I Just Found the Most Expensive-Looking French-Girl Shoes for £35 at M&S

Stop everything—especially if you’re a ballet-flat fan or simply an appreciator of great shoes (I think that covers most of us)—because I’ve just come across the chicest pair I’ve seen in a long time, and they’re only £35.

Long-time readers of Who What Wear UK won’t be surprised to hear that I actually found these gems at Marks and Spencer, one of our go-tos for expensive-looking, high-quality wardrobe basics. Its new Leather Bow Ballet Pumps are no exception to that rule. Simple yet perfectly formed, these slip-on flats come in super-comfortable, buttery-soft leather, have a rounded toe and are finished with a pretty bow. But the thing that really brings them bang up to date is the elasticated strap across the top. Unsurprisingly, like most cult accessory trends these days, this feature was first spotted on The Row’s catwalk, so finding a pair so similar on the high street is a serious win in my eyes.

marks-and-spencer-ballet-flat-301320-1658490597299-image

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

So chic.

marks-and-spencer-ballet-flat-301320-1658490599534-image

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Choose from timeless black or a pretty, soft pink.

Of course, as soon as I saw these shoes drop online, I snapped them up in both colours and then proceeded to see how many ways I could style them up. Inspired by the understated ways French girls always wear their favourite ballet flats, I loved them best with cropped jeans and tailored shorts. But they’d also look cute with miniskirts, skinny jeans, cropped tailored trousers and shirt dresses, to name a few. They're the perfect workwear and weekend accessory.

Scroll down to find links to shop Marks and Spencer’s new ballet flats. And if you love them as much as I do, be sure to add them to your cart sharpish, since we know from experience that M&S winners sell out in lightning speed. I’ve also shopped out my outfits and added some more of my favourite ballet flats below…

Shop the M&S Leather Bow Ballet Pumps

marks-and-spencer-ballet-flat-301320-1658490598919-image

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

I love them paired with shorts and a longline blazer.

marks-and-spencer-ballet-flat-301320-1658490598096-image

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

How good do they look with jeans?

SHOP THE LOOK

marks-and-spencer-ballet-flat-301320-1658490598449-image

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

The lighter colourway is just as versatile. 

marks-and-spencer-ballet-flat-301320-1658490599267-image

(Image credit: @emilyjdawes)

Style with shorts, trousers, dresses and more.

SHOP THE LOOK

Shop More of the Best Ballet Flats

Up Next: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Emily Dawes
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.

Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.