In the late 1800s a man by the name of Michael Thonet created an entire range of furniture based on the use of bent wood and cane mesh. The mesh backs and seats of these chairs were immensely popular as they allowed a certain degree of spring for cushion and provided built in ventilation. Apparently a good idea in 1879 remains a good idea in 2010. Mesh office chairs are extremely popular today. Of course the modern variation of these chairs uses plastic or fabric mesh. The modern materials allow for even greater comfort.
Generally speaking mesh office chairs have a decidedly high tech appearance. What may or may not be a detraction is that the ability to see through the mesh fabric allows one to oh also recognize the ergonomic components of these shares such as lower back lumbar supports. Still the overall comfort and durability of mesh office chairs probably negates any aesthetic failures. And most people sitting for hours on end (pun intended) in an office chair reach a point where they care very little about the look of the chair and far more about comfort.