
There are trends that last for a single season, and then there are trends that become permanent staples in our daily rotation. The humble ballet flat, once thought to be the former, continues to trend for fall/winter 2022, and it’s not hard to see why. Ballet flats rank among the most comfortable types of shoe and transition easily from brunch to work to dinners out—so, of course, we found the very best ballet flats to style (and live in) this season.
Before you descend into an '00s fashion spiral, let me reassure you that these modern ballet flats are not like the ones you wore back then. Or maybe they are similar, but we're not going to style them the same way. While at one point they were worn with micro-mini skirts and lace patterned tights à la the original Gossip Girl, ballet flats can now be worn in a multitude of ways. “Pastels are proving themselves to not just be for spring, blending worlds with traditionally Fall fabrications [like] patent leather, fur, feathers, and shearling,” says fashion stylist and trend forecaster Lizzy Rosenberg about the ballet flats trending this season.
On the Fall 2022 runways, brands like Miu Miu styled satin ballet flats with chunky white socks and preppy school-uniform-adjacent ensembles, while Chanel took it a step further by pairing pointed patent-leather options with thick tights and tweed jackets. Maggie Marilyn also included ruched ballet flats in their Pre-Fall 2022 collection, styling them with a full matching suit and proving their versatility. These ballet flats are like the slightly more elevated version of a crisp white sneaker—ideal for the office or just on a day spent running errands.
In short, ballet flats, from patent leather to pointed-toe ballet flats, are officially cool again. Keep scrolling to shop all of the best options on the market right now from brands like Zara, Mango, Carel Paris, Mansur Gavriel, and more. Here's to wearing our nostalgic favorites in a whole new way this year.
- Best Affordable Ballet Flats: Amazon Essentials Women’s Belice Ballet Flats (opens in new tab)
- Best Splurge-Worthy Ballet Flats: Miu Miu Logo Strap Satin Ballet Flats (opens in new tab)
- Best Black Ballet Flats: Mansur Gavriel Square-Toe Mary Janes (opens in new tab)
- Best Non-Basic Ballet Flats: MANGO Bow Leather Ballerina Flat (opens in new tab)
- Best Ballet Flats for Different Foot Widths: Sam Edelman Felicia Ballet Flat (opens in new tab)
The Best Ballet Flats
Follow Rosenberg's advice and style this pastel pair of ballet flats all fall and winter long. This shade of green was one of summer's most in-demand hues, and this pair of $60 flats from MANGO proves that the shade can work in the winter. Just style them with a pair of baggy wide-leg black jeans or other, similar dark shades. If green isn’t for you, they’re also available in three other colors: pale pink, classic black, and deep brown.
Pros: Costs under $200; Comes in several colors.
Cons: Comes in trend-driven colors.
More straps, more fun! I love these Mary-Jane-style ballet flats from Mansur Gavriel because they’re slightly more modern than other picks on this list, and can work for either day or night. Available in three colors (navy, black, and cream) and two fabrications (lambskin leather and luxe pony hair) they’re well worth the investment. They run true to size, so choose your normal shoe size if you’re picking them up this season. As one reviewer put it, these ballet flats are “A perfect purchase, comfortable and elegant, high-quality leather!”
Pros: Top-rated; Comes in several colors; Comes in several fabrications.
Cons: Costs over $200
Need a pair of ballet flats that cost less than $50 and will arrive in basically no time at all? Meet this simple under-$20 pair from Amazon Essentials. Available to shop in 36 colors and patterns, you may as well pick up a few pairs while you’re shopping. But don’t take my word for it: they have over 35,000 five-star reviews on the site. While reviewers give these top marks for comfort, they note that they might not work for you if you have wide feet.
Pros: Costs under $200; Top-rated; Comes in several colors and prints.
Cons: Reviews say they're not great for wide feet.
You can shop this pair of Mary Jane-style ballet flats from Loeffler Randall in a whopping 13 colors and fabrications, including burnt orange crushed velvet and this classic black version. They’re available to shop in sizes 5 through 12, run true-to-size, and have a non-adjustable elastic strap across the front for bonus comfort points. The brand notes that they sit in the middle of the spectrum between thin and wide, so it might be well worth trying them on before you buy, if you can.
Pros: Comes in several colors: Runs true-to-size; Comes in several fabrications.
Cons: Costs over $200.
These black flats from Mango have everything going for them: a sleek pointed-toe silhouette that works for day or nighttime wear, a cutout at the heel so your feet won’t sweat during the transitional weather period, and a wrap-around ankle strap for added support and comfort. Take a page out of Chanel’s styling handbook and wear these with chunky wool socks or tights during the fall and winter seasons. You can shop them now in sizes 5 through 10.
Pros: Costs under $200; Comes in a wide size range;
Cons: Only comes in one color.
These classic ballet flats from Sam Edelman are available to shop in a whopping 38 different colors and prints, so you’re bound to find one that suits your fancy. It comes with a padded sole and is made from buttery soft leather, too. They’re available in sizes 4 through 14, so they’re great if your foot runs on the smaller side. They also come in three widths (Narrow, Wide, and Wide), so they’re one of most customizable pairs on this list.
Pros: Costs under $200; Comes in several colors; Comes in several widths;
Cons: Runs small.
I love a shiny shoe that you can wear both in the daytime or on your next date night. These ruched flats from Vince Camuto are a great option to keep in your work bag for commuting or for when you need to update your work outfit. You can shop them in three shades including this deep brown shiny shade, black, and bronze, and they come in sizes 5 through 12. However, they only come in one width, so they might be too wide for smaller feet.
Pros: Costs under $200; Comes in several colors; Comes in a wide size range.
Cons: Only comes in one width.
Luxury brand Miu Miu is no stranger to a great pair of ballet flats, but this sweet-feeling satin pair has taken the fashion set by storm this season. They’re available in sweet shades like white, copper, and black, and will add a delicate touch to your fall and winter outfits. Plus, they’ll work just as well next summer with a pretty dress. However, they won’t be great for all-season wear due to the delicate satin fabrication, so they’re best reserved for special occasions.
Pros: Available in several colors; Comes in a wide size range.
Cons: Costs over $200; Satin fabric is hard to keep clean.
These Rothy's flats are actually machine washable (!), sustainably made, and come in 15 colors and prints. Say hello to your perfect wear-everywhere fall and winter shoe. You can shop them in sizes 5 through 13 and in 25 different colors and patterns. My favorite is this two-tone camel and black pair. When it comes to choosing your best size, the brand recommends going up a size if you have narrow feet and a full size if you have wider feet.
Pros: Costs under $200; Machine-Washable; Comes in several sizes and colors; Sustainably-made.
Cons: Runs small.
Brown is another color that is simply everywhere for fall and winter 2023. With that in mind, shop this chocolate-hued suede pair from cult-favorite shoe brand Vagabond Shoemakers (you’ve probably seen their loafers all over the internet), and style them for an easy take on the trend. They’re outfitted with a rubber sole for added comfort, so that’s an added bonus! Or, shop them in either a deep berry shade or a classic black version in sizes 36 through 41.
Pros: Costs under $200
Cons: Comes in a small size range.
If you're prone to slipping or live in a particularly wet climate, this pair of flats from Minnetonka were made with you in mind. Lightweight and perfect for keeping in your carry-on for quick trips, this pair of ballet flats are available to shop in sizes 5 through 11 and come in three colors. The brand notes that they run on the smaller side, so I would recommend choosing a pair that’s half a size smaller than you would normally wear.
Pros: Costs under $200; Comes in multiple colors.
Cons: Runs a half-size small.
How to Style Ballet Flats
"I loved seeing Miu Miu’s use of ballet flats in their Fall 2022 season," says Rosenberg about her favorite way to style ballet flats for fall 2023. "The styling itself pays homage to the integrity of traditional ballet wardrobe pieces, with the shoe in a silk fabrication paired back to what resembles leg warmer socks, further styled with the micro mini skirt we couldn’t escape on social media coming out of their Spring 2022 season."
Aside from the preppy styling on the runway, Rosenberg recommends wearing your flats with "a mid-calf pencil skirt, yummy turtle neck sweater and leather motorcycle jacket" this season.
Meet The Expert
New York City based Wardrobe Stylist Lizzy Rosenberg over the last decade has worked in-house for Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, J.Crew, and has since assumed representation at Art Department. Her body of work includes celebrity, editorial, and commercial styling in addition to private client dressing, and creative consulting acting as a fashion editor and trend forecaster.
Julia Marzovilla is the E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she covers everything from the latest beauty and fashion launches and sales to celebrity outfits and news. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and STYLECASTER. In her spare time, Julia can be found creating shopping guides for all of her friends, spending too much money on yet another pair of black boots, and cooking in her far-too-small kitchen.
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