Ballet flats are back—but did they ever really leave?

It’s a well-known fashion truth that trends are cyclical, often returning every 20 years or so. Having fully indulged in the nostalgia of the 1990s over the past decade and with the return of low-rise jeans, cargo pants, and maxi denim skirts, it’s clear we’re stepping into a renewed love affair with the early 2000s. And naturally, ballet flats are twirling their way back onto the style stage.

Are ballet shoes making a comeback?

These dainty shoes first started reappearing in the Spring/Summer 2021 collections and haven’t slowed down since. From Chanel’s timeless pairs (arguably the ultimate fashion investment) to Alaïa’s viral mesh versions, ballet flats have become a mainstay on runways and sidewalks alike. For many, they spark memories of 2000s icons like Kate Moss or Sienna Miller pairing them with skinny jeans or boho skirts or perhaps the worn-out Topshop pumps we clung to through university nights out. While that memory may not scream "buy another pair," today's iterations offer a more polished, wearable evolution.

Unlike fleeting fads (we’re looking at you, chokers), ballet flats are proving themselves to be more than a trend, they're a wardrobe essential. Though their 2000s heyday was memorable, their origin traces back to the 1950s, when Rose Repetto famously crafted a pair for Brigitte Bardot in And God Created Woman, later worn by Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face. From that point on, the ballet flat earned its place as a go-to shoe for women across generations.

The appeal? Simplicity, versatility, and timeless elegance. Whether worn one year or skipped the next, they always come back and slot effortlessly into any wardrobe, working with everything from denim to dresses. And perhaps the current love for ballet flats also taps into our post-pandemic craving for comfort. As these shoes are essentially socially acceptable slippers, offering style without sacrificing ease.