Choosing the Right Ballet Flats

N-SHOES guide · Women's shoes · Ballet flats

Women's Ballet Flats: What to Wear Them With, When to Wear Them and How to Choose the Right Pair

Ballet flats are heel-free shoes that work with both an office suit and a summer dress. Here's what types exist, how to check a pair in the shop in five minutes, what to wear them with from Monday to the weekend, and when another shoe is the better choice. At the end — the models in stock right now.

See the models All ballet flats

New this season

Brown suede ballet flats · Allsy

genuine suede1 cm heelsoft square toe

2 390 ₴~~2 950 ₴~~

9ballet flat models in stock

from ₴890sale price

up to −63%off selected pairs

14 daysto exchange or return

Types of ballet flats

The seven types you'll meet most often in shops, and the situations each suits best.

Classic round toe

Whenevery day, office, studies

For whomanyone who wants one pair for everything

Lonza · 5913 →

Soft square toe

Whencity, travel, long walks

For whomwide feet: the toes have room

Allsy · 6204 →

Pointed toe

Whenbusiness suit, evening

For whomvisually lengthens the leg

With a strap (Mary Jane)

Whenbusy day, lots of walking

For whomif your heel slips out of classics

Crossed ribbon ties

Whendresses and skirts, a date

For whomshowing off the ankle

Perforated

Whenheat, holidays

For whomfeet that sweat in summer

Anna Lucci · 5556 →

Metallic and bright

Whenevening out, celebration

For whomas the outfit's main accent

Simen · 4418 →

How to choose ballet flats: 7 fitting-room checks

Flat shoes don't forgive mistakes in size or last. Go through these steps before you buy.

Decide on the purposeFor every day — leather or suede in a neutral colour. For evenings — satin, metallic, embellishment.
Choose the materialGenuine leather breathes and moulds to your foot. Textile looks good but is less practical for daily wear.
Bend the soleThe pair should flex at the toes, not in the middle. A stiff sole rubs; a too-soft one tires you out.
Check the heelWalk 5–10 steps. If your heel slips out, the pair is too big or a strapped model will suit you.
Room for the toesAbout 0.5 cm between your longest toe and the toe box. Toes shouldn't press or curl.
Look at the insoleAn anatomical insole with a slight arch lift and a 1–2 cm heel take the load off your foot.
Inspect seams and trimsBows, rhinestones and buckles should be firmly attached, and inner seams shouldn't be felt.

What to wear with ballet flats

Pick a situation to see a ready-made outfit formula and a pair from stock.

cigarette or cropped tailored trousers
a shirt or fine jumper
a straight-cut blazer
a structured bag

Rule:Leave the ankle bare: 3–5 cm of skin between trouser hem and shoe makes the silhouette lighter.

Black flats with a low heel · Steizer1 490 ₴

When to wear ballet flats

Situation	Which pair	Material
Office	classic or pointed toe	smooth leather
Studies	soft square toe	leather, suede
Walk	with an anatomical insole	suede, nubuck
Evening out	metallic, patent, embellished	metallic leather, satin
Heat	perforated	thin leather
Rain and slush	closed shoes are better	flats get wet

Ballet flats in stock

Only models you can order right now. Sale prices shown.

Models: 9

All ballet flats →

Ballet flats: encyclopedia entry

Definition

Ballet flats are women's slip-on shoes with a flat sole or a heel of up to 2 cm and a low-cut upper that leaves the instep visible. The name comes from the soft shoes of ballet dancers, which they resemble in shape.

History

Modern ballet flats came out of dance-shoe workshops. In 1947 Rose Repetto opened a ballet-shoe atelier in Paris, and in 1956 she made a pair for Brigitte Bardot for the film And God Created Woman. Audrey Hepburn wore flat shoes in 1950s films, and they became a symbol of effortless elegance. Since then ballet flats have regularly returned to designers' collections.

Construction

A pair consists of an upper, heel counter, insole and outsole. The upper is often finished with a soft binding or elastic so it hugs the foot. The toe shape — round, pointed or square — affects both look and comfort; a square toe gives the toes most room.

Materials

The most common are smooth leather, suede, nubuck, patent and metallic leather. Satin and textile are used for festive and summer models. Genuine leather lets air through and moulds to the foot over time.

Dance flats and pointe shoes

Ballet classes use soft shoes of leather or canvas with a full or split sole — they support the foot and let the dancer feel the floor. Pointe shoes have a hard box for dancing on the tips of the toes; dancers move to them after several years of training and only with the teacher's approval. Dance shoes are best bought in specialist shops and always after a fitting.

Care

Smooth leather is wiped with a damp cloth and conditioned with cream; suede is cleaned with a dry brush and an eraser. Before the first wear, shoes are treated with a water repellent. Ballet flats are dried at room temperature, away from radiators.

Ballet flats and health

A completely flat, thin sole cushions poorly and doesn't support the arch. For daily wear, orthopaedists recommend pairs with an anatomical insole and a 1–2 cm heel, alternated with other shoes. If your feet hurt or you have flat feet, choose shoes together with an orthopaedist.

Questions and answers

Can I wear ballet flats every day?

Yes, if the pair has an anatomical insole and a small 1–2 cm heel. Completely flat models are best alternated with trainers or loafers.

What if my ballet flats slip off at the heel?

Try half a size smaller, a silicone heel grip or a model with a strap. Genuine leather stretches a little, so the pair shouldn't feel loose on day one.

How do I avoid blisters from new flats?

Break the pair in at home in thin socks for 30–40 minutes at a time. Soften the heel counter with shoe cream and take a plaster on the first outing.

What shouldn't I wear ballet flats with?

Long wide trousers that hide the shoes completely, and voluminous tops with no waist — the silhouette becomes heavy.

Can I exchange ballet flats if the size is wrong?

Yes. At N-SHOES you can exchange or return unworn shoes within 14 days.

Find your pair of ballet flats

Try them on in the store or order with Nova Poshta delivery — and exchange within 14 days if the size doesn't fit.

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2021-05-05 10:00:00

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Type	flat-soled shoes
Heel	0–2 cm
Origin	ballet shoes
In fashion	since the late 1940s
Materials	leather, suede, patent, satin
Season	spring to autumn