Shopping Guide: Beautiful Ballet Flats
January 22nd, 2009
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
What better shoe is there for the modern woman than the simple, ever elegant ballet flat? Perfect for women on the go, ballet flats are a practical mix of form and function.
Ballet flats were first made popular by Brigitte Bardot when she graced the silver screen in a pair made by Reppeto in 1956. Now, more than fifty years later, Reppeto still makes a variety of ballet flats that fit a modern woman’s lifestyle. Our ballet flat shopping guide includes classic styles from Repetto–but also gathers styles from other price points so that you can find the right shoe for you:
Our $ Picks:
Xhilaration Simone Stretch Ballet Flats | $14.99 (sale) at Target
Mossimo Velma Patent Ballet Flats | $17.49 (sale) at Target
American Eagle Millie Bow Ballet Flat | $19.99 at Payless
Our $$ Picks:
Jane Suede Ballet Flats | $98 at J Crew
Repetto Beauty Ballad | $123 (sale) at Zoe
Repetto Enfance Ballerine | $165 (sale) at Zoe
Our $$$ Picks:
Repetto Houps Ball | $255 at Zoe
Lanvin Patent Cowhide Ballet Flats | $540 at Zoe
Lanvin Embroidery Ballet Shoe | $570 at Zoe
Entry Filed under: Shopping Guide,Women
16 Comments
1. Chera | January 22nd, 2009 at 5:48 am
I do not recommend the first ballet flats listed (the ones from Target). I have (had) a pair in silver and they could only be worn a short period of time before cutting deeply into the back of the heel. They were adorable and cheap, but not very comfortable!
2. Ellen | January 22nd, 2009 at 7:44 am
Thanks for the list! I love ballet flats and need to refresh some of my options. I’ll be at Target looking for some when I’m in the States in a few weeks!
3. Sal | January 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Naturally, I’m drawn to the Lanvins … the MOST expensive of the bunch!
4. Siri | January 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I really love this collection … good to see the wide ranges of the ballet flats, i like the second and third in the target list. They are awesome.
5. Jessica | January 22nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I love ballet flats. I have about 20 pairs in a variety of colors and testures. I find them perfect for shopping trips, work, and even with bermuda short in the summer when my toes are not polished. Tip for everyone, I tend to go with the balley flats that are between $20-$40. I find that they are a little more cushioned in the sole and many of them have a runnber bottome that’s not obscene so it cuts down on on wear and tear and increases comfort1
Keep up the great work you all do!
6. Mimi | January 22nd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I like my ballet flats though I don’t wear flats much
7. Maryam | January 22nd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Oh, I love ballet flats. I own a pair of the third ones (American Eagle from Payless) and they’re my favorite pair.
8. Trisha | January 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Good call on the uncomfortableness of the first pair, Chera. I’ve had similar comfort issues with other types of stretch flats.
Jessica – thanks for the ballet flat shopping tip! Great stuff.
Sal – yes, I’m drawn to the Lanvins too. The curse of expensive taste!
9. Loralie | January 25th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I love ballet flats! They’re so easy and you can find nice ones cheap easily. They’re almost the only type of shoe I own!
10. enny | January 28th, 2009 at 1:29 am
im totally love balets flats.there are perfectly ones to match my very not perfectly feet.well,my feet was so big at the toes and wearing a ballets flats really helps me to cover my feets.
11. meredith | January 29th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
These look like great ballet flats, but have any of you ever heard of Sue London?!! I would just DIE without my sue london’s– they are so comfortable for city walking. I usually get them from Wink in Soho, they have a million colors and they will ship them to you free of charge if you call 212-334-3646
cheers!!!!
12. caesy | August 18th, 2009 at 10:04 am
such ugly shoes
13. shijka | January 24th, 2010 at 8:20 am
I love ballet flats very much… and I collect it.. but in my country sale not much ballet flats, and how In buy this b.flats//
14. ann | February 15th, 2011 at 3:47 am
I love them all
15. Kemily | September 4th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
We’re soooo sad!!!! We love the american eagles ones but we can’t find them anywhere anymore!!!!! someone tell us where they are!!!!
16. B.A | February 15th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
i have the j.crew ! totally like the blue one here (chose number 4) but in orange-gold! so nice&chic! good shoes!