Not Black, Not Red: This Is the Ballet-Flats Color Fashion People Are Wearing From NYC to London

I spy an It-girl trend brewing.

Jennifer Camp Forbes's avatar
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Published In Buying Guides
Fashion collage featuring celebrities and influencers like Katie Holmes, Pia Baroncini, Lucy Williams, and Amalie Nielsen wearing chic 2026 outfits with blue ballet flats.
(Image credit: Backgrid; @piabaroncini; @amalienielsenn; @lucywilliams02)

It's no secret that I have a penchant for chic shoes, so when a new trend is brewing, I take note. Over the past few months, I've spotted fashion people on my social feeds opting for blue ballet flats over classic black and trendy red options. Honestly, I've never been one to reach for a blue shoe style, but something about it in ballet-flats form feels so fresh and on point for summer 2026. With that in mind, I set out to find my favorite pairs along with chic outfit inspiration on how to pull them off.

After a quick scroll through my Instagram and TikTok feeds, I came across four cool outfit ideas with blue ballet flats from stylish women—including Katie Holmes—in NYC, London, and Copenhagen. Each gives It-girl vibes and is super easy to re-create with pieces like pretty dresses, cool shorts, relaxed pants, and more. Keep scrolling to check out the inspiring looks, plus more standout blue ballet flats that are perfect for 2026.

Cool Outfit Ideas With Blue Ballet Flats for 2026

Outfit #1

Style influencer and designer Pia Baroncini poses on a sidewalk in NYC wearing a chic 2026 outfit idea with a ruffled minidress, a blue linen shirt tied around the waist, and blue ballet flats.

(Image credit: @piabaroncini)

Outfit #2

Danish style influencer Amalie Nielsen poses on a Copenhagen sidewalk wearing a chic 2026 outfit with a beige jacket, Virgo graphic T-shirt, bright blue shorts, and royal blue ballet flats.

(Image credit: @amalienielsenn)

Outfit #3

Katie Holmes crossing the street in NYC wearing an oversize cream blazer, a ruffled floral-print dress, and baby blue ballet flats.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

Outfit #4

British style influencer Lucy Williams crosses a street in London wearing a black leather jacket, relaxed brown pants, and bright-blue ballet flats.

(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Shop More Standout Blue Ballet Flats

Jennifer Camp Forbes
Jennifer Camp Forbes
Senior Shopping Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is a senior shopping editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities including creative director and various editor roles. She’s a well-known shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups. Jennifer's lifelong interest in fashion led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion.