There was a time, a few years ago, when ballet flats were everywhere. They were paired with dresses, jeans, office wear, shorts—pretty much everything. Then sneakers came along and took the high-street footwear throne. But now, with the rise of balletcore, the ultra-feminine TikTok trend that pirouetted into our lives a couple of years ago, flats are back again. A nod to all things ballet (think wrap tops, leotards, leg warmers, and tulle) the trend has since only gained momentum and is showing no signs of slowing down thanks to our collective obsession with girlhood. Just ask Sandy Liang or Shushu/Tong.
Last September, Lanvin relaunched its OG ruched ballerinas, the ‘it’ shoe from the 2000s that was popularised by late creative director Alber Elbaz, who sent out models in cocktail dresses paired with ballet slippers. Blake Lively, Emma Stone, JLo, and Victoria Beckham were all seen wearing them in the aughts. But ballet flats today aren’t limited to the kind that were popular back then. This time, they’ve come with a twist: crafted with imaginative details such as crystals, eyelets, and mesh, and packing a whole lot of personality. Alaïa’s fishnet ballerinas were crowned the shoe of the summer of ’23 and styles such as Khaite’s crystal-studded flats and Miu Miu’s logo-emblazoned pair continue to fly off the shelves.
Then there are ballet flats that somewhat subvert the typical association with girlhood with a touch of rebellion in the details. Ganni’s take has a pointed toe, slingback straps, and large metallic buckles, while Louboutin’s Mamadrague pumps are embellished with spikes. Simone Rocha’s athletic ‘ballet trackers’ are a hybrid between the flat and the sneaker. Suffice to say, these are not your mom’s ballet pumps.
The best part is there isn’t a single scenario for which this footwear is inappropriate, especially after the widespread adoption of the Wrong Shoe Theory. Coffee run? Ballet flats. Boring 9-5? Ballet flats. Your cousin’s baby shower? Ballet flats. They may not have your podiatrist’s approval (since they don’t provide enough arch support), but you don’t have to live in them! And there’s no comparison to the ease and versatility that the best of them offer. Just slip them on and go.
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