Ballet flats are back, and they’re better than ever. If you want to get in on the trend, these sustainable options tick all the boxes.
Most Millennials and Gen-Xers will remember Twee fashion. The style, characterized by sweet a-line dresses, big collars, and quirky jewelry (think: Zooey Deschanel as Jess Day in New Girl), had many of us in a chokehold back in the aughts and early 2010s. But like most fashion trends, Twee was never going to stay dormant for too long (it’s just too cute). The trend seems to be back, and one of the biggest indicators? The return of the ballet flat — arguably one of the biggest Twee staples in the 2000s and 2010s.
“The ballet flat was definitely an aughts staple,” fashion writer and ballet flat enthusiast Tyler McCall told Refinery29 last year. “I can think of so many tabloid moments, whether it was Amy Winehouse in literal ballet slippers or Alexa Chung in a pair of denim cutoffs and bright Chanel flats. We’re all about mining that nostalgia at the moment.”
But ballet flats are not exactly as they were just a short decade or two ago. They’ve had quite the chic upgrade, and brands are having fun with different takes on the indie classic. Some have big buckles, others are made with raffia, and some even feature apple skin. Because what says 2024 more than a nice, durable, cow-free vegan leather?
Sustainable ballet flats
If you’re in the market for a new pair of stylish (and nostalgic) ballet flats, these options are all sustainable, vegan, cute, and more Twee than ever. Sweep your fringe to the side, grab your favorite cardigan, and let’s go.
Stella McCartney’s Stella Iconic D’Orsay Ballet Flats
You can always rely on Stella McCartney to produce footwear that is elegant, timeless, comfortable, and cruelty-free. These D’orsay-style pointed ballet flats are made with Alter Mat vegan leather, which, according to the brand, has 24 times less of an impact on the environment than traditional cow leather. Chic and sustainable—the perfect mix.
Ganni’s Feminine Buckle Ballerinas
Ganni recently pledged to remove all virgin leather goods from its offering, but the quality of its designs hasn’t faltered. That is more than evident in these feminine ballerina flats with a large statement metallic buckle. They look just like leather, but they’re actually made with 51 percent recycled polyester.
Aera Carla Vegan Satin Ballet Flats
If you prefer more of a simple, square-toe ballet flat look, check out this sweet flat from Aera. The “timeless silhouette” has been constructed with vegan, sustainable material and handcrafted by artisans in Veneto, Italy. The satin Carla flats feature a square toe and a scrunched design for a comfortable, stylish look from this Certified B Corp footwear label.
Prota Fiori Apple Skin Ballet Flats
Handmade in Italy, these flattering, comfortable, pointed, black and white ballet flats from Prota Fiori demonstrate just how versatile sustainable fruit leathers can be. The flexible, comfortable design features an upper made with apple skin leather, while the insole is made with grape skin.
Dolce Vita Carin Raffia Flats
These sweet Dolce Vita raffia flats might be the shoes of the summer. They’re cute, comfortable, and will arguably go with pretty much any of your favorite summer dresses or skirts. Note that they come up quite wide, so consider ordering around half a size below your usual shoe size.
Aqua Amore Strap Ballet Flats
Exclusive to Bloomingdale’s, these polka-dot ballet flats from Aqua tick all of the boxes for Twee fashion. They’re cute, quirky, fun, and will go perfectly with your favorite daytime dresses, but they’re also elegant enough for evening wear, too.
Coach Abigail Mini Signature Jacquard Ballet Flats
These ballet flats from Coach were clearly inspired by the aught’s take on the classic shoe, which is evident in the rounded toe topped with a sweet little bow. Made with faux leather, they’re also lightweight, comfortable, durable, and easy to slip on and off.
Paradox London’s Sweetie Ballet Flats
These sugary sweet, lacey ballet flats from Paradox London would make the perfect bridal footwear for the bride who doesn’t want to stumble around all day in heels. But they’re not just for weddings. They can be worn all summer long, making them a great investment choice for anyone who has a big day coming up.
Bandolino Paprika Ballet Flats
With an almond-toe design and a sweet bow, these Paprika ballet flats from Bandolino are also reminiscent of late aughts and early 2010s style. But they’ve been given a nice 2024 upgrade, thanks to the added foam footbed for support and the chic-looking faux leather upper.
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