Dorothy-red ballet flats have been my style signature since childhood—a go-to that feels just as right with a mini skirt as it does with slouchy jeans. No trend cycle has ever shaken my loyalty. So, imagine my delight when these dainty shoes shot back up the cool charts, driven by the internet’s obsession for all things balletcore. This time around, however, ballet-themed shoes have shape-shifted into something entirely new. Call it the sneakerina or the latest iteration of the Frankenshoe to catch our fancy, but the sneaker-meets-ballet-flat hybrid is on point with our oscillating tastes. No longer just for pliés and pirouettes, today’s ballet flats are internet-approved, hybrid, ergonomic, and delightfully unhinged.
There are more pared-down versions that stay true to their roots (like those at Vivaia), while hybrid styles—like Simone Rocha’s Tracker ballerina, the OG ballet sneaker, or JW Pei’s runners—prove that function and fantasy can coexist. Miu Miu continues to set the standard for covetable shoes, while brands like Open YY and Acne Studios experiment with sportier silhouettes. Whether it’s a souped-up Mary Jane or a sneaker disguised as a flat, this is a trend that refuses to be boxed in. And honestly, why should it?
These ballet-inspired shoes are the ones worth owning, ranked from the most affordable to the ultimate luxury splurge.
