Let’s be real: the ballet flat is one of the most underrated shoes of the moment, and it deserves it’s time to shine. While girls are reaching for Mary Janes and wedges, we’re always ready to shamelessly rock some comfy, casual, and chic ballet flats. Easy to walk in and just the right amount of understated, ballet flats don’t leave your feet unbearably sore like most 4-inch heels.
While there will always be a place for the classic high heel, it’s just impractical to wear them everyday. And that’s where our ballet flats come into play. Style icons like Victoria Beckham and Alexa Chung have been known to turn to a trusty ballet flat for the comfy yet stylish alternative it lends to the beloved pump. And they truly are on to something—ballet flats are addictive. They’re the perfect blend of on-trend and timelessness.
Legend has it that the ballet flat made its way into the footwear scene in the 1950s with Audrey Hepburn. Always an advocate for less-is-more, the ballet-trained starlet started wearing her ballet slippers as streetwear to achieve her completely minimalist aesthetic.
And still today, the style is an essential staple. Whether you’re headed to your morning commute or taking a stroll downtown, nothing beats tying your day looks together with a cool and casual pair of flats. Or, if you’re headed out for a small get together with your friends, you can always play up your style with a posh pair for the night. Keep your style low-key with classic black ballet flats, or go above and beyond with bold patterns and color-blocks. Whatever your overall look is, it can seamlessly be topped off with a pair of go-to ballet flats.
This fall, let’s use ballet flats to shake up our transitional styling. These minimal-effort shoes are practically made for the autumn season with their laidback persona, and they work with most of our style staples. From white jeans to flannels, ballet flats make a major statement from the moment you step out the door. So, dare to ditch the heel this season and keep things casual in these classic shoes.
If you need to detox your shoe closet, go out with the old and in with the new by tossing your summer sandals away and grabbing some of these fresh ballet flats. These shoes will breathe an air of newness into your day-to-day style, and we guarantee you’ll become just as hooked as we are. These ballet flats will surely make a head-turning statement while you’re walking around, and they’ll feel so lightweight and comfy that you’ll barely feel them on throughout the day. So, mix your style with some comfort this fall and grab a pair of this season’s most sought-after (and most comfortable) ballet flats.
Let’s amp up your shoe game. Switch things up with our pick of ballet flats.
The Classic
One of the first pairs of flats almost every girl had were the classic plain black pair from Jessica Simpson. They’re a modern icon: the slim black color is given an extra edge from the metal heel, taking an ordinary design and completely remodeling it in the subtlest way possible. The minimal physique of these shoes let’s you pair them with any outfit of your choosing: go casual with your comfiest white t-shirt and jeans, or dress up for a night out by wearing these flats with a flattering bodycon dress. No matter what your style is, you can always tie in these classic black ballet flats.
Hear Me Roar
Want to live out your animalistic dreams? Then strap on these leopard-print ballet flats. They give any outfit a wild side, but stay sophisticated in manner through the patent toe strap and calf hair material. And if comfort is your concern, these flats have a padded footbed to keep your feet in full support, no matter how long your city trek may be.
Strappy Style
If you’re into switching up the classics, then take a look at these strapped-up flats from J. Crew. These shoes are a complete remix of the average black ballet flat, but still stays minimal enough to be considered an everyday shoe. This velvet number has two straps to keep your feet secured in place while giving your shoes a whole new identity. The short heel and subtle square toe makes you feel like you’re walking on air as you rush down the street. They’re an essential pick for giving any cropped jeans or midi skirt a simple twist for the fall.
Spilling The Tea(l)
For a pop of color in your autumn wardrobe, play around with your shoe’s color palette. Just because your ballet flats have minimal height doesn’t mean they have to stick to the basic shades like black and white. There are tons of shades, patterns, and even textures to choose from — like these suede teal flats from Yosi Samra. The muted blue hue is the perfect fit for spicing up any ensemble. But the true treasure about these ballet flats are that they’re foldable, so you can tuck them away in your favorite tote to whip them out when you need to make the big switch from heels.
Transparency
To really kick things up a notch with your flats, reach for a pair that fuses all of your favorite designs into one delicate shoe. These ballet flats from Sole Society do just the trick when it comes to combining trending looks: polka dots, sheer mesh, and nude suede? This may sound like too much on paper, but these shoes somehow pull it all off in the most office-friendly way possible. You can easily slip these on for a big meeting, and you can strut into the post-shift happy hour in ease. It’s the perfect styling multi hyphenate for fall fashion.
Americana Approach
The rustic red of these AGL ballet flats are exactly what we look for in our autumn style. Not only do they match the ethereal hue of the red leaves falling to the ground, but they remind us of Dorothy’s red slippers — if they were all grown up, of course. These shoes flirt with style by mixing and matching textures, a subtle juxtaposition notified by a single belt decor. The play on a suede body and patent leather toe makes these shoes a quirky, playful choice to shake up any outfit for this transitional season.
Floral Flare
For a refreshing floral take this season, try on these ballet flats from Taryn Rose. These shoes seem to make the gloomy fall weather a little brighter with its minimal black rosette. The squared toe allows you to slip your feet into these shoes with ease, making them as stylish as they are comfortable. You can wear these with any of your fall outfits for an an added pep in your step, without being overbearing. If you want some more color, then choose one (or all) of the five other colors available to match your shoes to your mood of the day.
Star Light, Star Bright
Don’t settle for black basics yet again. Give your step an iridescent magic by slipping into these metallic ballet flats. These luminous shoes can add a sparkle to any toned-down outfit, and add a fun little twinkle into your day to day outfits. They’re casual enough to wear at any moment, and if you’re daring enough, you can even rock them at your work cubicle.
The Nudist
Nude hues have reigned supreme for 2018, and this flesh-toned palette doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. So, embrace the color trend of the year by putting on these nude Jimmy Choo ballet flats. These flats are minimal in design, staying strictly to the classic composition of he average ballet flat. But, it’s given just a touch of ecstatic attitude through the metallic hemline, making them the best fit for day-to-night outfits. The small front tie adds an extra feminine flare, creating a fun and flirty attitude t dance the night away in.
Ethereal Aesthetic
Want to stay on par with the changing leaves? Then step into these Frye ballet flats. The mustard-yellow tone of these leather flats is identical to the leaves on the ground, creating the ultimate fall footwear look. The antiqued finish on these shoes creates a rustic, Americana air that transports us to the celestial feel of the Catskills — even when we’re trudging through midtown. Not to mention, the buttery-soft leather material has the most comfortable feel you could ever slide your foot into.
