Though fashion trends come and go, there are a few that almost always hold steady. Depending on who you ask, ballet flats are one of those pieces. If your eyebrow is currently raised, we’ll explain. There’s more to a ballerina style than the curved-toe, bow-topped flat shoe, with slickback styles, pointed toes, ruched silhouettes, mesh fabrications, and of course, the Mary Jane all firmly sitting under the ballet flat banner.
The Best Ballet Flats, According To marie claire:
- Best Glove Ballet Flats: Everlane The Day Glove, $275
- Best Mesh Ballet Flats: Christopher Esber Mesh Water Flat, $390
- Best High Vamp Ballet Flats: Public Desire Lost Angel, $45
- Best Cap-Toe Ballet Flat: Lipsy Patent Toecap Ballerinas, $56
- Best Ballet Pump: Therapy Diana Ballet Heels, $79.95
Even with this in mind, it’s undeniable that for many, ballet flats waned in popularity during the 2010s and early 2020s. Particularly, the bow-toed ballerina styles of our high school years. But thanks to the rise of balletcore in 2022 and “girlhood” trends shortly after, the ballet flat is once again thriving—in designer fashion houses, high street retailers and our own wardrobes. Though in fresh styles like high vamp, cap-toe and block pump.
Ahead, we explain which ballet flat styles are trending in 2026, where to shop then and offer a few pointers on styling them in your wardrobe.
Read: These Are The Sandals Brands Most Loved By Editors
High Vamp Ballet Flats
Often called the ‘mock turtleneck of shoes’, the high vamp ballet flat is an alternative to the classic low-cut slipper. While traditional ballet flats barely cover the toes, high vamp styles extend further up the foot, creating a glove-like silhouette that feels more high-fashion. Quiet luxury brands like The Row, Toteme and Soeur have championed the look. It’s a great option for those who want the comfort of a flat with the polished structure of a loafer. Because of their higher cut, they pair well with tailored trousers and midi skirts, making them a versatile staple for any capsule wardrobe.
JIL SANDER
Leather Ballerina Shoes
PUBLIC DESIRE
Lost Angel
THE ROW
Stella Leather Ballet Flats
VIVAIA
Almond-Toe Nude Flats
Cap-Toe Ballet Flats
Though the cap-toe ballet flat became synonymous with Chanel’s signature two-tone aesthetic in the 1950s, it’s firmly back in the mainstream. The 2026 update sees this classic silhouette reimagined with modern colour-blocking and contrasting textures, such as buttery suede paired with high-shine patent leather. Much like the high vamp, the cap-toe flat effortlessly anchors an outfit, creating a focal point that adds instant intentionality to your look.
NEXT AUSTRALIA
Lipsy Black Patent Toecap Ballerinas
EDWARD MELLER
Elora Cap-Toe Ballet
TORY BURCH
Cap-Toe Croc-Effect Suede Ballet Flats
NINA ARMANDO
Porsche
Ballet Flat Pumps
Often called the ballet pump or block-heel ballet, this trend has been led by brands like Miu Miu and Repetto. It offers the perfect middle ground for those who like the aesthetic of a flat but want a little extra height. By taking the classic ballerina silhouette and adding a sturdy, low-block heel—usually between 3cm and 5cm—the shoe gains more presence and lift. They are particularly great for pairing with trousers that graze the floor, as the slight elevation prevents the hems from dragging.
SAM EDELMAN
Rosa Flat
MANOLO BLAHNIK
Tweed Ballerina Flats
THERAPY
Diana Ballet Heels
TONY BIANCO
Maddi Vino Nappa
Glove Ballet Flats
If visible toe creases are enough to make your stomach turn, the fuller coverage glove style of ballet flats will be your best friend. Though once apon a time, ballet flats that extended beyond the toe crease may have been confused for an orthopaedic shoe, in 2026, they’re far more stylish. With patent styles, v-cut detailing, and even gathered styles that hit somewhere between a moccasin, a loafer, and a classic ballet flat, this is your sign to finally embrace the sweet footwear trend.
MANSUR GAVRIEL
Glove Mary Jane
EVERLANE
The Day Glove
SENSO
Cassidy I
ST. AGNI
Soft Glove Ballet Flat
Pleated Toe Mary Jane Flats
Designers have taken a more literal approach to ballet flats in recent seasons, incorporating obvious nods to the pointe shoe with pleated and square toes. We first noticed the design detail at Sandy Liang, with the Mary Jane Pointe Ballerina, which has become a signature of the label. More recently, COS has added a pleated toe flat to its core footwear collection and even Gucci sent its own interpretation of the style down the runway in its Spring/Summer ’25 show in Milan.
ANINE BING
Jolie Ballerina Flats
HM
Satin Mary Janes
GUCCI
Horsebit Ballet Flats
CHARLES AND KEITH
Emiko Satin Bow Mary Jane Flats
Mesh Ballet Flats
Mesh ballet flats is the trend that keeps on giving. Undoubtedly, the moment mesh ballet flats burst back into our lives was when Alaïa debuted its now-cult fishnet style in May 2022. Immediately, designers and high street brands alike followed suit, embracing the toe-baring style with bold colourways, crystal-embellished designs, and even reimagining the silhouette into a modern jelly sandals (in the case of the perpetually sold out style from The Row). It’s hard to know whether mesh sandals will endure another lap around the sun, but early signs are point to yes.
ALAIA
Fishnet Ballet Flat
SENSO
Jellie
CHRISTOPHER ESBER
Mesh Water Flat
WITCHERY
Mindy Mesh Flats
Pointed Toe Ballet Flat
Pointed toe heels have long been considered a flattering style. Corporate job-appropriate and impossibly leg lengthening when paired with a cocktail dress, the classic pointed toe shoe is now a ballet flat fave. Our favourite way to style this silhouette is underneath a pair of wide leg jeans, but you’ll also catch us styling them with mini skirts and party dresses during every season.
BARED
Pipilo
ATP ATELIER
Petina Lattementa Nappa Flats
ANONYMOUS COPENHAGEN
Fifi
NINA ARMANDO
Luiza
Mary Jane Ballerinas
If we had to choose one ballerina silhouette to call our favourites, it would probably be the Mary Jane. First worn by flappers in the 1920s as an appropriate heeled shoe choice for taking a spin around the dancefloor, flat Mary Jane styles are our go-to for work and play. Satin styles add a touch of whimsy to any outfit, while brown suede adds an elevated texture to a simple outfit, and we also love a timeless pair of black leather Mary Janes any day of the week.
MIU MIU
Satin Ballerina Shoes
TONY BIANCO
Hawaii Flat
BASQUE
Shay Flat Shoes
VIONIC
Alameda Mary Jane Flat
Classic Ballet Flats
The classic ballet flat is probably the one style we were most resistent to resume wearing, following many years of wearing cheap (and, let’s be honest, stinky) pairs in high school. We’re not too proud to admit that the bowed beauties really are a timeless footwear option — as proven by Chanel, which has featured the classic ballerina in its collections since the ’80s.
While you can’t really go wrong with a classic black pair, we suggest you keep it playful in 2026, with denim styles and bold prints paired with socks, sheer tights, mini skirts, and your slouchiest pair of jeans.
WITTNER
Avah Leather Ballet Flat
JANE DEBSTER
Fonteyn
MANSUR GAVRIEL
Dream Ballerina
HUSH PUPPIES
Kettle
Slingback Ballet Flat
If you’d told us that in 2025, we’d be lusting after outfits with capri pants and kitten-heeled slingbacks at their core, we’d have told you you’re dreaming. Alas, here we are. Slingback shoes are an undeniably elegant style but the silhouettes we’re currently gravitating towards are those with little to no heel, because comfort is everything and also, these pairs are chic and sexy enough without the sky high lift.
CALVIN KLEIN
Leather Slingback Ballerinas
RAYE
Dorit Flat
CHARLES AND KEITH
Barbara Patent Pearl-Bow Slingback Flats
VIVAIA
Pointed-Toe Slingback
In short: absolutely. While ballet flats have had many “comebacks,” in 2026 they have officially transitioned from a passing trend to a permanent wardrobe staple. However, the look has evolved significantly from the flimsy, thin-soled slippers of the past.
This year, it’s all about intentionality and structure. We are seeing a move toward more “architectural” silhouettes—think the high-vamp “glove” fit, square-toe finishes, and block-heel pumps that offer more support and a more polished, high-fashion edge. The 2026 version of the trend prioritizes quality materials like buttery leathers and rich suedes, making the ballet flat a key player in the “quiet luxury” movement. Whether paired with oversized tailoring or feminine midi skirts, the ballet flat remains the ultimate “cool-girl” alternative to a heel.
The best way to style your ballet flats will depend on the type you choose and also the context in which you intend to wear them. For us, ballet flats will a few gaps in our wardrobes, and we have a style to match each one.
Our favourites will always be the comfortable pair that can be worn in place of sneakers when the occassion calls, and in these instances, pairing a ballet flat with wide-leg jeans, or with crew socks and a mini skirt are our go-to outfit formulas. We also love to embrace the wrong shoe theory, which in this context, might mean wearing a dainty ballet flat with baggy tracksuit pants.
For more dressy and corporate situations, we love wearing a kitten heel or patent style with wide-leg trousers, or a flowy midi skirt and blazer combo. Our main tip is to try and inject a little bit of fun into your outfits, with a cute pair of socks or stockings, a ballet flat with an interesting print, or embrace the new neutrals (like burgundy and brown suede).
A high vamp ballet flat is defined by how much of the foot it covers. While a traditional ballet flat has a “low vamp” that barely covers the toes (often showing “toe cleavage”), a high vamp style extends much further up toward the ankle. This creates a sleek, glove-like silhouette that hugs the foot more securely. Because there is more leather—or “vamp”—visible, the shoe feels less like a flimsy slipper and more like a structured, high-fashion design.
