The Resurgence of the Ballet Flat: A Timeless Staple

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As we are nearing to the end of 2025, it is exciting to look back on which fashion trends have resurfaced this year. Ballet flats have made a strong comeback and have provided inspiration for new trending varieties of classic flats such as mesh ballet flats and velvet flats.  Come along to find out the history of the ballet flat, how it is being worn today,  and what's keeping it in style.  

The Birth  

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Ballet flats were first introduced into women’s fashion in the 1950s, thanks to style icons of the time such as Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and Princess Diana.  Audrey Hepburn wore ballet flats in movies such as Sabrina (1954) which affirmed their status as a stylish shoe choice in the US. Brigitte Bardot brought them to Europe by wearing them in  And God Created Woman  (1956), a movie she starred in wearing the Repetto flat.   

The Repetto Flats

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The Repetto flat has remained the queen of all ballet flats and is as stylish today as it was in the 1950s.  The Parisian brand has always designed classic looking ballet flats that are high quality in almost every colour imaginable. They are leather and often shiny, very high quality, and are effortlessly elegant looking. They were Kate Moss’s ballet flat brand of choice during both the 2000s and 2010s resurgence.  

The Revivals

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In 1984, Chanel’s iconic ballet flats featured in a runway show, causing their popularity to resurge briefly. In the 2000s ballet flats returned and were worn by various iconic celebrities such as Alexa Chung and Amy  Winehouse.  

However, in the 2010s they became a true wardrobe staple for many women, especially when paired with skinny jeans. Endorsed by Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, and Kate Moss, they were worn both casually and formally as a stylish alternative to high heels.  Also, the ‘hipster’ style that was popular in the 2010s approved of the ballet flat as an effortless and understated yet chic shoe.  Lastly, this era saw a rise in prioritising women's comfort in fashion and in the workplace. This shoe became popular quickly as women realised that ballet flats could look just as put together as heels,  but without all the pain.  

2025 and Onwards

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2025 has seen a  resurgence of a variety of different types of ballet flats.  For example, the Alaïa mesh ballet flats have been seen everywhere in 2025, with dupes of it from Zara and other popular stores in a variety of colours.  A similar style, jelly flats, are like the mesh flats but are made of plastic. They rose in popularity over the summer due to being waterproof,  stylish, and practical at the beach. The Miu  Miu ballet flats offer a satin version of the flat shoe with a strap, replicating real ballerina flats used for dancing but designed to be worn on any occasion.

Not to mention, brands such as  Flabelus have hopped onto the flat shoe trend but have combined the Venetian slipper, the Mary Jane, and the ballet flat in one, to create a stylish flat velvet shoe. The Chanel ballet flats remain classic, and of course so does the Repetto flat. But more affordable options are sold in so many different stores internationally, offering a huge variety of flat shoe options that all offer the same look that we've consistently been returning to since the 1950s.  

Credit: Harpers Bazaar

So… what makes them so timeless?  Ballet flats have clearly persisted over many decades and can be found in the closets of most women today  because they seem to only offer benefits. Why would you not invest in an understated and comfortable yet glamorous shoe that never really goes out of style?  

In St Andrews, as the weather gets colder, ballet flats may seem impractical. But if you choose your socks carefully, they can look just as good with a socks or tights. So, don’t be discouraged by weather, and remember, you can never go wrong wearing ballet flats!