Though fashion trends come and go, there are a few that almost always hold steady. Depending on who you ask, ballet flats are one of those pieces. If your eyebrow is currently raised, we’ll explain. There’s more to a ballerina style than the curved-toe, bow-topped flat shoe, with slickback styles, pointed toes, ruched silhouettes, mesh fabrications, and of course, the Mary Jane all firmly sitting under the ballet flat banner.
Even with this in mind, it’s undeniable that for many, ballet flats waned in popularity during the 2010s and early 2020s. Particularly, the bow-toed ballerina styles of our high school years. But thanks to the rise of balletcore in 2022 and “girlhood” trends shortly after, the ballet flat is once again thriving — in designer fashion houses, high street retailers, and our own wardrobes.
Ahead, we explain which ballet flat styles are trending in 2025, where to shop then and offer a few pointers on styling them in your wardrobe.
How To Style Ballet Flats
The best way to style your ballet flats will depend on the type you choose and also the context in which you intend to wear them. For us, ballet flats will a few gaps in our wardrobes, and we have a style to match each one.
Our favourites will always be the comfortable pair that can be worn in place of sneakers when the occassion calls, and in these instances, pairing a ballet flat with wide-leg jeans, or with crew socks and a mini skirt are our go-to outfit formulas. We also love to embrace the wrong shoe theory, which in this context, might mean wearing a dainty ballet flat with baggy tracksuit pants.
For more dressy and corporate situations, we love wearing a kitten heel or patent style with wide-leg trousers, or a flowy midi skirt and blazer combo. Our main tip is to try and inject a little bit of fun into your outfits, with a cute pair of socks or stockings, a ballet flat with an interesting print, or embrace the new neutrals (like burgundy and brown suede).
The Best Ballet Flats To Shop In 2025
Glove Ballet Flat
If visible toe creases are enough to make your stomach turn, the fuller coverage glove style of ballet flats will be your best friend. Though once apon a time, ballet flats that extended beyond the toe crease may have been confused for an orthopaedic shoe, in 2025, they’re far more stylish. With patent styles, v-cut detailing, and even gathered styles that hit somewhere between a moccasin, a loafer, and a classic ballet flat, this is your sign to finally embrace the sweet footwear trend.
Pleated Toe Mary Jane Flats
Designers have taken a more literal approach to ballet flats in recent seasons, incorporating obvious nods to the pointe shoe with pleated and square toes. We first noticed the design detail at Sandy Liang, with the Mary Jane Pointe Ballerina, which has become a signature of the label. More recently, COS has added a pleated toe flat to its core footwear collection and even Gucci sent its own interpretation of the style down the runway in its Spring/Summer ’25 show in Milan.
Mesh Ballet Flats
Mesh ballet flats is the trend that keeps on giving. Undoubtedly, the moment mesh ballet flats burst back into our lives was when Alaïa debuted its now-cult fishnet style in May 2022.
Immediately, designers and high street brands alike followed suit, embracing the toe-baring style with bold colourways, crystal-embellished designs, and even reimagining the silhouette into a modern jelly sandals (in the case of the perpetually sold out style from The Row). It’s hard to know whether mesh sandals will endure another lap around the sun, but early signs are point to yes.
Pointed Toe Ballet Flat
Pointed toe heels have long been considered a flattering style. Corporate job-appropriate and impossibly leg lengthening when paired with a cocktail dress, the classic pointed toe shoe is now a ballet flat fave. Our favourite way to style this silhouette is underneath a pair of wide leg jeans, but you’ll also catch us styling them with mini skirts and party dresses during every season.
Anine Bing Nikki Leather Shoes
$390 (usually $650) at The Iconic
Manolo Blahnik Campari Patent Mary Jane
$1,415 at Mytheresa
Mary Jane Ballerinas
If we had to choose one ballerina silhouette to call our favourites, it would probably be the Mary Jane. First worn by flappers in the 1920s as an appropriate heeled shoe choice for taking a spin around the dancefloor, flat Mary Jane styles are our go-to for work and play. Satin styles add a touch of whimsy to any outfit, while brown suede adds an elevated texture to a simple outfit, and we also love a timeless pair of black leather Mary Janes any day of the week.
Classic Ballet Flat
The classic ballet flat is probably the one style we were most resistent to resume wearing, following many years of wearing cheap (and, let’s be honest, stinky) pairs in high school. We’re not too proud to admit that the bowed beauties really are a timeless footwear option — as proven by Chanel, which has featured the classic ballerina in its collections since the ’80s.
While you can’t really go wrong with a classic black pair, we suggest you keep it playful in 2025, with denim styles and bold prints paired with socks, sheer tights, mini skirts, and your slouchiest pair of jeans.
Slingback Ballet Flat
If you’d told us that in 2025, we’d be lusting after outfits with capri pants and kitten-heeled slingbacks at their core, we’d have told you you’re dreaming. Alas, here we are. Slingback shoes are an undeniably elegant style but the silhouettes we’re currently gravitating towards are those with little to no heel, because comfort is everything and also, these pairs are chic and sexy enough without the sky high lift.
