Dainty ballet flats may have been the height of Kate Moss–cool back in the mid-noughties (think drainpipe jeans, military jackets and skinny scarves), but over the intervening decade, they developed a reputation for being the black sheep of the flat-shoe family. Cheap iterations were not only sweaty and blister-inducing, but they also looked pretty unsavoury after a few Friday night outings (remember those?)
Yet it cannot be denied that this famed Parisian style remains a timeless wardrobe staple thanks to the sellout success of Chanel‘s iconic quilted iterations (aka the original ballet flats). Yes, they’ve had a rough few years, but when worn correctly, they can be a real game-changer. And, if the feeds of our favourite fashion influencers are anything to go by, they’ve also come to this realisation.
From Nnenna Echem to Linda Tol, the coolest girls on the ‘gram have been reaching for the ballet pumps this year. Whether paired with straight-leg jeans or a statement frock, they’re just what we need in this tricky transitional weather. But how do you wear them now without experiencing fashion flashbacks to your teen self? Well, that’s where we come in. We’ve found five outfits that will inspire your ballet-flats styling this spring. Scroll down to see and shop our faves.