At the 2019 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Priyanka Chopra made a definitive case for the “invisible” shoe trend.
Joining husband Nick Jonas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, the actress paired a high-glamour couture ensemble with one of the most debated footwear silhouettes of the late 2010s: the Yeezy Season 8 transparent sandal.
Priyanka Chopra shimmers in a white sequined Zuhair Murad gown at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, styling the look with barely-there transparent heels
While the PVC trend polarized critics at its peak, Chopra’s styling of the $650 Kanye West-designed heels demonstrated how clear footwear could be used to elongate the leg when paired with a high-slit gown.
The Jonas Brothers, including Sophie Turner’s husband Joe Jonas, performed together during the awards show.
Priyanka and Nick Jonas pose together on the red carpet, her clear PVC sandals contrasting his patterned Missoni suit at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 1, 2019 (Credit: Apega / Judy Eddy / WENN)
The Isn’t It Romantic actress opted for a white sequined Zuhair Murad Couture Spring 2019 dress, cinched at the waist with a minimalist white belt.
To balance the gown’s shimmering texture, she accessorized with layered pearl necklaces and a square bracelet from Tiffany & Co.
The actress showcases the gown’s plunging neckline and thigh-high slit, with invisible ankle-strap heels elongating her legs
Beside her, Nick Jonas leaned into maximalist patterns, wearing a blue-and-brown Missoni plaid suit over a mesh shirt.
His choice of footwear—navy suede tasseled Christian Louboutin Officialito loafers—offered a classic contrast to Priyanka’s avant-garde transparent heels.
Priyanka Chopra wears layered diamond necklaces that frame the deep V neckline of her sequined Zuhair Murad gown, adding vertical sparkle that elongates her silhouette alongside her transparent heels
Priyanka’s sandals are crafted in Italy and feature a transparent block heel. The design utilizes clear PVC straps to support the foot, sitting atop a smooth suede insole for comfort—a necessary feature for a long red-carpet evening.
Close-up: metallic lavender pedicure framed by clear PVC straps that create a floating, glass-like effect
Side angle reveals the lucite block heel and slim ankle strap securing the barely-there silhouette
Invisible vs. Naked Shoes: Understanding the Difference in Modern Footwear Trends
While often used interchangeably in casual conversation, “invisible” and “naked” shoes represent two distinct concepts in fashion history and design. The easiest way to separate them is by material versus visual effect.
“Invisible” shoes typically rely on transparent materials—PVC straps, Lucite heels, vinyl uppers—to create a floating, glass-slipper illusion that peaked during the Yeezy-dominated 2018–2019 era. “Naked” shoes, by contrast, focus on silhouette: ultra-minimal straps, skin-tone matching leathers, and barely-there constructions designed to elongate the leg without relying on transparency.
Understanding that distinction helps contextualize why Priyanka Chopra’s Yeezy Season 8 sandals fit squarely into the “invisible” category—and how the trend has since evolved into mesh flats and “barefoot luxury” minimalism.
🫥 Explore “Invisible” & “Naked” Shoe Moments on Your Next Shoes:
- 🪞 Andreia Chaves’ “Invisible Shoes” (and the “naked” variation) — mirrored, conceptual footwear that plays with optical illusion and bare-foot styling.
- 👡 Kirsten Dunst in Salvatore Ferragamo’s legendary “Invisible” sandals — a red-carpet throwback spotlighting the iconic barely-there design.
- 🧊 Chrissy Teigen in Yeezy Season 6 PVC sandals — off-duty styling anchored by clear, minimalist straps.
- 🥿 Kim Kardashian in Manolo Blahnik “Scolto” transparent strap sandals — a modern “floating” effect with clear PVC bands.
- 🧴 Off-White x Jimmy Choo PVC-wrapped “glass slipper” shoes — runway-to-reality plastic footwear that sparked debate.
- ✨ How to style transparent shoes — outfit ideas and styling notes for clear heels and barely-there sandals.
Product shot of the Yeezy Season 8 transparent sandals featuring clear vinyl straps and a sculptural lucite heel
Yeezy Season 8 Transparent Sandals, $650