5 Summer Shorts Trends Fashion People Are Styling With Their Ballet Flats This Summer
Foolproof formulas ahead.
Ballet flats and dresses have long gone hand in hand, but fashion girls are switching things up this summer. Instead, the style set is pairing their dainty shoes with shorts—specifically, the season's trendiest pairs. Whether tailored, sporty, or denim, the leg-baring silhouette gives ballet flats a fresh, fashion-forward feel.
When trying out this emerging trend, keep the "wrong-shoe theory" in mind—the viral styling concept coined by stylist Allison Bornstein in 2023. Case in point: ballet flats paired with gym shorts. Fashion insiders are particularly fond of styling bow-adorned leather flats with drawstring or mesh bottoms, as the contrasting pieces strike the perfect balance between sporty and feminine. However, if you prefer a more cohesive look, pair your ballet flats with tailored Bermuda shorts. Add a fitted blazer and crisp button-up, and you'll have an unexpectedly chic 9-to-5 ensemble.
This summer, put your styling skills to the test by pairing your beloved ballet flats with the five shorts trends below.
Bermuda
If Bermuda shorts have become a mainstay in your summer wardrobe, consider styling them with ballet flats. Linen styles are a natural match for the shoes, as are denim iterations. From there, all you need is a simple tee or tank top, as shown above.
Shop Bermuda Shorts
Crochet
No summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of crochet shorts. While the statement-making bottoms are often styled with flip-flops, consider branching out this season. Enter crochet shorts and ballet flats—a pairing you may have never thought to try (well, until now).
Shop the Look
Denim Cutoffs
How to dress up your denim cutoffs this summer? Look no further than ballet flats. Equal parts relaxed and polished, the pairing works for just about any off-duty occasion on your calendar—think post-work drinks, Saturday afternoon coffee dates, and Sundays in the park.
Shop the Look
Knit Hot Pants
Though not for the faint of heart, hot pants—especially knit silhouettes—continue to win over the fashion crowd. To temper the risqué look, pair the short shorts wth feminine staples like ballet flats. For additional coverage, throw on an oversized tee or breezy button-up.
Shop the Look
Gym
Much like hot pants, the athletic shorts trend can't seem to quit. In fact, fashion insiders are styling sweat, track, and running shorts with ballet flats, proving the unlikely pairing can feel surprisingly polished.
Shop the Look
