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Are ballet flats classic?

Anonymous

Along the lines of recent posts of Angie's regarding skinny jeans being classic and not abandoning tall boots, I am asking about ballet flats. I realize I never reach for mine anymore, in fact can't remember the last time I wore them. Perhaps it's because they don't work as well with the cropped jeans trend?

I would be interested to see if it's just me, or have ballet flats taken a back seat in your closet as well? Are they classic footwear that doesn't date, even if not super trendy right now? Thoughts, comments?

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I do think they are classic.

Anonymous

I think they're classic, too, but my fussy feet can't tolerate them. I think they look great on certain people, though.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

They are classic but ... as with all classic items, the fashionable iterations change. For instance, the current ballet "flat" is not so much a flat but a shoe that looks like a ballet flat with a block heel. Or a Mary-Jane.

I think the traditional ballet flat will wax and wane in popularity but never completely go out of style. It won't make an outfit look up to date right now unless you have a current iteration.

Like BC, I'm unable to wear the traditional ballet flat (they fly off my narrow heels and high instep). But I can (rarely) wear some of the ones with heels if I get extremely lucky.

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MaryA

They are certainly a classic for me...but I'm unable to wear any sort of heel.

Sara L.

Veteran

I hope they're classic as I'm wearing a pair today. I see them everywhere around here, especially on the moms at my kids' school. Probably because they're so convenient - they look nicer than sneakers, but are flat so you can still run after kids while wearing them.

Staysfit

Veteran

I think they're classic. I'm keeping mine, but I have some with arch support.

Anonymous

I have a couple with a hint of a heel. They aren't getting much wear right now as ballet flats are never actually super comfortable for me.

I had to laugh at Sara saying people could run after kids wearing them. If I ever tried to run in ballet flats they would fly right off my foot. They do have specific uses though, so they remain in my closet for that reason.

Muffin

Veteran

For me they definitely are. My wardrobe skews classic, tailored so these fit right in with my look. I agree they look off with some of the newer pant trends so I wear them with full length or ankle skinnies or straights. Mine also have to have a slight (1/4-1/2 inch heel). Hoping to add the very classic (yet super trendy again) Ferragamo Vara to the mix.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Round toe ballet flats are a complete classic. D'orsay flats, round square toe and pointy toe flats are trendier.

Anonymous

Things will go in and out of style.
My feeling is that ballet flats are neither in nor out at this point in time.
I have some ballet flats: the super flat, slippery type, and wear them as an indoor shoe at work. I like them now, but I know that in the 90's these types of shoes were definitey out of style.

Anonymous

Great explanations, thanks!

Dee

Veteran

I see young women wearing them all the time for work/commuting. They may not be the most trendy, but they are a respectable option for people in offices around here (east coast US). I'm not wearing them much, but I still have a few pairs in the back of my closet just in case.

unfrumped

Veteran

My bias, which is not very expert, is that a " good" flat, meaning one with a bit of substance and in good condition, helps even though the ballet flat style itself is still not trendy. Speaking to the point of good quality classics. And even in ballet flats there have been trends such as studs or colors or fabrications.
Also may be better if other aspects of outfit are modern- optimized and I'd be interested in what helps most there.

psychedelicate

(website)

I think they're classic. The block heels, for instance, will look dated in a year or two. A basic pair of ballet flats? Nope.

Style Fan

Veteran

I see them on the streets and in stores. I never wear them. My heels are too narrow.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think that they are classic.

Gigi

Veteran

I wore some round-toe gold metallic flats today. I think that they are classic. I'm hoping that the metallic finish makes them a little more up-to-date than otherwise.

Helena

Veteran

My rule is, if Audrey wore them, they are a classic!

VioletMyra

Oh, torontogirl, what a great rule! May I use it?
Best wishes to all.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I adore ballet flats and think they will always be a classic style. I think they can easily be incorporated into trendy outfits, it just depends on the shoe.

They can be tricky to fit, especially for those of us with narrow heels. I would call the Bella-Vita "Ollies" a lace up ballet flat, and they fit me perfectly (they are a narrow width). The Sam Edelman Felicia's are my all-time favorite, and they are perfectly fitting (even though they are a medium width) because of the slight bit of elastic in the back of the shoe. They come in about a million different colors and patterns.

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rachylou

Veteran

I'd say yes... but the little bow part isn't...

Beth

Veteran

Definitely a classic. Not particularly on trend, but never out of style, in my eyes. I have several pairs of Repettos that I wear year round. They don't look fresh as some of my other shoes, but they never look wrong either.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Glad to hear Angie's answer. I haven't worn mine for a while, but I'm keeping them. I figure I will have the urge to wear them again, once I become less obsessed with of-the-moment footwear to make my cropped pants look intentional.