Mesh Ballet Flats: How to Choose, Wear and Size the Sheer Flat

Mesh ballet flats are sheer flats with an upper made from fishnet, mesh net and similar open textiles, so the foot shows through. They were a niche shoe until Alaia made its fishnet flat a cult piece, and now most designers make a version. US Google searches for “mesh ballet flats” and “mesh flats” each run at about 9,900 a month. A good pair has a soft, even mesh, a leather lining where the foot meets the shoe and a strap that stops the heel slipping. Coveti carries 33 Alaia mesh and fishnet ballet flats from $1,300 to $1,930. This guide covers how to choose, size and wear them.

Key facts

• What it is: a ballet flat with a sheer fishnet and mesh upper that shows the foot.
• What to look for: an even mesh, a leather lining and trims, and a strap that holds the heel.
• Fit: Alaia recommends taking half a size down in its fishnet ballet flats.
• At Coveti: 33 Alaia mesh and fishnet ballet flats, $1,300 to $1,930.
• Season: bare legs in summer, a fine sock in autumn and winter.

Fishnet, mesh and strass: the differences

Fishnet is an open, diamond shaped net, the one Alaia uses on its fishnet ballet flat. A finer mesh is denser and less see-through. Strass fishnet adds small rhinestones at the crossing points, as on the Alaia strass fishnet flat, which turns the flat into an evening shoe. Laminated fishnet has a metallic coating. Trims vary too: patent calfskin, suede and crocodile embossed calfskin all frame the mesh differently.

What makes a good mesh flat

Check three things. The mesh should be soft and even, with no rough knots against the skin. The lining should be leather, at least at the heel and toe, because that is where the shoe rubs. And there should be a strap, buckle and elastic band: mesh has no structure of its own, so a flat without one tends to slip off the heel. Alaia uses a buckled strap across the instep, a lambskin lining and a rubber sole.

How mesh ballet flats fit

Mesh stretches a little with wear, which is why Alaia recommends taking half a size down in its fishnet ballet flats. If you are between sizes, the smaller one is usually right in mesh. Coveti lists only the EU sizes Alaia makes, with half sizes, and shows sold out sizes as unavailable. the Alaia size guide converts EU to UK and US sizes.

How to wear mesh flats through the year

In summer, wear them with bare legs: a linen dress, wide trousers, cropped jeans. In autumn, add a fine sock in a matching tone, so a black sock under a black mesh flat, and wear them with a midi skirt and a knit. In winter, opaque tights work under darker mesh. For a fuller winter option, the Alaia shearling ballet flat keeps the same shape in a closed, warm version.

Caring for mesh shoes

Mesh catches on rough surfaces, so keep it away from gravel and from velcro and hook fastenings on bags. Wipe the trims with a soft dry cloth, let the pair dry naturally if it gets wet and store it in its dust bag with tissue in the toes so the mesh keeps its shape. Rotate them with another pair rather than wearing them every day.

Mesh beyond the flat

The same sheer idea runs through the Alaia shoe range: the Strappy Pumps in mesh are transparent heels, the Heeled Chelsea Boots in mesh are see-through boots and the Thong Mules in mesh are a summer heel. the Alaia shoes guide covers them all, and The Attico ballet flats shows another take on the flat.

Mesh ballet flats to buy

1. Ballet Flats in Fishnet, Black, $1,300

Signature Alaia ballet flats inspired by classical Japanese shoes. Buckle strap on top. 90% polyamide 10% calfskin leather. Made in Italy.

2. Ballet Flats in Fishnet and Suede, Burnt Orange, $1,300

Signature Alaia ballet flats inspired by classical Japanese shoes. Buckle strap on top. 50% polyamide, 50% polyester, trim 100% goat suede leather. Made in Italy.

3. Ballet Flats in Strass Fishnet, Black, $1,930

Signature Alaia ballet flats inspired by classical Japanese shoes. Buckle strap on top. 97% polyester, 3% elastane, trim 100% goatskin leather, main application 100% acrylic. Made in Italy.

4. Ballet Flats in Fishnet and Crocodile Embossed Calfskin, Black, $1,520

Signature Alaia ballet flats inspired by classical Japanese shoes. Trims, strap and inner sole in crocodile embossed calfskin. 100% polyamide, 100% calfskin. Made in Italy.

5. Ballet Flats in Laminated Fishnet, Platinum, $1,360

Signature Alaia ballet flats inspired by classical Japanese shoes. Buckle strap on top. 82% polyamide, 18% polyester, trim 100% lambskin. Made in Italy.

6. Ballet Flats in Fishnet and Ayers Leather, Honey, $1,680

Signature Alaia ballet flats inspired by classical Japanese shoes. Buckle strap on top. 90% polyamide, 10% ayers snake leather. Made in Italy.

7. Ballet Flats in Denim Fishnet, Denim Blue, $1,300

Signature Alaia ballet flats inspired by classical Japanese shoes. Buckle strap on top. 90% polyamide, 10% cotton. Made in Italy.

Buying Alaia at Coveti

Every piece is authentic and checked before dispatch, and ships worldwide by insured express courier (DHL Express and FedEx International Priority). On US orders Coveti covers the majority of import duties, and the delivery FAQ has the detail; most other regions ship Delivered Duty Unpaid. Shoes are listed in the EU sizes the house makes, with sold out sizes shown as unavailable. Full terms are in the logistics and returns protocol.

Frequently asked questions

What are mesh ballet flats?

Ballet flats with a sheer mesh and fishnet upper that shows the foot, usually trimmed in leather and held on with a strap.

Are mesh ballet flats still in style?

Yes. Searches for mesh flats in the US were at about 9,900 a month in autumn 2026, and most designers now make a version.

Should I size down in mesh flats?

Often, because mesh gives with wear. Alaia recommends taking half a size down in its fishnet ballet flats.

Can you wear mesh flats with socks?

Yes. A fine sock in the same tone as the mesh is the easiest way to wear them in cooler months.

Who makes the original mesh ballet flat?

Alaia made the fishnet ballet flat famous; its version has a buckled strap, a round toe and a rubber sole and is made in Italy.

How much are Alaia mesh flats?

$1,300 to $1,930 at Coveti on 14 October 2026; the plain fishnet flat is $1,300.

Read next

The Alaia ballet flats guide, red ballet flats, Mary Jane ballet flats, the Alaia size guide.

More Alaia guides

Who was Azzedine Alaia, the Alaia ballet flats guide, the Alaia bags guide, the Alaia shoes guide, the Alaia size guide, and the full Alaia collection at Coveti.

Sources and method

Checked on 14 October 2026 by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti. Product facts (materials, heel heights, dimensions, sizes and country of manufacture) are the brand’s own product-page text; prices and counts are the live Coveti catalogue on that date and move with stock. Where a claim could not be checked it was left out.

• maison-alaia.com, Shoes: product pages read on 14 October 2026 (heel heights, materials, sizes, Made in Italy)
• DataForSEO Google Ads search volume, United States, read 14 October 2026
• Coveti, logistics and returns protocol
• Coveti live catalogue, 14 October 2026: prices, sizes and stock

Gemma Deeks is Fashion Editor at Coveti. Prices, sizes and stock on this page were checked against coveti.com and maison-alaia.com on 14 October 2026.