Black Swan Style
Balletcore Is Nothing Without A Flat — Our Editors’ Stylish Ballet Flat Selections
Whether you're looking for a classic silhouette or a modern style, these flats put the "ballet" in balletcore
Kyle Lamar Rice
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October 6, 2023
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Gigi Hadid, Oliva Rodrigo, and Jennifer Lopez wearing Fall's ballet flat trend. Photo Illustration By Kyle Lamar Rice. Photography by MEGA/GC Images, Ricky Vigil M/Justin E Palmer/GC Images, Pierre Suu/GC Images
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In the 1980s TV series Fame, Lydia Grant, a revered ballet instructor played by Debbie Allen, doesn’t sugarcoat the reality when addressing the hungry young minds before her. “You’ve got big dreams. You want fame. Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying: in sweat.” She’s right; fame does cost. However, we aren’t paying in sweat to achieve it. Little did Grant know that almost four decades later, fame could more easily be achieved with the right social video and purchasing this season’s latest trend, ballet flats.
With more than 158.8 million views on TikTok, #balletflats are currently the most sought-after footwear. It was Maison Margiela who spearheaded the movement, showcasing a ballet-inspired collection for Spring 2023. Models adorned in singlets and leg warmers wore loose-fitting clothes that could allow the body to move fluidly between poses. The show’s stars, however, weren’t the clothes, but the shoes — hyper-idolized versions of traditional ballet flats, the toe box exaggerated in its blunt shape.
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Since then, many brands have taken their positions, showcasing a range of footwear that feels ballet-inspired, yet more modern and relevant to today’s stylistic sensibilities. Jeffrey Campbell’s Choreo Ballet Flat is edgy and cool, complimenting the femininity often found in this style. Vince’s Leah Ballet Flat takes the original style you love and turns it into a modernized staple. Whatever your taste, our editors have outlined the best ballet flats offered online.
Choose One Round Toe Ballet Flats
This style is classic; a traditional selection can never go wrong. It is designed with soft, pliable leather and comes in a range of colors and textures, including black, blue, brown, pink, glitter pink, yellow, snake pink, snake green, and snake black.
Home of Hai x Reqins Honoree Flats
Created in collaboration with French family-run shoe brand Reqins, the Honoree Mary Jane Flats are crafted in a patent leather that gives a reflective shine to the shoe’s surface. Shaped with a round-toed design and constructed with a rubber sole for comfort, the flats are finished with a metallic strap buckle closure.
Jeffrey Campbell Choreo Ballet Flat
Moto edge meets ballet sophistication with these Jeffrey Campbell Choreo Ballet Flats. They bring together the best of both worlds. If you enjoy a hard edge with soft femininity, they just might be the flats for you. Made of a leather and satin upper with synthetic lining and sole.
MM6 Maison Margiela Black Square Toe Ballerina Flats
Made of 100% buffed leather from Italy, these are the ballerina flats in black that inspired the resurgence. The design features a square toe, bow accent at the vamp, Maison Margiela’s signature white stitching at the heel collar, twill lining, and leather sole with rubber injection.
Band of the Free Sparrow Ballet Flat
A shankless construction (shank referring to the traditional structure of ballet flats) offers unmatched flexibility in a silky-soft ballet flat. Wrapped with elastic straps for foot security and topped with a dainty bow, these comprise of a synthetic lining and rubber sole. We also love the rose pink color.
Circus NY Teresa Ballet Flat
A subbrand of Sam Edelman, Circus NY is a younger, fresher version of its parent company with the same quality and dependability. That’s why these Circus NY Teresa Flats are some of the best ballet flats. It’s the same classic style we love, but the vanilla bean colorway feels youthful and soft compared to others in its category.
Vince Leah Ballet Flat
Selected for their modern shape and simplistic design, the Vince Lead Ballet Flats feature a squared-off toe that lends contemporary appeal to a versatile flat. It’s the perfect addition to complement a polished wardrobe that’s more about sophisticated tastes than splashy statement pieces. Lined with a cushioned footbed, leather upper, lining, and sole,
Free People Gemini Ballet Flat
Combining the best of two trends, balletcore and metallics, Free People’s Gemini Ballet Flat are the best flat shoes for a bit of style on your feet. Twin straps double the stylish sophistication of this versatile flat. We also love the worn-in texture of the metallic leather, which gives a beautiful patina look to the shoe.
Franco Sarto Flexa Amaya Ballet Flat
An updated take on the traditional ballet flat, the Franco Sarto Flexa Amaya Flats feature a metallic square toe that adds statement-making appeal. The ivory-toned soft leather is our select colorway, though it also comes in pink and black, all grounded by InFORMA comfort technology for long-lasting comfort. They’re also constructed using 50% leather sourced from a tannery that has achieved a Leather Working Group rating for energy use, waste production, and water treatment.
Steve Madden Bryar Ballet Flat
Similar to the Jeffrey Campbell Choreo Ballet Flat, these give the traditional soft, feminine flat some edge. Made of synthetic leather, the design features a triple strap silhouette, triple stack eyelets, and large buckles. They’re the perfect stylish flat shoe addition to an edgy-chic wardrobe.
MM6 Maison Margiela Blue Anatomic Ballet Flats
There aren’t a lot of ballet flats on the market that combine a sizeable heel with the silhouette. That’s why these MM6 Maison Margiela Blue Anatomic Ballet Flats are a treasure for those looking for a slight boost in height. A modified square toe, bow accent at vamp, buffed calfskin lining, and stacked leather cylindrical block heel make this flat a unique purchase, but one that feels classic and refined.
Sam Edelman Felicia Classic Ballet Flat
Sam Edelman is a brand that inspires timeless American elegance and bridges the gap between aspiration and attainability in modern luxury. These Felicia Classic Ballet Flats personify that message, combining the classic ballet flat with lux leather at a price more attainable than most products on the market. They also make the perfect comfortable work shoes on the days you might be doing some running around.
Bernardo Footwear Eloise Bow Flat
Encouraged by Vogue‘s Diana Vreeland, architect Bernard Rudofsky debuted his first collection in 1946, marking the creation of modern shoes for women. These Eloise Bow Flat are the perfect example of his success over the decades, a shoe built with incredible structure and design. The leather bow at the back of the heel, though simple, exudes an elegant detail you can’t find in many selections.
Pride yourself on shopping only the best selections when it comes to fashion? Us too. We are tastemakers dedicated to bringing you only the finest in clothing, shoes, and accessories. Shop like a Rolling Stone editor and check out more of our stylish recommendations.
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