From minimalist flats to Barbiecore-style ballerinas, this year’s biggest shoe trend comes in all forms. Shop our favourite styles here
What do Jane Birkin, Alexa Chung, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and Kate Middleton have in common? Besides being recognised as arbiters of style, these ladies all share a penchant for ballet flats. Also known as ballet shoes, or ballerinas, the shoes were originally made for the stage: in the 1730s, legendary French dancer Marie Camargo became the first ballerina to perform in a pair of ballet slippers instead of heels, all the better to show off her fancy footwork.
Today, you need no such dancing ability to flaunt your ballet flats. You can easily slip them on with your favourite summer dress as you head out for a brunch date, or pair them with a colour-blocking tailored ensemble for the office. The appeal of ballet flats lies in their versatility and their comfort, so it’s little wonder why so many of our favourite fashion brands have offered up their iteration of the timeless style staple in recent season. Here, we pick some of the best ballet shoes to add to your wardrobe now.
Read more: Chanel celebrates French girl style in its haute couture fall/winter 2023 collection
1. Repetto ‘Gianna’ ballerinas
Before they became the reigning shoe trend of 2023, ballet flats owed much of their popularity to Repetto. The Paris-based shoe brand was founded by Italian designer Rose Repetto, who created a pair of ballet flats—the Cendrillon Ballerinas—for French actress Brigitte Bardot in 1956. Bardot proved that they were perfect for the city, and Repetto would continue to design chic versions of ballet flats for the everyday—like these new Gianna Ballerinas. Besides coming in a soft pink hue that will speak to your childhood dream of becoming a ballerina, the Gianna also features a crossed elastic detail that promises a snug and comfortable fit.
Available on repetto.com
