Toe-tally ridiculous: Why fashion houses send out unwearable nonsense

October 13, 2026 — 3:30pm

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Let’s start with feet because, thanks to house of Yves Saint Laurent, there is now no avoiding them.

At a recent London film event, Alexander Skarsgård stepped onto the red carpet for a screening of his new film Wicker in a metallic gold Saint Laurent suit, no shirt, and a pair of completely transparent lace-up Oxfords. Clear PVC, black sole, black laces, and all 10 toes pressed against the plastic like a child’s face on a candy store window.

I have spent a long time around shoes. And I can say with some authority that these are hideous. They come from the YSL Spring 2027 men’s collection and – this is the bit I love – they’ve been named the O.Fan. Yes, after OnlyFans. The label’s shoe designer says the idea grew out of a joke about why men are so scared to show their feet. Having seen a great many men’s feet, I’d suggest the fear isn’t entirely misplaced.

The online reaction went straight to the practical questions. Comfort. Sweat. Condensation. It’s a shoe that is essentially cos-playing a greenhouse or a terrarium.

Skarsgård,........

© The Age