Yep, This "Boring" Shoe Trend Is Back in Business

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(Image credit: Miu Miu F/W 22; Imaxtree)

If you thought ballet flats peaked in the early aughts, think again. Sure, the likes of Sienna Miller and Kate Moss sporting them with skinny jeans, denim miniskirts, tank tops, and waistcoats unquestionably put ballet pumps on the fashion map, but then the versatile shoes took somewhat of a sartorial sabbatical, dipping in and out of the limelight. That is until now. The feminine-meets-functional shoes are well and truly back in business and better than ever. 

The recent spring and fall 2022 runways might have something to do with it. Miu Miu (the label that gave is this year's most popular miniskirt) lead the charge on the runways, where dainty ballet slippers were spotted with knee-length socks, serving as a sweet and sensuous take on the trend. Chanel had fresh takes on the Parisian-loved shoes with details such as delicate chain anklets. And the fashion set has been quick to catch on. Ballet pumps have been spotted on the streets at fashion week and all over Instagram. 

So if you're looking to get in on the balletcore trend this season, get inspired by the shoes in action below and then shop our favorite ballet flats that can easily be styled with everything from miniskirts to ball gowns (The Kate Moss–esque skinny jeans are optional.) 

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On the runway:
(Image credit: Miu Miu F/W 22; Imaxtree)

Silk ballet slippers came in a variety of saccharine hues on the F/W 22 runway at Miu Miu, styled with scrunched knee-length socks—just as we'd like to wear them come fall.

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(Image credit: Chanel S/S 22; Imaxtree)

Chanel gave us fresh takes on classic ballet pumps with delicate details such as chain anklets.

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(Image credit: Molly Goddard S/S 22; Imaxtree)

Ballet pumps came in pops of color at Molly Goddard and were tied around the ankle in ballerina form.

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On the fashion set:
(Image credit: @alexachung)

Alexa Chung has always had a penchant for ballet flats—we love the Mary Jane silhouette of these paired with socks.

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

For French women, ballet flats are a year-round classic that never goes out of style. Jeanne Damas grounds her statement look with a neutral pair at Paris Fashion Week.

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(Image credit: @devonleecarlson)

Leaning into the Y2K trend, Devon Carlson styles black ballet flats with a low-rise slip skirt and moto jacket, cleverly making it all work.

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(Image credit: @fakerstrom)

Influencer Felicia Akerstrom styles a pair of chic Chanel pumps with this season's trending miniskirt—a stylish match made in heaven.

Shop ballet flats:

Up next, 5 Flat-Shoe Trends That Are Destined for Fame This Spring and Summer

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for nearly a decade. Judith started on the Shop Who What Wear team, creating content and managing a team of merchandisers for the Who What Wear shopping app. She later crossed over to the editorial team, where she shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands in her shopping-focused stories and social takeovers. She has become one of the top affiliate earners during her six plus years at Who What Wear. Before working in fashion, Judith was a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) and shared her passion for travel and food. She studied at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She later studied fashion merchandising and design, which laid the foundation for her career in fashion.


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