It's True: Cool Girls Are Ditching Black Ballet Flats and Wearing This Elevated Summer Alt Instead

The girls are still wearing ballet flats. And we say "the girls" because it feels like there isn't a single one out there, whether they pay attention to trends or not, who isn't wearing a pair. The twee footwear staple reentered the mainstream years ago and hasn't gone anywhere since. But we're not complaining. Ballet flats are beloved for a reason. They're comfortable and easy to wear.

But maybe you're a little exhausted of the ones you have worn on repeat and want to introduce something new into the rotation. Thankfully, designers are constantly innovating in the coquette shoe space, and there have never been more ballet flats to choose from. And in 2026, we've seen a particular uptick in patterned and printed ballet flats.

See the look on the runway

The trend seemed to start on the Ashley Williams S/S 26 runway, where models wore ballet flats with My Melody cartoons and phrases like "I Love Me." Because ballet flats are so inherently simple, experimenting with funky patterns and prints feels like the best way to get a look that feels more exciting without having to do too much.

Even the most exciting of prints still feels subtle in the ballet-shoe silhouette. A flashy patterned stiletto feels intimidating in a way a funky ballet flat does not. So if you're looking to expand your ballet-flat collection or are just getting started, why not opt for one that feels unlike anything you'll see elsewhere?

Shop the ballet-flat trend