From animal-print options to staple round-toe styles
Stylist-Inspired Ballet Flats
- Not Your Average Mary Jane: Dreamstory Mary Jane Flats, $40 with coupon (orig. $60)
- “Like Cozy Slippers but Professional”: Dream Pairs Bowknot Ballet Flats, $28 (orig. $35)
- Writer-Loved Brand: Steve Madden Leni Flats, $75 (orig. $90)
- Under-$20 Style: Amazon Essentials Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats, $18 (orig. $21)
- Designer-Inspired: Modatope Ballet Flats, $50 (orig. $59)
- Statement-Making Print: Dream Pairs Mary Jane Shoes, $20 (orig. $33)
- “Comfortable for Problem Feet”: Putaoma Woven Mary Jane Flats, $39
- Unexpected Fall Neutral: Afeetsing Round-Toe Ballet Flats, $23
- Lowest Price in 30 Days: Franco Sarto Tinsley Mary Jane Flats, $75 (orig. $145)
- “Like Walking on a Cloud”: Dolce Vita Conrad Flats, $51 with coupon (orig. $135)
Over the past few years, ballet flats have been my most-worn fall shoe. I have a ton of different pairs in my collection, so I asked a style expert for advice on which ballet flat trends I should ditch this fall — and which are worth tapping into.
“I’m leaving behind flats that are studded or have grommets and heavy hardware,” says fashion stylist Lauren Sharkey. “That feels incredibly tired to me.” The expert even said she took the creative liberty of trimming off the hardware tips of a burgundy pair she recently purchased.
Sharkey gave me recommendations for other on-trend flat styles to shop instead, so I went to Amazon to find fresh pairs. I found ballet flats inspired by her tips, including pairs from Steve Madden, Franco Sarto, and Dolce Vita, starting from $18.
Related: Jennifer Lopez Traded Sandals for These Comfy, Fall-Ready Flats While Sightseeing in Italy — Get a Pair from $14
Dreamstory Mary Jane Flats, $40 with coupon
$60 $40 at Amazon
If you’re looking to refresh your fall shoe collection like I am, Sharkey has some suggestions. “I’m guiding clients to prioritize a round toe before a point, texture, a low-cut toe box [that] elongates the leg, and a two-tone cap toe (thank you, Chanel),” she says. “I’m loving a burgundy or animal-print option and perhaps shockingly so, a white or cream ballet flat for pre-fall.”
Follow Sharkey’s lead and choose a streamlined, dark red style like this Amazon pair for fall. These shoes offer a pop of color but still feel neutral enough for easy styling. They also include criss-cross Mary Jane straps and a sleek square-toe silhouette. One reviewer said that they’re durable and “[look] great on the foot,” adding, “I could not believe I got such a well-made shoe for so cheap.”
Dream Pairs Bowknot Ballet Flats
$35 $28 at Amazon
Sometimes simple is better, as is the case with these ballet flats. With a round toe and leg-lengthening low vamp, they tick two of Sharkey’s boxes, plus they’re available in the stylist’s recommended color. What’s more, these flats can fold to fit in your bag, and they’re so comfortable, one reviewer said, “It’s like wearing cozy slippers but professional.”
To style them, Sharkey says, “We’re seeing [ballet flats] almost ironically added to outfit bases to create a juxtaposition and degree of tension in the look.” Essentially, ballet flats can work with a range of looks, even the outfits that may not be typically suited for them. The stylist recommends pairing them with a T-shirt and track shorts or a blazer and baggy denim for a fresh and unexpected outfit.
Related: Katie Holmes, Gwyneth Paltrow, and More Stars Are Wearing This Summer-to-Fall Ballet Flat Trend — from $17
Steve Madden Leni Flats
$90 $75 at Amazon
As for textures to look out for in fall ballet flats, Sharkey points to “suede, calf hair, or woven leather.” This pair from Steve Madden feels like a seasonal staple with its luxurious suede finish and chestnut brown color. It also has an elegant almond-toe shape and curved vamp cutout. Rest assured — they’re comfortable, too. A five-star reviewer wrote, “You can spend the entire day wearing them without aches and painful experiences.”
I found more ballet flats from Amazon that match Sharkey’s recommendations. Keep scrolling to shop expert-approved styles, including animal-printed pairs and flats inspired by Chanel’s two-tone design.
Amazon Essentials Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats
$21 $18 at Amazon
Modatope Ballet Flats
$59 $50 at Amazon
Dream Pairs Mary Jane Shoes
$33 $20 at Amazon
Putaoma Woven Mary Jane Flats
$39 at Amazon
Afeetsing Round-Toe Ballet Flats
$23 at Amazon
Franco Sarto Tinsley Mary Jane Flats
$145 $75 at Amazon
Dolce Vita Conrad Flats, $51 with coupon
$135 $51 at Amazon
Steve Madden Divy Flats
$110 $60 at Amazon
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