street style

Why ballet flats are this summer’s Birkenstock Boston clogs

Easy to wear, easy to style, and work-to-life approved, the ballet flat has managed to level itself as this summer’s answer to the viral Birkenstock Boston clogs.

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 01: Blanco Miró Scrimieri seen wearing a flower printed Fendi baguette, sparkling ballet flats, a white jacket, a black dress, black shades and black tights before the Cecilie Bahnsen show on March 01, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)

The infinitely sold-out coastal grandma style was last summer’s greatest statement, but as trends tend to go, this season has other, chicer plans, courtesy of brands like Simone Rocha, Tory Burch, Coach, and MM6 refreshing the noughties flat with supple leather and suede versions and subverted, boyish styles featuring leather, strappy, and hardware detailing.

But it’s Miu Miu’s satin ribbon flats – debuted in 2016 – that are perhaps the most recognisable of styles, finding their way into the wardrobes of Bella Hadid and Cynthia Erivo ever since, and a consistent sighting among fashion week guests today.

Ballet flats were the staple footwear choice of Kate Moss in the noughties

And if there was a particular fashion item that could connect the noughties wardrobe of Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller and friends together, then the ballet flat was the one. While its revival today is divisive, its on-the-go girl-about-town appeal is reason enough to back it – and this season’s street street circles think so too.

READ MORE:

En pointe: 8 high street ballet flats to spring you into summer

A guest wears black sunglasses, a brown suede shirt, white striped print pattern wide legs pants, and black shiny varnished leather ballet flats outside the Namacheko show, during Paris Fashion Week Menswear spring-summer 2023, on June 26, 2022
A guest wears a Loewe puzzle bag, a scarf by Jil Sander, beige knit pants, a white oversized blouse, dark shades and black and beige ballet flats by Chanel before the Cecilie Bahnsen autumn-winter show on March 01, 2023 in Paris, France
Designer Blanco Miró Scrimieri wears a flower printed Fendi baguette bag, sparkling ballet flats, a white jacket, a black dress, black shades and black tights before the Cecilie Bahnsen autumn-winter show on March 01, 2023 in Paris, France
A guest is seen wearing a belted beige sleeveless coat, a white button shirt, a white Chanel bag and powder blue ballet flats at VISA Fashion Week Almaty autumn-winter on May 03, 2023 in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Fashion and lifestyle creator Hollie Mercedes Peters wears a long dress with puffed sleeves, a long black scarf, black Mary Jane flats, a Rolex watch,black shades, and a baby blue Chanel bag before the Cecilie Bahnsen autumn-winter show on March 01, 2023 in Paris, France
A guest wears a white peplum top, a black and white checkered print pattern midi skirt, a white shiny leather shoulder bag, gold bracelets, black sunglasses, and white leather ballet flats outside the MSGM fashion show during Milan Fashion Week Menswear spring-summer 2023 on June 18, 2022
A guest wears a black t-shirt, a multicoloured fluffy print pattern cardigan, a black shiny leather belt, blue faded denim jeans, a gold watch, and black shiny leather ballerinas from Chanel, outside the Dior Homme show, during Paris Fashion Week Menswear spring summer 2023, on June 24, 2022
Designer Aimee Song wears a white short shirt dress, a navy blue ribbed wool zipper cardigan, a black nylon large pockets belt, black satin ballerinas, and a black embossed pattern handbag, all from Miu Miu, outside the Miu Miu show during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear autumn-winter 2023-2024, on March 07, 2023
Fashion journalist Veronika Heilbrunner seen wearing a black sequins cardigan, a Chanel shirt, a black skirt, a fluffy bag, sparkling tights and pink ballet flats before the Chanel show on March 07, 2023 in Paris, France
Fashion director of Tank magazine Caroline Issa is seen wearing a light green pleated skirt, black shoes, a light blue, black, and green bomber jacket, and black Mary Jane flats outside MSGM during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear autumn-winter 2023-2024 on February 25, 2023