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Make no mistake: whilst they’ve been a total trend this year, the best ballet flats are as much a capsule wardrobe essential as your favourite white trainers. It’s hard to know which trends are worth investing in for the long haul. Maybe you jumped on the combat boot trend too soon, or have a fuzzy pair of flats at the back of your wardrobe (although honestly, kind of a slay). But ballet shoes have proven to be versatile and the easy way to add polish to any outfit. Trust: if you buy a pair of ballet flats now, you’re sure to reach for them next season, too.
Of course, the trend isn’t really anything new. Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel made a statement back in the fifties with her two-tone sling backs. Over twenty years later when Karl Lagerfeld was at the helm of Chanel, he updated the sling back into the Chanel ballet pump we know today. Designers have since been putting their own spin on the shoe, but it’s Alaïa who most recently made them a moment.
Ever since the fashion house debuted their crystal flats a couple of years ago they’ve been a cult favourite amongst the fashion set. We’ve seen them at Fashion Week and in street style looks aplenty, and they even made it onto The Lyst Index report’s top products of the season earlier this year. We can’t say we’re surprised.
Jeremy Moeller
It isn’t just the sparkly studs we love. Suede ballet flats and velvet iterations have entered the chat. If you’re looking for the shoes to take you through to autumn these are the textures to look to.
Vibi Venezia has chic options when it comes to velvet and if you want suede Le Monde Beryl is the brand to know.
Elsewhere, everyone is obsessed with red, well, everything, but especially red ballet flats. Whether you want a sleek Reformation pair or are into the GANNI buckle, there’s a red shoe for everyone this season. And don’t forget mesh ballet flats. TBF, how could we?! – thanks to The Row’s SS24 collection.
There’s no one way to wear the trend whether you’re loving a bubble skirt this season or complementing your denim. The humble ballet flat will go with literally anything.
The best ballet flats, at a glance
Everything you need to know about ballet flats
For more from Hattie Cotmore, follow her on Instagram @hattiecotmore.