Discover the ultimate guide to styling ballet flats! We’ll show you how to create stunning outfits for any event. Embrace the elegance and charm of a ballerina with these comfortable and chic shoes. Perfect for gliding through your day without the discomfort of heels!

What are ballet flats?
Ballet flats, drawing inspiration from ballerina slippers, offer comfort and style. These versatile and practical shoes have become essential for every modern woman’s closet in 2025.
Basic ballet flats trace their origins to the 16th century. Back then, both women and men wore them. Two hundred years later, flats became incredibly popular. This surge happened after Marie Antoinette’s execution in heels. People abandoned heels to avoid any association with execution. Ballet flats experienced a revival in the late 1950s. Audrey Hepburn famously wore them with skinny jeans in the movie Funny Face. Since then, ballet-inspired shoes have graced runways and high street shops. Today, ballet flats are a timeless fashion staple. They are a must-have in every woman’s shoe collection.

Audrey Hepburn revives the fashion for ballet flats in Funny Face (1957)
Ballet Flats: The Basics
Ballet flats aren’t all the same. Choose a style that matches your personality and wardrobe. Remember, ballet flats are delicate. Need a sturdier shoe? Avoid thick, heavy soles. Those aren’t true ballet flats. Consider a loafer or boot instead. When shopping, think like a ballerina and find shoes that feel light and airy.
Explore diverse styles! We highly recommend these:
1. Timeless Style: Achieve the ultimate ballerina aesthetic with classic ballet flats. Opt for a simple, slipper-like design. The bow should be understated, and the material should lie smoothly against your foot. Ensure they reveal a bit of toe and aren’t cut too high. After all, a ballerina look should be elegant, not dowdy!
2. Pointy Flats: This is a modern twist on the classic flat. Pointy flats maintain the same elegance. They should appear light and delicate. Imagine yourself ready to dance at any moment.
3. Open Side: Want a modern, sexy twist on classic shoe styles? Open-side shoes are the perfect choice. The subtle glimpse of skin and enhanced toe cleavage is incredibly flattering. Plus, they offer better ventilation for your feet.
4. Strappy: Opt for ankle or slingback straps. They enhance your ankles beautifully. Remember the key: keep it delicate. Avoid chunky straps, as they can visually shorten your legs.
Ballet flats are making a stylish comeback in 2025! These shoes, inspired by ballerinas’ ribbons and slippers, are a must-have. Get ready to fall in love with this trend all over again.

A bevvy of beautiful ballet flats, in classic, pointy, open side, and strappy styles. Photos: Cherri Bellini / Pinterest / Dress Like a Parisian / Pinterest

Style File: Celebrities wearing ballet flats
Even though celebrities might not rush for public transport or climb stairs with groceries, many opt for ballet flats over high-end heels. This choice highlights the shoe’s enduring style. Stella McCartney noted, “Wearing a flat shoe with confidence, instead of towering heels, makes a statement.” Perhaps truly powerful women prefer comfort and practicality over height.
Check out our curated collection of celebrities rocking ballet flats! Enjoy these stylish looks.

PHOTO CREDIT: Style Bistro

Allison Williams, the celebrated actress from Girls, appeared effortlessly chic at the LA Loves Alex Lemonade event. She sported vibrant red pointy ballet flats. We adore how the navy and white stripes beautifully complement the red. It’s a perfect, radiant ensemble for summer gatherings in 2025.
Karlie Kloss stuns at the Tribeca Film Festival Chanel dinner. She absolutely nails it in a pastel blue tweed outfit. This look is a perfect example of how to style beige flats flawlessly.
Taylor Swift proves ballet flats are still stylish! She adds a vibrant splash of color to her chic, casual look.
Struggling to style your black ballet flats? Look to Miranda Kerr for inspiration! And yes, that subtle toe cleavage is definitely swoon-worthy.
Sienna Miller was spotted at the Hamptons Film Festival, sporting classic red ballet flats by Repetto. This brand is a dance world icon.
Styling Inspiration
Ballet flats are a top pick for fashionable women everywhere. We’ve curated some amazing ways to style them. Discover the perfect ballet flat outfit for any event!
1. Casual Flats: Styling Tips for 2025
Ballet flats remain a wardrobe staple for relaxed, weekend looks. Pairing them with jeans and a cozy sweater or a relaxed shirt is always a stylish choice. Cuff your jeans to hit just above the ankle, around 7/8 length. If you have fuller calves, consider capri or cigarette pants instead of super skinny jeans. Ballet flats also complement leggings beautifully, provided the leggings end well above the ankle. Complete the look with an oversized tunic or knit. The key is to balance proportions, create a longer silhouette, and subtly enhance your feminine style in a tasteful and unforgettable way.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ma Mouvelle Mode / Rambles and Roses

2. Formal Flat Fashion: A Modern Guide
Stylish flats are perfect for the modern workplace. They offer comfort, keeping you relaxed and focused. Plus, they can be incredibly elegant and professional. Choose simple, neutral-colored flats for a polished and serious look.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest / Caro Daur

3. Summer Style: Mastering Ballet Flats
Summer calls for adorable dresses and flats! Ballet flats shine when worn with bare legs. A key tip: choose dresses that end above the knee. Showing some leg prevents a shortened appearance. Shorts or mini-skirts paired with flats are also fantastic for summer. They visually lengthen your legs and create a chic look with a relaxed shirt or vibrant camisole. Elevate your summer style by experimenting with ballet flats featuring ankle straps.

PHOTO CREDIT: Sincerely Jules / Kreuję Swoje Zycie

4. Winter Ballet Flats: Your Style Guide
Wearing pantyhose with flats is generally considered a fashion mistake. The reason? It often creates unflattering ankle wrinkles. It’s simply not a stylish look. If you want to wear your ballet flats during colder months, avoid pairing dresses with tights and flats. A better option is to buy sheer ballet flat socks. These socks fit inside your shoes, allowing you to wear jeans and leggings comfortably. Some fashion-forward individuals even suggest wearing well-fitting wool socks with flats, as long as the weather isn’t too cold to wear them with cropped pants.

PHOTO CREDIT: Man Repeller / Lolita by Garance Doré

How to Dress up Ballet Flats
Styling Tips
A widespread myth claims ballet flats are solely for daytime wear. We’re here to debunk that! It’s entirely possible, and highly recommended, to elevate flat shoes for evening events. Forget the days of wearing heels out and switching to flats on the way home. Let’s embrace stylish comfort all night long!
Still on the fence about flats? The Spring/Summer 2024 runways should change your mind. Flats dominated, showcasing a resurgence unseen in years. Birkenstock’s reign as brand of the year solidifies their fashion credibility. It’s a clear sign of high-fashion embracing comfort and practicality.
Elevate your ballet flats for evening wear by prioritizing fabric and embellishments over form. Opt for satin, suede, or flats with cap toes or jewels as a chic, comfortable heel alternative. Experiment with vibrant colors: neon shades are perfect for summer, gold is versatile year-round, and glossy red flats are ideal for winter 2025.
Styling Inspiration
Ballet flats are making fashion exciting again! When dressing up, feel free to play with colors, textures, and styles. Here are some looks we adore for all you style enthusiasts:

PHOTO CREDIT: The Professional Cinderella / Anita Kurkach / Life of Peam / A New Life With Fashion / Posh Life

Best Ballet Flats: Our Must-Have Pairs
Obsessed with ballet flats? You’re not alone! Begin or expand your collection with these stunning pairs. Each one receives our coveted seal of approval.



Extra Treat: Butterfly Twists Ballerina Sock, now only £5!