Ballet flats: an essential

Fun fact – one time, my GP told me I shouldn’t wear ballet flats too much because they don’t have good enough support for walking in. I also personally feel I need more height in the sole of a shoe than ballet flats can provide me with. However, I am still a fan of the ballet flat’s style and its many variants, especially given its popularity in 2024 and the continuation into 2025. But what can ballet flats do that a pair of fashionable trainers or sandals can’t? And if, like me, you prefer a pair of shoes you can walk in comfortably, can the ballet flat trend still work for you?

Ballet pumps, as the name suggests, originated as dance shoes, lightweight and flexible to accommodate for movement. When someone refers to ballet flats or pumps, to me that’s just the everyday version of the dance shoe. With very thin soles and (typically) a rounded toe, the ballet flat has a minimal and sleek look, often with a bow to round it off. Following 2021’s ‘coquette’ style and 2023–24’s ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, ballet flats are a fitting continuation: a girlish twist on minimalism.

Even though ballet flats have limited arch support and cushioning, I still think their recent popularity comes from their comfortability. By which I don’t mean their ability not to give you blisters, because I wouldn’t credit them with that. Instead, they are a very versatile option, as you can style them for most occasions, from casual to office and formal wear. Blending the ballet flat’s formality with a more casual outfit elevates the look in a way that I don’t think a pair of trainers can. They are, then, a comfortable shoe – a pair that the wearer can depend upon to complete an outfit.

The styling possibilities really are endless – they put a dainty spin on a pair of baggy jeans and can maintain the classic silhouette of a dress or skirt. They don’t overpower but make a statement nonetheless, especially with something like a bright colour or a pointed toe. Furthermore, the ballet flat can be reinterpreted and adapted to make a stronger statement. The buckles and straps on Miu Miu ballet flats and other brands such as Reformation give the look a metallic quirkiness. Additionally, straps and buckles are a nice addition to ballet flats which makes them easier to wear, although it can make them teeter into Mary Jane territory. Maison Margiela’s tabis, which originated from the boot form, are now popular as ballet flats too. The cloven toes emanate confidence – a signifier that the wearer knows something about fashion. The statement that a pair of ballet flats makes, then, ultimately comes down to the wearer.

The merge between trainers and ballet flats is another interesting development in the ballet flat trend and a unique way to balance comfort and fashion. The thing that sticks out about the blend to me is that it’s easier to tell a vintage or higher-end look from a fast fashion one. On sites like Aliexpress and Shein, the trainer-pump is flatfooted and lacking nuance; trainers with ribbon laces, pink straps, or chrome finishing. Branded or vintage hybrids such as the Onitsuka Tiger or second-hand pairs like these carefully tread the sporty-casual-chic line in a much more successful way. Another benefit of the blend is, of course, they tend to have much better cushioning than your average ballet flat and can be worn for extended walking rather than just for fashion, with hiking and walking brands like Salomon giving their own interpretations.

Overall, the ballet flat’s key to its success is its versatility. As you might be able to tell, I like the trainer-pump hybrid, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a ballet flat’s toe under a pair of jeans or a good cherry-red ballet flat with a little black dress. Not only is the traditional pair both a casual and formal shoe, but its many alterations and twists ensure that any fashion-enjoyer can find their own favourite version of the shoe. This, to me, is what makes them a wardrobe essential.