Ruched! Studded! Ultra-Strappy! The Ballet Flat Maintains Its Position as a Seasonal Must-Have

Photo: Courtesy of Hunter Abrams

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With December approaching, boot season is on the horizon, but the best ballet flats aren’t going anywhere. Offering comfort, ease, and an extra dose of elegance to any outfit, these everyday styles are still our go-to shoes for many occasions. They’re perfect for wearing all day and for dressing down an evening look at night—just add a pair of sheer socks or tights.

And designers have not been shy about riffing on the silhouette, particularly since the studded Alaïa mania took hold a few seasons ago. Now, we’re seeing stylish and versatile ballet flats in all shapes and sizes. Our favorites range from the ultra classic—simple, leather ballet flats with a sweet little bow—to sleek, slipper styles, and Mary Jane flats. Trickling down from the runways we’re also seeing flats with a bit of extra flash, namely in the form of studded, punk details and metallic leather. For all of the best ballet flats of the season, look no further than our edit below.

Vogue’s Ballet Flat Must-Have List

• The Everyday Favorite: Madewell The April ballet flats, $110
• The Timeless Black: Mansur Gavriel Dream ballerina flats, $395
• The Sweet Mary Jane: Margaux the Demi Jane flats, $275
• The Velvet Update: Everlane The Day ballet flat, $148
• The Crisp White: Emme Parsons Tramonto Mary Jane ballet flats, $330
• The Designer Find: Gucci Horsebit ballet flats, $1,090
• The Romantic Ruched: Toteme the Gathered ballet flats, $650
• The Pop of Color: Manolo Blahnik Veralli bow-detailed ballet flats, $725
• The Cozy Pick: Staud faux fur-trimmed ballet flats, $369
• The It Score: Alaïa strass ballerina flats, $1,290

Classic Ballerinas

You can’t go wrong with a simple, classic ballet flat. This is a wardrobe staple that you’ll wear for years. Look to Repetto for a timeless French perspective on the style, or Mansur Gavriel for a chic high-throat shape.