After a long hot summer, and with still a few weeks to go, we’ve found ourselves starting to look ahead to next season – sartorially, at least. This is no doubt down to the autumn collections starting to trickle into all our favourite shopping destinations. While the fifth heatwave of the year will keep us in our summer dresses and jorts for a little longer yet, the easiest way to switch up your look after monotonous weeks of wearing the same thing on repeat is with your footwear.
Maybe you never freed your toes to begin with (a strong portion of the Cosmopolitan UK team believe the office is a place for closed-toe shoes only), but we’re officially declaring it time to put your flip-flops away in favour of ballet flats. The humble pump has many iterations, but the most stylish you can opt for is a mesh ballet flat.
Sleek, sophisticated, and offering just a peep at your piggies to nod to the summer season, mesh ballet flats work with almost every outfit thanks to their minimal aesthetic. Be it swishy midi skirts, knee-skimming Bermudas or wide-leg jeans (when the mercury does eventually drop), mesh ballet flats will see you through the rest of the warm weather and all the way to October, if not beyond.
Looking for a pair to add to your virtual shopping baskets? Look no further than Next's Cobalt Blue Forever Comfort® Round Toe Mesh Ballerina Flats.
As well as ticking off one of 2026's biggest colour trends with their vibrant cobalt colourway, the ballet flats are constructed with a contemporary mesh upper. Plus, they're part of the high street label's Forever Comfort® range, promising all-day underfoot cushioning and support – without sacrificing style.
Customers confirm as much with one review reading, “Great shoes, so comfortable and stylish.”
“Beautiful and very comfy to wear”, reads another review.
Next Cobalt Blue Forever Comfort® Round Toe Mesh Ballerina Flats
Available in five other colourways, from easy-to-wear neutrals to bright red and baby blue, we're tempted to snap up more than one pair. Happy shopping!
Follow Alex on Instagram.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
