A sleek and adaptable shoe pair can enhance any ensemble. The balletcore trend is bringing back the best ballerina flats, but this design is still a classic for bow-tying ease and sophistication.
Many of the best flats, including many that are clearly inspired by ballerinas, have been tested by us over the course of years. The Margaux Demi Ballet Flat is our choice for the best ballet flats available. Executive editor Sally Kaplan says, “With all the walking I do, my feet end up swelling a bit, and the wide pair is more comfortable for long days out.” The Vivaia Square-Toe Margot is another pair that fits wide feet. The straps on these Mary Janes are adjustable, and you can even personalise them by adding a detachable bow.
See our recommendations for the greatest hair bows and stirrup leggings for other ways to accessorise in an off-duty ballet style.
Best overall: Margaux The Demi
If you want to get a lot of use out of the classic leather ballet flat, the Demis are a must. In addition to their elegant appearance, they excel in terms of comfort because of five millimetres of soft foam padding and a useful, adjustable cord bow that helps you achieve the ideal fit.
Since Margaux offers half sizes, I’d advise staying true to size when it comes to both fit and sizing. The option to select your width (narrow, medium, or wide) is arguably the best feature. I tried a wide pair later and realised that’s definitely the size I’ll go for going forward, but for my comparatively average-sized feet, the medium width fit just well. My feet get a little swollen from all the walking I do, so the wide pair is more comfortable for extended walks. They also didn’t give my feet a pancake-like appearance; instead, I maintained the lovely extended profile that comes with wearing ballerina flats.” — Executive Editor Sally Kaplan
Best for wide feet: Vivaia Square-Toe Margot Mary Jane with Removable Bow
The main feature of Vivaia is their knit flats, which are created from recycled plastic water bottles. Four colourways of the machine-washable, extra-plushly cushioned Margots are available in extra-wide sizes. Even more personalisation is possible with Vivaia’s assortment of detachable bows. Vivaia emerged victorious in our side-by-side comparison test with some similar Mary Janes from our Rothy’s review.
“Vivaia’s Mary Janes outperform Rothy’s in terms of comfort in addition to being less costly. Rothy’s insoles are flat inside, however the insoles are cushioned with a material that resembles a yoga mat around the heel and forefoot. When walking on pavement, the slightly more structured heel and arch support feel noticeably different. Additionally, because the square toe box is larger than Rothy’s Mary Janes, they are more appropriate for wide-footed individuals.” Gabrielle Chase, a style editor in charge
Best for walking: Everlane The Day Ballet Flat
Our staff has a selection of Everlane reviews that includes anything from purses to bathing suits. These exquisitely supple Italian leather ballet flats with air holes on the side and pull-tabs on the heels particularly excite us. Similar to another of our favourite flats, the Day Glove, they also include a little of a heel, a functional rubber outsole, a functional tie bow, and a cushioned insole.
“The shoe feels more like a loafer than a flat because of a small amount of cushioning. Maybe even more than the original, I enjoy these!” — Executive Editor Sally Kaplan
Best pointed toe: Quince Italian Leather Pointed Bow Flat
We were thrilled by almost everything we tested at Quince, including their washable silk line and cashmere collection, as we noted in our review. Although their high-end materials are reasonably priced, we’ve found that the quality is on par with designer brands.
You may wear these angular Italian leather flats for walking or commuting with ease thanks to the padded OrthoLite insoles that provide extra cushioned arch support. If you’re in between sizes, we suggest sizing down because Quince flats tend to run a little large.
Best Amazon: Feversole Memory Foam Patent Ballet Flat
These affordable kicks have an exquisite boost from the black version’s patent shell, which makes them appear much more costly than they actually are. Better yet, they include a 0.2-inch memory foam insock with a silky canvas lining for added comfort. The non-slip outsole of the flexibly formed shoes is another feature.
Best arch support: M. Gemi The Danza Crystal
M. Gemi’s Danzas have a clever feature that will help you if completely flat shoes bother your high arches: a little hidden wedge inside that provides arch support and makes them more comfortable overall than the typical flat. Moreover, the smooth Italian Nappa leather used in their construction fits your foot like a glove. Adorable crystal decorations on this version give the classic Danza a distinctive, premium twist.
Best square-toe: Alohas Sway Ballet Flats
My own experience with Alohas has shown me that these shoes are excellent, robust, and adaptable. Additionally, these flexible, square-toed kicks can be the best ballet flats for you if you prefer a little more room between your toes. The Rosalind flats feature flexible soles that are comfortable on the feet and are made of soft leather with an elasticised back.
Best luxury: Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerina
The $395 cost of Mansur Gavriel’s Dream Ballerina flats may seem high, but it’s not so bad when you compare it to comparable ballet flats from Chanel (which start at $750) or Louboutin (which cost roughly $500).
What you get for your money is a classic style that goes well with almost anything in your closet, buttery soft lambskin leather, cushioned insoles that wear the shoes more like a loafer than a flat, and just the right amount of sole grip to keep you steady on slick surfaces.
“As for sizing, I generally wear a 7.5 to an 8, so I purchased a size 38, which is the equivalent of an 8 in Europe. The website for Mansur Gavriel recommends ordering a full size larger than your typical size, but in my opinion, it’s best to go with your true size or one half size larger if you occasionally find that your true size is too small in other brands.” — Executive Editor Sally Kaplan
Best for travel: Rothy’s The Ballet Flat
We love Rothy’s ballet flats, and they make the perfect travel shoes. They are portable, pliable, and simple to tuck into a purse or suitcase, so you may always have them handy for when your feet really need some TLC. Additionally, you can easily machine wash these sneakers if your travels end up a little muddy.
“I folded them into my purse as a backup pair of comfy shoes to change into for a wedding reception because they are so flexible. After spending hours in pumps, my feet usually swell, so I was appreciative of how they accommodated my foot’s size from their swelled state till they returned to their normal size by night’s end.” Gabrielle Chase, a style editor in charge
Best Chanel dupe: Steve Madden Ellison Natural
These slip-on ballet flats with a contrast toe cap have the same elegant vibe as their designer equivalents, which cost almost 20 times as much. Nevertheless, this pair boasts a 0.5-inch heel lift and a profile that is exactly like the Chanel originals thanks to its leather top, leather sole, and leather sock.
Best lace-up: J.Crew Quinn Lace-Up Ballet Flats
These lace-up ballet flats are not only striking, but the detachable grosgrain ankle ties provide extra support to help the shoes stay on your feet longer. Because they can be connected to the front or the back to produce a new look, these ballet flats are one of our favourites. The softly squared toe design of the leather-lined polyester kicks provides a roomy, comfortable fit.
Best mesh: Dolce Vita Cadel Ballet Flats
Instead of sandals, mesh flats have been spotted on celebrities and style icons alike. The Cadel ballerina flats are very light on the feet and are versatile enough to be dressed up or down. The Dolce Vita pair features an elastic band around the foot for increased security, and its transparent design makes them ideal for showcasing creative socks.
Best woven: Milaner The Woven Nicole Ballerina Flat
With real goat hide insoles that conform flawlessly to your feet and get softer with each wear, these handwoven ballet flats are made from buttery 100% sheepskin leather. We advise people who are unsure about their size to get a half size up because these run true to size only in whole sizes.
Best Mary Jane: Chinese Laundry Audrey Mary Jane Ballet Flat
When you have a lot of walking planned, Mary Jane flats—which feature a strap over the top of your foot—tend to remain in place better than many other top ballet flats. The Audreys’ elegant leather outsole, rounded toe with a bow accent on the vamp, and contrast strap on some colourways are just a few more features we adore.
Best for rain: Oka-B Pollie Shiny Ballet Flat
Georgia is where Oka-B manufactures their ballet flats, which come in more than a dozen styles. This adorable pair with an oversized bow has just as much purpose as it does flair. With a heel cup for stability and massage bead-equipped arch support, the silhouette is specifically made to fit a variety of foot shapes. The brand’s exclusive bio-based substance, scrap material, and worn shoes are combined to create the 100% recyclable waterproof and slip-resistant shoes.
“There was no break-in period when I wore mine straight out of the packaging. To my even greater delight, they withstood the downpour without falling apart, successfully shielded my feet from urban dirt, and maintained their cuteness for an entire workday. My sister now has two pairs of these flats after I converted her to them.” — Elizabeth Yuko, author of contributed works
Best satin: Loeffler Randall Leonie Satin Ballet Flats
The traditional shine we associate with authentic pointe shoes is present in these coquettish satin ballet flats. The Leonies feature an almond toe, an elastic bridge strap for enhanced protection, and a padded leather footbed with the gold imprinted emblem of Loeffler Randall.
