The Fashion Memo

The Best New Ballet Flats For Spring And Beyond

Easy, effortless and eminently wearable, ballet flats are a wardrobe staple. From classic silhouettes to more contemporary versions, these are the new-season styles you’ll want to add to your wish list for a super-chic summertime update

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Jasmine Dunne
Fashion
From classic black to mesh or statement red, the new summer styles are as versatile and covetable as ever

Often, the most common dilemma when putting together an outfit is finding the right shoes. Unless you have a pair of ballet flats, in which case consider all your styling woes solved. As the fashion set continually proves, they really do go with everything – and we mean everything.

At some point in the 1940s, the design made the transition from being a dance-studio essential to a polished daywear option – and has never been far from the style radar since. Synonymous with Parisian Left Bank elegance, ballet flats have graced the feet of Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn (who famously had hers made by Salvatore Ferragamo in the ’50s), and more recently, were a footwear favorite of the 2000s, worn on repeat by Kate Moss and Sienna Miller. For the past few seasons, ballet flats’ soaring popularity has been steadily transitioning the style to a firm closet staple.

Beyond their undeniable elegance, the beauty of ballet flats lies in both their versatility and comfort. Usually crafted in supple leather, mesh or suede, they fit like a glove and work just as well with breezy sundresses and straight-leg jeans as they do sharp tailoring. The spring/summer months are the perfect time to embrace lighter colors and textures, making Gabriela Hearst’s ‘Strength’ style in raffia and yellow suede the ultimate investment. They’ll look super-chic with a crisp white dress for daytime events and Capri pants on off-duty days. Elsewhere, Gucci’s monogrammed canvas-jacquard pair come in a sleek point-toe shape and have a collapsible heel, making them a little more office-ready (and helpful if you haven’t had a chance to get your summer pedi yet).

Alaïa’s mesh ballet flats have barely left our wish lists since their debut four years ago – the brand has released a new version each season that’s even more covetable than the last. This latest pair is made from mesh and has rubber outsoles that you can remove for a simpler look, giving you two ways to wear them. Their cult status means they are sure to become the talking point of all your outfits, too. Alternatively, take Christian Louboutin’s ‘Erozeena’ flats in shimmering red satin for a spin at your next evening event, styled with a black slip dress for effortless elegance.

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