I have this recurring dream where I'm twirling around the streets of Paris at twilight, wearing a tulle Dior dress and sporting a beret in the deepest shade of noir, all the while carrying a baguette (bag or bread, either would suffice) in the crook of my arm. Of course, you can't twirl effectively in spindly stilettos, so my footwear of choice is another French-girl staple: ballet flats. Naturally, I wake to discover I'm not in Paris, that the Dior dress was merely on subconscious loan and, to my dismay, there's not a baguette ready to be devoured. However, much like Cinderella, I do have a pair of ballet flats that help me live out my Parisian fantasy in real life.
Back when I first moved to London, I wore ballet flats on repeat. My job as a fashion intern required me to hotfoot it to designer shops at a moment's notice to pick up clothing for shoots, which would inevitably need to be swiftly returned. Ballet flats allowed me to dash around the city at high speed while ensuring I looked as presentable as a sweaty 21-year-old could. However, just last week, I was shopping in Mango when I came across the perfect pair of ballet flats. It felt as if it was 2011 all over again. I slipped them on and instantly felt the comfort and Gallic charm. At a mere £46, they had to be mine.
As the week went on, I realised they went with everything I paired them with: statement skirts, tapered trousers, distressed denim, bright dresses, checks and velvet, to name a few. And I'm not the only one who's clocked on to their versatility. Now that temperatures are cooling, it seems everyone in the fashion world has picked up a pair, including Parisians who are now wearing them in place of sandals. If you haven't yet invested, I've done the hard work for you and found the very best ballet flats for every budget. Turns out that dreams really do come true.
Shop My Edit of the Best Ballet Flats:
Black flats are classic and always in style.
A patent style is a great choice for the evening.
I love the shape of these.
Leopard print fans, these are for you.
This suede pair also come in pink and burgundy.
Everyone on my Instagram has this amazing bright red iteration.
Timeless.
If you're not after a standard bow-adorned pair, opt for a square-toe iteration like these.
Navy looks so chic with white, cream and black.
Available in an array of pastels for spring.
The closet you'll get to actual ballerina shoes.
Manolos are always a great investment, and these are sure to be a favourite in your wardrobe for years to come.
I didn't know I was missing a pair of chocolate brown flats, until now.
Perfect for work.
A silver flat will add a fun touch to any simple jeans look.
I'm seeing these with jeans, a relaxed grey sweatshirt and a trench at the weekend.
I can't attest to the quality of these yet, but for £18 I'm willing to give them a try!
Aeyde's Uma flats come in six chic colours including this burgundy-come-brown hue, black, cream and silver.
I personally love an elasticated strap over the foot.
Well, I couldn't not include these viral shoes, could I?!
Opening Image: @juliesfi
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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