A few years ago, talking about barefoot shoes meant a very specific and recognizable type of footwear, more related to functionality than to trends. However, something is changing. The rise of flat shoes, soft ballet flats, and minimalist silhouettes is bringing the barefoot aesthetic closer and closer to everyday wardrobe.
And Zara seems to have taken note. The Inditex brand already offers several models that it directly calls barefoot, transferring some of the usual characteristics of this type of footwear to designs much easier to integrate into a daily look.
What does it really mean for a shoe to be barefoot?
The term barefoot literally means “barefoot” and is used to refer to a type of footwear designed to interfere as little as possible with the natural movement of the foot.
Although features may vary between manufacturers and models, certain elements tend to recur: a toe box wider to give more space to the toes, a flexible sole, and a minimal height difference between the heel and the front part of the foot.
That said, it’s worth making a distinction. If a brand uses the word barefoot to define one of its shoes, it does not necessarily mean it has exactly the same characteristics as a specialized model. Therefore, the interesting thing is to look at the specific product sheet and not only at its designation.
Barefoot-style Zara sneakers
Barefoot-style Zara sneakers
Our first proposal is this barefoot-style sneaker released by Zara. It is a sporty sneaker with a flexible sole and contrasting laces. A model with a removable Ortholite insole and a flat sole without anatomical details. It is a design priced at 35.95 euros.
Barefoot-style suede ballet flats by Zara.
Barefoot-style suede ballet flats by Zara.
This is a trendy ballet-flat style design. A perfect model for the transitional season. It is a sporty ballet flat (ref: 5239/810/517) with barefoot characteristics that offer a more natural gait thanks to its wide toe box and a functional toe area with space for the free movement of the foot.
Barefoot-style white sneakers from Zara
Barefoot-style white sneakers from Zara
Finally, we propose these white sneakers with a contrast-colored sole. It is a timeless design (ref: 5421/810/001), versatile, and a leopard-print tongue. A very comfortable model. It has a removable Ortholite insole and a flat sole without anatomical details.
From functional footwear to a fashion shoe
That Zara is entering this field doesn’t seem accidental. Women’s footwear is experiencing a particularly favorable moment for flat and minimalist silhouettes.
Ballet flats have been among the most sought-after shoes for several seasons, and the runways continue to explore versions that are increasingly lighter and softer. Even barefoot-inspired sandals have moved into the realm of high fashion. Chanel presented for its Cruise 2027 collection some striking sandals that left almost the entire foot exposed, and later Margaret Qualley wore them on the red carpet.
It’s not exactly the same concept as functional barefoot footwear, but it does reveal a shared obsession with reducing the shoe to its minimal expression.
