Simple but also elegant. Stylish but also comfortable. Ballet flats are timeless yet also bang on trend. Plus, you can wear them with absolutely anything to add some French-chic style to your outfits. Below, you’ll find the best ballet flats to go with everything from a casual blouse and jeans to a formal ballgown.
Celebrity ballet flat wearers
Ballet flats obviously have their origin in dance. However, the ballet flat has developed into a shoe to wear off stage and has gained legions of fans over the decades because of its nonchalant, running-errands-around-Paris styling.
In the late 1950s, Bridget Bardot wore a red pair in And God Create Women while Audrey Hepburn famously donned her iconic ballet flats and polo neck outfit in Funny Face.
The style then enjoyed a resurgence in the noughties when supermodel Kate Moss wore her flats with her jeans, and she has stayed loyal to her Repetto brand over the years. Actress Sienna Miller, the late Amy Winehouse and the Duchess of Sussex have also been fans.
Best ballet flats for 2020
Ballet flats are definitely still on trend for 2020, as proven on the summer runways with Mui Mui’s woven ballet style (above).
The best ballet flats: Repetto flats
British supermodel Kate Moss has been a huge fan of her Repetto flats for decades, wearing them with everything from skinny jeans to shorts.
More of classic best ballet flat brands to try
Kate Spade
Kate Spade‘s Kora flats have classic styling and a clean aesthetic, finished with the designer’s iconic spade hardware. Choose from a bright shade or neutrals.
Kate Spade New York ‘Kora’ flat
Tory Burch ‘Minnie’ ballet flats
When you think of ballet flats, Tory Burch is definitely one of the brands that springs to mind immediately.
The Minnie style is in stock year after year in different shades and is the perfect choice for travelling or switching from your heels after a long night, as the split sole and flexible construction makes it easy to fold into the included shoe bag.
Tory Burch ‘Minnie’ travel flats
Sam Edelman
Sam Edelman‘s Felicia shoe is another style you can guarantee will return in different colors each season. This summer, choose from pretty pastels, attention-grabbing brights or animal prints.
Josef Seibel
If you need a shoe with extra support, Josef Seibel is definitely a brand worth considering. The air-cushioned sole means you can wear its Pippa flat all day.
You’ll find more arch support inspiration in this article.
ARA
A classic style with a slim bow and a very small heel, the Scout flat by ARA is an elegant choice to wear with anything.
Rockport
Another good comfort brand choice, Rockport gives a different twist to its Adelyn flat with the slightly pointed toe.
Rockport ‘Total Motion – Adelyn’ flat
Kenneth Cole New York ballet flats
Kenneth Cole’s Balance flat features a dainty bow and striped heel detail.
Kenneth Cole New York ‘Balance’ flat
Gentle Souls
If you’re a fan of minimal styling, then the Gentle Souls Eugene travel flat (below) could be the style for you. Choose between classic tan or black.
Gentle Souls Signature ‘Eugene’ travel flat
FitFlop
When choosing a pair of flats, all-day comfort is important. The FitFlop Allegro (below) is usually updated in different shades each season, and features a contoured, cushioned footbed with American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance.
Cole Haan ballet flats
For a romantic addition to your outfit, how about choosing Cole Haan’s Tali ballet flats which feature a distinctive bow?
Minnetonka
Simple, yet stylish, Minnetonka’s black Anna ballerina flats (below) are deliberately, minimally styled to give them versatility.
Minnetonka ‘Anna’ ballerina flat
Lucky Brand
With an elasticated topline, Lucky Brand’s ballet flats (below) are designed so they don’t slip around on your feet as you walk. Choose from coated cork, fabric or leather.
1901
If you like to add a little height rather than having a completely flat shoe, then the 1901 Bryn style (below) is worth considering. Opt for snake print, or a soft suede in either orange or navy.
Ted Baker London
Shoes can be the perfect way to add some pizzazz to an outfit. The bold detailing of the Ted Baker Sually (below) means you can keep the rest of your look very simple.
Ted Baker London ‘Sually’ flat
Marks & Spencer
A key shoe trend for summer 2020, is woven leather. The silver ballet flats from M&S (below) will go with pretty much anything in your closet. They would look lovely with either white or black for summer.
Amazon
A good budget option if you are looking for a pair of flats for running errands, heading off on vacation, or you want to buy a number in different colors, are these essential flats from Amazon (below).
Most reviewers say they are good quality, well made and supportive.
What to wear with your ballet flats
Now that you’ve chosen your favorite pair of ballet flats, what should you wear with them? Well, the answer is, pretty much anything!
Below is some inspiration for you on what to wear with your ballet flats.
Kimba (above) matches her black ballet flats to the zebra stripes on her blouse.
Recreate her outfit with this similar pair of flats, blouse and jeans.
Carrie (above) chooses to keep her outfit coordinated with her leopard print top and matching ballet flats.
Check out these similar leopard flats, shirt, cardigan, skinnies, handbag and sunglasses.
Fonda (above) wears her ballet flats with slimline pants.
Steal her look with this similar pair of flats, blazer, pants and scarf.
Tanasha (above) wears a pair of quilted ballet flats with her leather-look leggings.
Check out this similar quilted flats, top, cardigan, leggings, handbag and sunglasses.
Nadine (above) shows that ballet flats can go beautifully with a dress as well as jeans and pants. She picks up the green in her dress in her shoes.
Steal her look with this similar pair of green flats, printed dress, handbag, earrings and sunglasses.
Ashley (above) opts for minimal styling with her tan ballet flats and striped maxi dress.
Check out this similar pair of flats, striped maxi dress, denim jacket, handbag and necklace.
Rocio (above) wears silver flats with her below-the-knee skirt.
Recreate her outfit with these similar flats, shirt, leather skirt and sunglasses.
Dahlia (above) mixes urban and classic styling with her denim jumpsuit combined with black ballet flats.
Steal her look with this similar pair of scalloped flats and denim jumpsuit.
Continue reading:
- How To Create A Shoe Capsule Wardrobe
- How To Wear Flat Shoes And Not Look Frumpy
- Best Shoes With Arch Support – Comfortable Walking Shoes To Walk In All Day!
Like this post on the best ballet flats? Share it on Pinterest!
Feature image by Kimba
Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.
You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!
Volks walkers are the most comfortable pair of flats I have ever worn. The footbed is amazing! All day comfort soft leather and bright colors. I now own three pairs!
I can’t believe you didn’t mention Clarks. I have a pair of ballet flats I bought from them last year, and it’s the most comfortable pair I have ever worn. They have enough arch support that I can wear them all day long at work without ending with foot pain. I have even worn them when I traveled. They look super cute, and go with everything. I may have to buy another pair in another color.
Thanks for your suggestions. If you have a link to your shoes, we will be able to add them 🙂
Unfortunately, it looks like they don’t have the exact model anymore on the website. Mine is a leather flat with a patent leather toe box, and a small buckle. The rubber outsole was the key feature for comfort, but they still look dressy enough. The closest I found are the Un Darcey Go.