Style

Ballet Flats are Back!

By Paloma Frère | October 10, 2022

The white flag's been raised; the war against the ballet flat is over! In fact, it's the essential accessory of the back-to-school season. Having fallen from grace, it's back big time. Judged (unfairly?) to be too flat, too thin, too classic, the ballet flat is taking its revenge, showing up on the autumn-winter 2022-2023 runways. We spotted it at Miu Miu, Simone Rocha and even Prada.

Biography of the ballet flat

Born in the 20th century, the ballet flat was invented in 1932 by the Australian Jacob Bloch and brought to France by the French Rose Repetto. The idea? To sew a sole to a dance slipper inside out before turning it over. It's a technique called “stitch and return”! After becoming a city shoe, the ballet flat was seen on the feet of style icons like Audrey Hepburn in the 1953 William Wyler film Roman Holiday, or on Brigitte Bardot in the 1956 movie And God Created Woman.

Since, depending on trends, ballet flats have been hidden away in cupboards or dusted off and displayed like trophies. One thing is sure, this year, the ballet flat is back on centre stage. Big sister of the tennis shoe, this dance slipper guarantees a dynamic, sophisticated look. Emerging from Y2K trends, “ballet core”, and Parisian clichés, this reconfirmed major classic has signaled its return.

PRADA

Ballerines à bouts pointus en nylon NERO

£510.00

Style department

The keyword for adopting the ballet flat? Simplicity! A blazer and jeans or trousers are your allies for a flawless look with this essential. Another option: Contrast this delicate shoe with a more casual look: oversize T-shirts, baggy trousers or big wool socks will keep you warm this winter.

The selection of ballet flats on Printemps.com

For those adept at contrasting looks, go for the hybrid ballet flats by Simone Rocha and Prada, half ballet, half basketball.

PRADA

Ballerines effet baskets en cuir NERO+PETALO

£650.00

To adopt the pointy-toed trend all while keeping your feet on the ground, check out Gucci's pointy ballet flats.

PRADA

Ballerines en cuir NOIR

£690.00

Do you have a classic chic look? Having first seen the light of day in the 60s thanks to Coco Chanel, the two-tone ballet flat is the statement piece your collection's been missing.