Margaret Qualley’s Chanel Barefoot Sandals Divide Fashion Critics

Margaret Qualley’s choice of footwear at the London premiere of “The Dog Stars” has become the latest flashpoint in a growing fashion debate over barely-there shoes. The 31-year-old actress wore Chanel’s controversial “barefoot” sandals, a design that leaves the soles and toes completely exposed while offering only a leather heel cap, the brand’s iconic logo, and ankle ties for structure. The polarizing look, paired with a black fringed plunge-neckline dress from Matthieu Blazy’s Cruise 2027 collection, turned heads instantly on the red carpet.

The sandals sparked immediate and divided reactions across social media. Some viewers praised the bold fashion choice, with one Instagram user writing, “Ten toes down for this look,” while Qualley’s stylist, Danielle Goldberg, received comments such as “You won stylist of the year.” Others were less enthusiastic. One commenter captured the mixed sentiment perfectly: “I hate it, but I respect.”

Qualley’s shoes are not an isolated experiment. The “barefoot” sandal trend has been building momentum on runways and red carpets for months. The controversial resort-wear design first hit the runway in April and has since become part of a broader movement toward barely-there footwear that blurs the line between wearing shoes and going barefoot entirely. This shift extends beyond Chanel. At Paris Men’s Fashion Week in June, Saint Laurent debuted a transparent derby-style shoe in its spring 2027 menswear collection that immediately drew criticism online. One Instagram user quipped, “They must look fancy with all the sweat and condensation,” during Europe’s record-breaking heatwave, while another joked, “I’m calling the police.”

Why The Trend Divides Fashion Audiences

The appeal of barely-there shoes lies in their minimalist aesthetic and resort-wear sensibility. Qualley’s Chanel sandals embody this philosophy with their simplistic design: just a leather-capped heel, thin ankle laces, and the brand’s logo. For fashion-forward audiences, the look represents confidence and editorial boldness. For skeptics, the shoes raise practical questions about hygiene, comfort, and whether something so minimal can truly be called a shoe at all.

The trend includes variants beyond the basic sandal. Transparent PVC shoes and jelly-style footwear have gained traction alongside the barefoot designs, each contributing to the broader “barely-there” category. These styles challenge conventional footwear design by prioritizing visual minimalism and skin exposure over traditional protective or structural elements.

Qualley’s specific choice of the Chanel design carries additional cultural weight. Chanel has long set luxury fashion standards, and its embrace of the barefoot sandal signals institutional approval for a trend that many still find unconventional. The fact that she paired the sandals with a formal red-carpet ensemble, rather than beachwear or casual resort attire, emphasized the blurring of context between casual and formal fashion.

Celebrity Red Carpet Evolution and Accessibility

Red carpet appearances have increasingly become platforms for experimental and polarizing fashion statements. Celebrities now regularly use premieres to test boundary-pushing designs that generate immediate social media conversation. Qualley’s August premiere moment at “The Dog Stars” proved no exception. The film itself, directed by Ridley Scott and featuring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong, and Allison Janney, provided the platform. The movie was set to release in theaters and IMAX on Friday, August 28, with advance screenings beginning on August 27.

For audiences interested in replicating the look, however, accessibility remains limited. Qualley’s Chanel sandals from the Cruise 2027 collection were not yet available for purchase as of late August. The brand has not announced plans to release the exact design commercially.

Fashion retailers have begun offering alternatives for those drawn to the barely-there aesthetic. Similar styles in black leather, featuring strappy designs and ankle ties, are available from brands including Sam Edelman, Madewell, Michael Kors, and Marc Fisher. These alternatives deliver the visual effect at significantly lower price points than a Chanel haute couture piece, though they lack the prestige of the original design.

The Personal Context Behind The Look

Qualley, who recently ended her relationship with musician Jack Antonoff, appeared confident and composed in the head-to-toe Chanel ensemble. Her styling choice extended beyond the shoes. A dark glossy pedicure completed the barefoot aesthetic, suggesting intentionality rather than accident in the overall presentation.

The timing of the look, just weeks before “The Dog Stars” theatrical release, positioned Qualley as both actress and fashion statement-maker. This dual role has become increasingly common among celebrities navigating the overlap between entertainment publicity and fashion influence. The red carpet moment generated conversation about her film while simultaneously establishing her willingness to embrace divisive design trends.

What Comes Next For Barely-There Shoes

Whether the barely-there shoe trend sustains its momentum remains uncertain. Fashion cycles move rapidly, and polarizing designs often face short shelf lives. However, the fact that multiple luxury houses, Chanel, Saint Laurent, and others, have embraced the concept suggests deeper acceptance within the fashion establishment than the social media backlash might indicate.

Qualley’s role in popularizing the trend cannot be understated. Celebrity endorsements, especially on high-profile red carpets, accelerate adoption and conversation. Her willingness to wear the sandals on a major premiere, combined with the immediate social media response, has ensured that barely-there shoes remain part of the current fashion conversation. Whether future audiences will follow her lead or reject the trend as a momentary excess remains an open question.

The real test will come when other celebrities face the same choice: embrace the controversial design or step away from it. For now, Qualley has set a precedent and sparked a debate that extends far beyond shoes.