With the hottest items of fall/winter 2023 season in our midst, a certain footwear trend has been making its rounds on the internet. We’re talking about ballet flats–and we have the comeback of Y2K kitsch to thank for that. Once a noughties It-item staple that added the perfect finishing touch to skinny jeans and velour miniskirts, the ballet flat is back in the limelight again with a modern twist.
The early aughts saw dance films take over the big screen with the likes of Billy Elliot, Center Stage and Step Up. The ballerina’s wardrobe captured the attention of many and while becoming one may not have been attainable for most, dressing like one certainly was. A bodysuit, leg warmers and ballet flats was all one needed to pull off the look. Fast forward to 2023 and the aesthetic has proven its popularity yet again, sitting at the intersection of athleisure and ultra-femininity. The newest iteration of balletcore sees layered wrap skirts, a myriad of bow accessories and of course, ballet flats.
While some classic pieces have made it to cult status (think: Sandy Liang), other brands fashioned the silhouette to suit their brand ethos. Versace’s spring/summer 2024 saw metallic and satin buckled ballet flats adorned with a structured bow, while Jacquemus’s fall 2023 ready-to-wear runway encompassed models in dainty heels with a boxy toe, much like a ballerina’s pointe shoe. Following its pink PP collection, rebellion meets refinement with Valentino’s Garavani Rockstud ballet flat, redefined in satin, patent leather and crystals.
If you’re on the search for an evergreen pair that’s subversive yet sophisticated, look no further than these Vogue-approved picks of ballet flats.
