and boots, read our Christopher Esber shoes guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are Christopher Esber mesh flats comfortable?

The stretch mesh upper, elasticated ankle and leather sole make the Minette a soft, close fit with nothing rigid to rub.

How do Christopher Esber mesh flats fit?

They follow the foot closely thanks to the stretch mesh. The brand gives no sizing correction, so order your usual Italian size.

Can you wear Christopher Esber mesh flats in the rain?

No. The mesh, crystals and leather sole should be kept dry. For wet weather the brand makes the water resistant PVC Billi T-Bar Flat.

How do you clean Christopher Esber crystal mesh flats?

Spot clean with a barely damp cloth, let them dry naturally and store them flat in their dust bag.

Read next: Christopher Esber shoes, Christopher Esber flip flops, Our mesh ballet flats edit.