The ballet flat has had a long and interesting fashion history, with various versions coming in and out of style since its very first iteration. This is perhaps because it exudes timelessness and femininity, while being easily adaptable to seasonal trends. If you want to learn a little bit more about the ballet flat, you’ve found the right place!

Below, I’ll share a quick history of the ballet flat, give you some outfit inspiration, and suggest some tips on buying the perfect pair.

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A Brief History of the Ballet Flat

The ballet flat actually originated from ballet shoes. Although ballet shoes first came on the scene in the 18th century, the modern ballet shoe we can see on stage today was created by Salvatore Capezio. After seeing the shoes and realizing their potential, a designer named Claire Mccardell asked Capezio if he could add a hard sole to the shoe so she could use them as the shoes in her collection in 1941.

In 1947, Rose Reppetto designed her famous style. Brigitte Bardot loved the look and wore them in one of her movies. With this style icon on board, the ballet flat really took off. Throughout the years, other style mavens like Princess Diana and Audrey Hepburn loved and wore the style and increased its popularity. 

Despite some style updates like buckles, new fabrics, new shapes, laces, and more, the classic ballet shape has never changed too much. As ballet flats are perfect for a comfortable and put-together look, it’s really no surprise.

2 Ways to Wear the Ballet Flat

Below the ballet flat is styled in two different ways. Although I usually try to use the same product for each outfit, this time I decided to show how to wear two different pairs – a modern ballet flat and a more classic one.