Forget Flat Ballet Shoes This Fall—Celebrities Are Giving the Trend a Lift for Fall
Our take
The quiet reign of the flat ballet shoe, a cornerstone of the “French girl” aesthetic for nearly half a decade, appears to be gently yielding. After years of minimalist chic, celebrities are elevating—literally—the trend, opting for ballet flats with subtle heels or platforms. It’s a fascinating shift, signaling a move away from purely understated elegance towards a more considered, nuanced femininity. This isn't a rejection of the ballet flat's inherent charm, but rather a refinement, a layering of sophistication. We've seen similar evolution in other trends; for example, Zoë Kravitz recently demonstrated how to end summer in style with rubber slides and Adidas shorts Forget Heeled Flip-Flops—Zoë Kravitz Is Ending Summer in Rubber Slides and Adidas Shorts, showcasing the effortless cool that continues to resonate. The move to a slightly elevated ballet flat feels natural, a progression that acknowledges a desire for both comfort and a touch of polish.
The broader significance lies in its reflection of a larger cultural mood. The relentless pursuit of “effortless” style, while appealing, can sometimes feel performative and ultimately exhausting. This evolution suggests a shift towards a more intentional, considered approach to dressing—one that prioritizes feeling confident and put-together without sacrificing comfort. It’s a subtle rebellion against the relentless cycle of micro-trends and fleeting fads. Consider Kendall Jenner's recent masterclass in styling an all-white outfit before Labor Day Kendall Jenner Delivers a Masterclass in Styling an All-White Outfit Before Labor Day—even her playful repurposing of a luxury bag as a dog carrier speaks to a sense of self-assuredness and a willingness to subvert expectations. The elevated ballet flat embodies this same spirit; it's a familiar silhouette reimagined with a touch of unexpected detail.
This isn't about embracing ostentation; it's about a quiet confidence. The subtle lift provides a grounding element, a sense of stability that complements the inherent delicacy of the ballet flat. It speaks to a woman who understands her own power and doesn’t need to shout it from the rooftops. It’s a quiet luxury, a feeling of assuredness that comes from within, rather than a display of external wealth or status. The resurgence also underscores the enduring appeal of classic silhouettes. Rather than discarding beloved staples, we’re seeing them reimagined and elevated, proving that timeless style never truly goes out of fashion. The enduring popularity of versatile pieces like the drawstring pants, which are finally back in stock Every L.A. and NYC It Girl's Transitional Wardrobe Includes These $98 Drawstring Pants, reinforces this notion of building a wardrobe around enduring, adaptable pieces.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to observe how this subtle elevation of the ballet flat continues to evolve. Will we see more dramatic platforms, or will the trend remain rooted in understated elegance? Will this shift influence other traditionally flat footwear styles, such as loafers or sandals? Ultimately, the rise of the elevated ballet flat suggests a broader trend towards a more considered and confident approach to style—one that prioritizes feeling empowered and self-assured over fleeting trends and performative displays. It’s a quiet revolution, and one that promises a more nuanced and sophisticated landscape for footwear in the seasons to come.
After five years of finishing French girl-inspired 'fits, my beloved ballet flats are officially out of order. To celebrate a life well lived, I planned on re-purchasing the same understated pair. That is, until a new VIP-approved ballet flats trend caught my eye. Plot twist: This new It shoe isn't flat anymore.
Slipper-style ballerinas will never truly leave celebrity shoe racks—or mine, for that matter. They're just sharing the stage with heeled ballet flats, the latest shoe trend to stand a few inches taller. It's been 85 years since Salvatore Capezio, the shoemaker of the Metropolitan Opera House, created the original silhouette for American designer Claire McCardell. Now, Rose Repetto's label—an Italian artist who hand-made a pair for her choreographer son in 1947—is famous for its ballet pumps, too.
Everyone from Olivia Rodrigo and Lily-Rose Depp to Hailey Bieber and Vittoria Ceretti has pirouetted around L.A. or New York City in Repetto's Camille Ballet Flats, known for their bow-tied toe boxes and block heels. After wearing black Camille ballerinas on repeat, Kaia Gerber designed her own suede style with Repetto in March 2026. That's not to say other brands aren't supporting the new trend, too. Sandy Liang's Ballet Pumps, for instance, have been Ariana Grande's go-to footwear style this summer.
My favorite flats picked the perfect time to fall apart: I'm on a mission to have another Ballet Flats Fall, but not with the slippers I'm used to styling. Ahead, join me in shopping for heeled ballet flats from the closets of Bieber, Gerber, Zoë Kravitz, and more.
Hailey Bieber's Heeled Ballet Flats
Repetto's ballet pumps joined Hailey Bieber's collection over a year ago. For their first street style sighting, the Rhode founder styled them as if she were an off-duty dancer: with a crop top, an oversized bomber jacket, slim trousers, and a rehearsal-ready bag.
Zoë Kravitz's Heeled Ballet Flats
Last weekend, after joining Harry Styles on his tour stops in London and Mexico, Zoë Kravitz returned to NYC with new shoes. The Blink Twice director scored the sold-out Roberto Flats from Maryam Nassir Zadeh, which featured 1.5-inch-tall block heels and a made-for-fall suede finish.
Ariana Grande's Heeled Ballet Flats
When she's not wearing gravity-defying Christian Louboutin boots on the Eternal Sunshine Tour, Ariana Grande is slipping socks into Sandy Liang's Ballet Pumps. As a dancer, she's no stranger to styling ballet slippers with hosiery. However, tapered heels gave her jeans-and-crewneck combination a high-fashion twist.
Kaia Gerber's Heeled Ballet Flats
As Marie Claire's resident celebrity style spotter, trust me when I say Kaia Gerber eats, sleeps, and struts in Repetto's heeled ballet flats. Before creating the sold-out Kaia style with the Paris label, she click-clacked around L.A. in the Camille heels.
Before long, Gerber assembled her own ballet flats outfit formula, which usually consists of a fitted cardigan, navy blue or black trousers, a Chanel or Gucci bag, and Repettos, obviously.
Apple Martin's Heeled Ballet Flats
Not only are black ballerinas the most versatile shade on an A-lister's shoe rack, but they're also the most well-loved. Every once in a while, though, someone like Grande or Apple Martin adds another neutral to the mix.
This summer, Martin accessorized her little white dress and chocolate-colored tote with chestnut brown ballet pumps, which seem to be a vintage Repetto pair. Their unconventional, not-quite-copper hue is begging to be worn all autumn long.
Lily-Rose Depp's Heeled Ballet Flats
Lily-Rose Depp might just be the trend's most loyal supporter: Thanks to Repetto, of course, she sported the silhouette as early as 2023. Every element of her off-duty outfit—down to the block heels and babydoll dress—would fit in with today's street style signatures. I think it's about time Depp pulled them out of storage, right?
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