The right pair of ballet flats can make even the simplest everyday outfit look instantly more polished.
There are some shoes that follow trends, and then there are the ones you keep coming back to. Ballet flats sit firmly in the second category. Simple, feminine and surprisingly versatile, they can make jeans look more polished, soften tailoring and give a dress an effortless finish.
Their appeal is also in the fact that they don’t ask much from an outfit. A classic black pair can become an everyday essential, while mesh, metallic, Mary Jane and square-toe versions can bring something more current to the same wardrobe.
And with designers and high-street brands continuing to reinterpret the style, ballet flats are far from being stuck in the past. From the iconic Repetto Cendrillon to contemporary shapes from Vagabond Shoemakers and Aeyde, there is now a pair for almost every kind of wardrobe.
Here are five brands worth knowing if you’re looking to make ballet flats part of your everyday style.
Repetto: The French Classic
When talking about ballet flats, Repetto is almost impossible to leave out. The French house has a genuine connection to dance, and its iconic Cendrillon flat was created at the request of actress Brigitte Bardot. The style was inspired by a ballet slipper and has become one of the brand’s signature shoes.
The Cendrillon remains beautifully simple, with its low-cut shape, soft leather and flexible construction. Repetto still uses its historic stitch-and-turn technique, which was developed by founder Rose Repetto in 1947.
That history gives the shoe a sense of character, but you don’t need to style it in a particularly French way. Wear black Repetto flats with straight-leg jeans and a crisp shirt, or pair a coloured version with a simple midi dress.
The brand also offers the Cendrillon in a range of colours, from classic black and navy to red, silver and softer shades.
Best for: Women who love timeless, feminine pieces and want a ballet flat with genuine fashion history.
Why it works: If you want the authentic ballet-flat feel with a little fashion history behind it, Repetto is the classic choice.
Instagram – @repettoparis
Vagabond Shoemakers: Modern and Minimal
For something more understated and contemporary, Vagabond Shoemakers has become a strong name to know.
The Swedish brand’s ballet-flat collection includes leather and suede styles in black, brown, beige and other wearable shades. Its designs range from classic Jolin flats to more pointed and square-toe shapes, giving the traditional silhouette a cleaner, more modern feel.
The current collection is particularly easy to work into an everyday wardrobe. A pair of brown suede flats can bring warmth to denim and knitwear, while black leather works beautifully with tailored trousers or a long coat.
Vagabond also offers Mary Jane-inspired styles, giving you the option of adding a little more detail without moving too far away from the classic flat.
This is the kind of ballet flat that doesn’t need an elaborate outfit around it. That’s part of the appeal.
Best for: Everyday dressing, minimalist wardrobes and women who prefer clean, understated shoes.
Why it works: Clean shapes, wearable colours and simple detailing make Vagabond a great choice for everyday dressing.
Instagram – @vagabondshoemakers
Aeyde: The Minimalist Fashion Choice
If your wardrobe leans towards quiet, minimalist fashion, Aeyde is worth a closer look.
The Berlin-based footwear and accessories house was founded in 2015 and has built its aesthetic around clean lines and considered proportions. Its ballerina collection includes styles made from leather, with shapes including square toes and classic flat silhouettes.
Aeyde’s approach feels particularly suited to women who like their accessories to be subtle rather than instantly recognisable. The shoes can sit quietly within an outfit while still giving it a finished look.
Try a simple black or neutral pair with wide-leg trousers and a fitted knit, or wear them with a column-style midi skirt and an oversized blazer. The cleaner the outfit, the more the shape of the shoe stands out.
For autumn, darker leather flats can also work beautifully with wool coats, knitwear and relaxed tailoring.
Best for: Women who favour quiet luxury, clean silhouettes and understated accessories.
Why it works: Aeyde proves that ballet flats can feel modern and sophisticated without relying on obvious embellishment.
Instagram – @aeyde
Charles & Keith: For a More Fashion-Forward Finish
If you want your ballet flats to have a little more personality, Charles & Keith offers plenty of room to experiment.
The brand’s UK collection includes ballerina styles in black, brown, white, pink and neutral shades. There are also different materials, including fabric, suede, satin and leather, alongside round, pointed and square-toe designs.
That variety makes the brand particularly useful if you’ve already got a classic pair and want something different. A satin flat can feel more evening-ready, while a Mary Jane-style design can give jeans and a cardigan a slightly preppy finish.
There are also embellished and bow-detail styles for anyone who prefers their shoes to become more of a feature.
The easiest way to keep these looks modern is to pair a more decorative flat with simple clothing. Let the shoes do the talking rather than competing with them.
Best for: Trend-conscious shoppers who want statement details, Mary Jane styles or something beyond the classic flat.
Why it works: Charles & Keith gives the classic ballet flat a trend-led update without making it difficult to wear.
Instagram – @charleskeithofficial
Mango: The Easy High-Street Option
For an accessible way into the trend, Mango is a useful place to look.
The brand’s UK footwear collection includes ballet flats in several finishes, including leather, velvet, denim and satin. Current styles also include bow details and mesh designs, giving you the choice between something classic and something a little more fashion-led.
One current example is Mango’s braided ballerina flat, a round-toe, flat style available in chocolate brown. The brand is also offering a mesh ballet flat with a buckle fastening, which gives the traditional silhouette a more contemporary feel.
This makes Mango particularly good for experimenting. If you’re not sure whether you’ll wear ballet flats regularly, you can try a trend-led version without making them the biggest investment in your wardrobe.
Pair a brown pair with cream trousers and a knit, or try a mesh style with straight-leg denim and a blazer.
Best for: Anyone looking for an accessible way to try the ballet-flat trend without making a major investment.
Why it works: Mango makes it easy to try different ballet-flat trends while keeping the styling simple and wearable.
Instagram – @mango
Why Ballet Flats Work So Well for Everyday Style
The real strength of ballet flats is their versatility.
They can make a pair of jeans feel more considered without turning the outfit into something formal. With tailored trousers, they add a softer touch. With a midi dress, they keep the look relaxed. And with skirts, they can create that slightly preppy, feminine feel that works particularly well during the transitional seasons.
The trick is to think about proportions.
If you’re wearing wide-leg trousers, a slim ballet flat can balance the volume. With a flowing dress, a structured or square-toe flat can give the outfit a little more definition.
And don’t feel limited to black. Chocolate brown, burgundy, cream, metallic silver and even leopard print can work just as easily with a neutral wardrobe.
What to Look for When Buying Ballet Flats
A beautiful ballet flat isn’t much use if it hurts after ten minutes.
Look for enough room around the toes and a secure fit around the heel. If you’re planning to wear the shoes for long periods, pay attention to the sole and cushioning as well.
Material is another consideration. Leather can soften with wear, while suede gives a softer autumn feel but needs more care. Mesh and satin styles can look beautiful but are generally better suited to dry days and occasions where you won’t be walking through unpredictable weather.
It’s also worth checking the sizing information for each brand. Repetto, for example, notes that some Cendrillon styles have a small fit and recommends sizing up.
Most importantly, choose a shape that works with the clothes you already own. The best pair isn’t necessarily the one everyone else is wearing. It’s the one you can imagine putting on three times a week.
A Note from Femest
Ballet flats have lasted because they don’t need to shout to make an outfit work. They’re simple enough for everyday life, but polished enough to make even the most familiar wardrobe feel a little more considered.
From Repetto’s unmistakable French classic to Vagabond’s clean shapes, Aeyde’s minimalist approach, Charles & Keith’s playful designs and Mango’s accessible take on the trend, there is plenty of room to find your own version.
Sometimes, the shoes that make the biggest difference are the ones that quietly work with everything you already love.
