Gen Z has officially entered the professional workforce, and this generation’s corporate wardrobe tends to favor a specific silhouette. Even at the office—particularly if your workplace is as dress-code flexible as Harper’s Bazaar—the “big pants, little shirt” formula thrives.
On a recent outing in London, Zendaya (an honorary Gen Zer, as she’s on the cusp) took that uniform for a spin by infusing it with her own personal taste. The star was photographed strolling around Notting Hill wearing a ribbed cropped tank top in taupe from Agolde, wide-leg pleated trousers in dark brown held up by a warm caramel leather belt, and a leather shoulder bag covered in Louis Vuitton’s signature Damier.
Besides immediately thinking “Zendaya really is just like me!” at the first sight of her outfit, I found my attention quickly captured by her shoes. It seems the Emmy winner is the latest celebrity getting in on the mesh ballet flat trend.
Her pick was a white iteration of Bottega Veneta’s Atomic flat (which also comes in black). Bottega’s contribution to summer’s hottest footwear trend includes a curved rounded toe and a dainty circular heel, which ultimately suited Zendaya’s look perfectly. As a public figure known for her cutting-edge style, it makes sense that Zendaya would push the envelope here, even if just for a casual shopping-day outfit.
Of course, she’s not the only celebrity endorsing the mesh street-style takeover. Jennifer Lawrence is known to love her own pair of airy Alaïa net flats, and Tracee Ellis Ross recently touted a mesh crescent-shaped bag, also from Alaïa.
As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers' rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset.
