Ballet was not my dance discipline of choice growing up (I'm more of a commercial dance girl, thanks for asking), but as all fashion-lovers know, having no idea about a sport does not preclude you from loving, and owning, all of its associated gear. Be it riding jackets, or , street style's adoption of sportswear (cycling glasses, bowling bag handbags, ..
. I could go on) has always been a 'thing' – and ballet shoes are an enduring example. First embraced in the 'Indie Sleaze' era circa 2007, when the late wore hers battered with and , ballet flats have been a key for a a good couple of years now.
Since , first seen on the SS22 runway, sparked a thousand copycats, the humble ballerina has been reinvented in countless guides: this season, , studded iterations and sweet Mary Janes are all on the menu. Cementing the shoe's longevity in the fashion world, Gucci's featured countless pairs as models weaved their way around a verdant installation at London’s Tate Modern earlier this year. Styles varied from classical gathered-at-the-toe satin finishes— complete with horse-bit detailing — to red leather multi-strap variations.
There were also particularly great rounded-toe styles that featured ribbon ties around the ankle. I prefer the look of a real ballet shoe's silhouette, so last summer I bought from real dance brands like and the Paris Opera for my initial investments. As winter came about and a solid sole was useful, Arket, Wolf & Gypsy Vintage and Jeffrey Campbell all c.
