Raye went sans footwear for her performance at the 2026 Reading Festival on Aug. 29 in Reading, Eng. The moment seems to be part of a larger trend of celebrities going without shoes entirely for public appearances or performances.
Raye isn’t the only star to go barefoot. Recently, Margaret Qualley wore the viral and controversial “barefoot sandals” from Chanel to the premiere of “The Dog Stars” in London. The barely there shoe consisted of leather Chanel-branded heel caps and ankle straps. The pseudo shoe exposed most of Qualley’s foot, a bold choice for a red carpet. Some pointed to its lack of practicality, while others praised the daring fashion choice.
In the music sphere, artists like Hilary Duff went from wearing booties to taking them off during her Small Rooms, Big Nerves tour in London. Shakira was the next to perform barefoot, this time on one of America’s biggest stages, aka the 2026 World Cup Halftime Show in July. That being said, Shakira has been performing sans shoes for years.
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As for Raye, the singer seems to prefer the barefoot look, having gone without shoes on many occasions from performances at the 2024 BRIT Awards to festivals and a stint on “Saturday Night Live.” While, yes, the choice is seemingly for comfort’s sake, taking off your shoes onstage also seemingly signals rebellion to many. Perhaps the move is seen as a boycott of uncomfy footwear.
Whatever the case may be, Raye went without her shoes for the festival, dressed only in a black form-fitted gown that was ribbed and subtly sparkly. The hem of her gown flared out and up, creating a sculptural finish. The garment is a retro style, seemingly harkening back to glamorous garments from the 60s. The “Ice Cream Man” singer seems to pull from eras before her time for dressing. Her retro style has become something of a signature, merging retro silhouettes with modern fabrics and textures.
