The Classic, Anti-Trend Flats Everyone Will Wear This Summer

A collage of two images. The first is a woman wearing a white halter top, black shorts, and black flats sitting on a boat. The second is an image of Chanel ballet flats lined up on a rug.

Flats are the shoes to own. It's been that way since last year when flats absolutely took over the fashion scene and showed up everywhere in the market, with styles ranging from mesh Mary Janes to floral-embroidered styles to sheer rhinestone-embellished versions. We are still seeing the proliferation of all things flat shoes, and if you have already stocked up on trendy pairs and are thinking of investing in some styles to last far beyond a single season, I have you covered.

Ahead, I have rounded up the best anti-trend, classic flat shoes to invest in. To make the cut, every style had to check a few boxes. Each pair needed to have a timeless silhouette, versatility for styling, and a shade that goes beyond the color trends of the moment. Here, shop the best classic flat shoes to add to your wardrobe for summer and many seasons beyond.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury and runway content as well as wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and MyTheresa, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.