By Brittany Romano and Jake Smith
The best ballet flats are as timeless as a crisp white T-shirt or a breezy button-down. The style has leaped from dance to fashion, landing in the wardrobe of Hollywood royalty and actual royalty alike—from Audrey Hepburn and Kate Middleton to Mindy Kaling, J.Lo, and Bella Hadid. High heel pumps
The ballerina may lean prim, but its inherent versatility transcends aesthetics and personal styles. Karen Giberson, president of the Accessories Council, which represents some of the world’s most notable shoe brands, echoes this, telling Glamour that this blend of comfort and style has made the shoe an eternal classic. And while the shoe has never left the zeitgeist, she says it’s reemerging as a fashion favorite for 2023: “Designer brands have added a variety of colors and clever touches as straps, even with logos, to customize the silhouette for their brand.”
Case in point: Miu Miu notably leaned into the traditional pointe look last year, adding a big logo to the strap and kicking off the balletcore trend. For spring, Khaite and The Row took a more modern approach to the ballet flat, designing scrunched silhouettes that snuggle the foot in crystal-adorned mesh and buttery leather with Mary Jane straps. Of course, finding the best ballet flats boils down to personal preference and need—are you looking for a comfortable, durable walking shoe that can survive unpredictable weather and log miles? Or do you want an embellished style to pair with your wedding guest dress?
If you’re shopping with a specific season in mind, consider the materials: A suede or satin style is great for fall and winter, whereas in the summer you’ll likely want to reach for something more breathable like raffia or a luxe leather that won’t give your heels blisters. If you’re flat-footed or need additional arch support, look for a pair with cushioned insoles and elastic straps. If you have narrow or wide feet, a pair of shoes with extended widths or that come in half sizes is probably ideal. These are the best ballet flats to wear right now—and we suggest you don’t limit yourself to just one pair.
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Best Overall Ballet Flats: Madewell Greta Ballet Flats
Madewell’s ever popular ballerinas score major points in the style department—just look at that perfect silver finish that’s just the thing for 2023—but they’re also relatively comfortable, featuring the brand’s proprietary padding. Add sustainably sourced leather and a contrasting top strap and you have the shoe of the moment.
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Most Comfortable Ballet Flats: Vionic Joseline Flats
Planning on spending all day in your ballet flats? You’ll need a pair of walking shoes that prioritizes comfort and style—and that’s what Vionic does best. Designed with an EVA footbed to provide plenty of arch support and minimize underfoot fatigue, this buttery-soft leather ballet flat won’t leave you with blisters or pain. Plus, the strap keeps it on your feet while adding a stylish extra touch.
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Best Embellished Ballet Flats: Free People Mystic Mary Jane Flats
It’s rare to find an embellished ballet flat that reviewers rave about being both comfortable and stylish, but that’s exactly the case with these studded flats. The cushioned footbed and adjustable ankle strap make these a fan favorite for wearing with both dresses and jeans.
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Best Value Ballet Flats: Sailing Lu Bow-Knot Ballet Flats
Meet your new go-to flat (with a price tag that won’t break the bank). Constructed from microsuede with a bow-knot top, these Amazon bestsellers will take you from the office to after-hours drinks. There are dozens of colors to choose from, ensuring you’ll find the right pair for your wardrobe. Best part? No one will ever guess you spent only $29 on ’em. (One reviewer even claims they’re machine-washable.)
Best Classic Ballet Flats: J.Crew Zoe Ballet Flats
Prefer a traditional rounded-toe style that’ll last you through many trend cycles to come? These leather flats come in three simple shades (black, brown, and blush) and feature a subtle bow, a slightly higher vamp, and full-toe coverage. Dress them up for holidays with a midi or down for everyday wear with jeans; either way, reviewers say they are not a want, but a need.
Best Ballet Flats for Work: Repetto Cendrillion Ballerinas
If you’re thinking of investing in a classic flat to wear to work in lieu of loafers, you can’t go wrong with any Repetto style—Kate Moss used to wear hers all the time. They exist in patent leather, too, but the napa calfskin leather is the French brand’s most popular offering. A cushioned footbed provides enough support for long days. Sizing can be inconsistent, but we’ve found it’s best to size down if you’re unsure of your perfect fit.
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Best Minimalist Ballet Flats: Everlane Italian Leather Day Gloves
The reason shoppers love Everlane’s minimalist flat? They look great with almost everything, from skirts to wide-leg pants and vintage-inspired jeans. The buttery-soft Italian leather molds to your feet and becomes more comfortable with each wear. There are also perforated side vents that keep you from overheating, plus padded insoles for extra support.
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Best Square-Toe Ballet Flats: Vagabond Shoemakers Delia Flats
If you’re on the hunt for a pair of ballet flats without a rounded or pointed toe, Vagabond’s Delia flats need to be on your list. They blur the line between ballerinas and Mary-Janes, with a thin, adjustable strap that only adds to their coquettish charm. Choose black, beige, maroon, or lipstick red—there’s no going wrong here.
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Best Designer Ballet Flats: Miu Miu Ballerina Flats
Stylists and fashion insiders can’t get enough of Miu Miu’s ballerinas right now—and can you blame them? These are the hyper-branded shoes that spurred fashion’s renewed obsession with the silhouette, featuring delicate bows, a branded strap, and all the cool-girl clout you’ve ever wanted.
Review: No reviews at time of publishing.
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Best Velvet Ballet Flats: Alex Mill Drogheria Crivellini Mary Janes
Spend enough time around the fashion crowd and you’ll notice its penchant for Alex Mill’s velvet ballerinas, which have a tendency to sell out. (Thankfully, restocks are never too far away.) These Mary Janes look like something you might have worn as a schoolgirl, but are elevated with contrasting trim and stylish color combinations. They have virtually no support, but you can augment your pair with orthotics and additional outsoles—just find a local cobbler and make them life-proof.
Best Slingback Ballet Flats: Steve Madden Belinda Flats
Love Chanel’s slingbacks but wish you had a worthy contender in your price range? Check out Steve Madden’s Belinda flats, which are available in two-toned color-block designs. Each option features a one-inch block heel with an adjustable back strap that takes from its high-end counterpart. In fact, reviewers claim this shoe not only looks more expensive than it is, but is also low-key more comfortable than Chanel’s version.
Best Buckled Ballet Flats: Ganni Wide Welt Buckle Ballerinas
The flat can get boring quickly, but Ganni’s hardware-heavy take is a welcome breath of fresh air. There’s a lot going on here—heavy buckles, slingback straps, eyelets, wide rubber soles—but it all manages to work in harmony. Snag a pair while you still can; they’re Instagram superstars and are bound to sell out soon.
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Best Mesh Ballet Flats: Dear Frances Balla Mesh Ballerina Flats
One of the year’s most covetable shoe trends is the mesh ballet flat, which trades in traditional leather uppers for more sheer, breathable material. Dear Frances makes some our favorites, featuring luxe leather soles and durable mesh that more than justify the splurge. They’re free from embellishments—all the better to keep things from getting too busy—and we can imagine returning to these season after season, especially when it’s warm out.
Best Satin Ballet Flats: Bibi Lou Bow Flats
Add just the right level of glitz and glam to your outfit with these Bibi Lou flats, which are available in five festive colors. The crystal-embellished bow and adjustable strap will give your favorite black heels a run for their money.
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Best Printed Ballet Flats: Boden Flexible-Sole Ballet Flats
No surprise here: Preppy-cool retailer Boden makes some of the best ballet flats on the market. Super slim and embellished with bows and contrasting stripes down the back, they’re effortless to style with your existing wardrobe. You can absolutely get classic shades like red, gold, and black, but the brand’s zebra and leopard ponyskin options are the clear standouts of the bunch.
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Best Patent Leather Ballet Flats: Larroudé Blair Ballet Flats
Patent ballet flats are the weatherproof cousin to their leather counterparts, thanks to a glossy finish that’s easy to clean and inherently water-resistant. Our favorite pick? Larroudé’s Blair ballet flats. While this flat comes in five colors (ranging from floral embroidery to metallic silver), the black version is the only pair offering a sleek base and adjustable strap that will remain intact rain or shine.
Best Sequined Ballet Flats: Zara Sequined Ballet Flats
Live out your prima ballerina fantasies in these sequined flats from Zara. Paired with a billowy maxiskirt, loose denim, or a tailored suit, they’ll make any outfit that much dreamier.
Best Studded Ballet Flats: Reformation Bethany Ballet Flats
Beautiful Sandals Lean into your Black Swan side with this pair of flats, which add an edge to the traditional silhouette with studded black leather uppers. The result looks like Alaïa or old Céline—perfect for pairing with romantic fall dresses and structured trousers alike.