It’s official — ballerina flats have made a resurgence. Popular in the ‘00s, these shoes were commonly spotted on Gossip Girl it-girls Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, complete with pastel tights and colourful bags.
Fast forward to 2022, ballerina flats made a comeback on the Fall/Winter runways. Brands like Miu Miu featured them prominently, pairing them with anything from school uniform-inspired looks to beach-ready get-ups.
Since then, they’ve been spotted absolutely everywhere, proving that the utility of these flats extends far beyond ballerina itself. And forget your current perception of ballerina flats as girly — there are edgy styles out there, a la Maison Margiela.
Now, satisfy the kid in you who always wanted to learn ballet by shopping flats from these 12 brands.
When rocking a pair of Miu Miu ballerina flats, you absolutely have to style them with knee-high socks, scrunching them around your calves. Don’t worry about making them look too perfect, to nail that effortless ballerina off-duty look.
If you’re looking for a pair of quality ballet flats, it doesn’t get any more authentic than Repetto Paris. A French ballet shoe company founded in 1947 by Rose Repetto, Rose was inspired to start her own brand after her son, choreographer Roland Petit, would come home from classes complaining of sore feet.
Repetto provides ballet shoes for the Opéra National de Paris and many other well-known French ballet companies, so you know their product is legit. But for fashion fans who just enjoy the style of the shoe, the brand also makes stylish, commercial ballet flats available in a myriad of colours and fabrics.
When talking about ballerina flats, the French fashion house is bound to come to mind as their timeless designs are a mainstay in Chanel’s repertoire of footwear styles. No matter if the shoes are tweed or leather, they go well with any outfit.
For a ballerina flat that’s almost as affordable as it is stylish, look no further than homegrown brand Charles & Keith. There are classic, slingback and pointed-toe styles — take your pick.
Exude sophistication with delicate lace-up ballerina flats from German brand The White Ribbon. Available in several delightful nude and neutral shades, these flats will be perfect for a night out at the ballet or even a wedding party.
Designed in New York and crafted in Italy, Mansur Gavriel is your go-to for a simple, high-quality ballerina flat, especially if you’re partial to squared-toed shoes.
Look pretty in pastels with dainty ballerina flats from PrettyFIT. Their flats come in several pleasing pastel hues and finishes such as metallic, glossy and matte. For something different, switch out the pretty bow for chain links or a horseshoe buckle.
Constructed with gleaming patent leather, Ferragamo’s elegant Vara ballerina flats are bound to turn heads wherever you go. For an added personal touch, you can even customise your Vara flats with your initials. Pointed-toe flats are more your thing? Shop their Viva range instead.
Check out Palola for thoughtfully-made leather ballerina flats — there’s even a bespoke option — made by a local shoemaker in conjunction with a leather artisan. This way, you know you’re getting the best of both worlds with every pair. From kitschy leopard print and polka dots to embossed gold lizard leather, Palola’s ballerina flats will catch your eye.
As a purveyor of ballerina flats — and only ballerina flats — you can be assured that French Sole does these shoes unlike any other brand. Crafted in Europe by artisanal shoemakers, the British brand’s ethically-sourced flats are worth checking out.
Always on-the-go? Tory Burch has you covered with their range of travel ballerina flats, designed with the mover and shaker in mind. Flexible and cushiony, the flats are designed to fold so they can be tucked into a tote or purse.
Make a statement with Maison Margiela’s Tabi ballerina flats, a spin-off of their signature Tabi boots. Love it or hate it, these avant-garde flats will double up as a conversation starter thanks to the unorthodox split-toe, inspired by traditional socks from 15th century Japan.
Text: Natalie-Elizabeth Tan/HerWorld