How To Wear Ballet Flats This Autumn
By
3 hours ago
Twirl your way into the new season in style
The most enduring shoe trend of 2025? It has to be ballet flats. Whether worn relaxed and casual with jeans and a tee or dressed up with statement tights and a mini, a pair of chic pumps can go a long way in polishing off your look. And with summer now behind us, we’re looking at ways we can give our favourite pair of shoes an autumnal upgrade: here’s how to wear ballet flats this season.
Ballet Flats Are (Still) Trending
Now, it might not be a new fashion trend, but ballet flats are surely one of the most enduring. Originally inspired by professional ballet shoes, the shoe is best recognised for its flat, thin soles, rounded toe and minimal look – making them a perfect fit for everyday wear.
But, as Pretty Ballerinas founder Montserrat Novau tells us, there’s an element of nostalgia that makes us want to revisit the trend again and again. ‘We’re seeing more people gravitate towards styles that feel familiar,’ she explains. ‘Sometimes just a classic design, others with a contemporary twist.’
And ballet flats are certainly familiar. As mentioned, the shoe’s origins stem from dance studios – but they became commercially popular in the mid-1900s thanks to the endorsement of Hollywood starlets like Brigitte Bardot, who had a pair specially made by designer Rose Repetto for the 1956 film And God Created Woman, and Audrey Hepburn, who also wore several pairs in the 1957 film Funny Face.
They also spark more recent memories of the early 2000s, when style icons like Alexa Chung, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller wore ballet flats all the time. (It’s arguably this style of pumps that we’re seeing a revival of amongst today’s celebrity set.)
‘That’s the great thing about them,’ notes Monsterrat. ‘Whether it was in the 50s and 60s with Audrey Hepburn, in the 2000s with Kate Moss or now with social media influencers like Matilda Djerf, ballet flats are always a favourite because of their versatility.
‘They can be worn with jeans, skirts, dresses and even in autumn/winter with socks (like Millennials and Gen Z like to style them),’ she adds. ‘They are comfortable enough to go from the office to a casual dinner, and some can even make the perfect party shoe. There are endless possibilities behind the classic ballerina and that’s why we love them.’
Still looking for inspiration? We’ve rounded up a few ideas on how to wear ballet flats throughout the autumn/winter season, so you can step out in style.
How To Wear The Trend Through Autumn/Winter
Socks & Tights
It might be cold, but there’s still room for a skirt of two in your autumn/winter wardrobe. Simply opt for a few more layers – namely socks and tights – to keep your legs and feet safe from the seasonal chill.
View this post on Instagram
Colour Pop
It’s all too easy to find yourself falling into a rut of neutral outfits come cold weather, so don’t be afraid to let your footwear give your look a little more colour. A flash of red, yellow or even animal print can really lift those winter blues – and will instantly make your outfit feel that bit more chic.
View this post on Instagram
Casual Layers
The answer to all autumn/winter woes? Several layers of insulation. You can quite easily build up your go-to spring outfit (ballet flats included) with a few extra jumpers, jackets and seasonal accessories to take it successfully into the new season – giving plenty more opportunity for your favourite pumps to make an appearance.
View this post on Instagram
Dressed Up Jeans
Need a quick way to elevate an outfit? Ballet flats should do the trick. The unofficial uniform of London’s style set, you’ll see them teaming up their pumps with a slouchy jean and a blazer. It all starts with those capsule wardrobe base layers – black jeans and a tee – before building up with those fun layers – classic jacket, brown suede bag and, of course, ballet flats. The result? Elevated everyday, without the effort.
View this post on Instagram
Monochrome Metallics
As for colour schemes, think classic black-and-white combos with splashes of silver and chrome. Coming back into fashion every autumn/winter, metallics are the perfect way to give your ballet flats a seasonal upgrade. (And for styling inspiration, look no further than Scandi label OpéraSPORT, who collaborated with Puma on its Speedcat Ballet line for the brand’s AW25 runway show.)
View this post on Instagram
The Edit: Ballet Flats
What do the ballet flats of 2025 look like exactly? Well, some are cute and dainty, some look like, well, ballet shoes and others are almost unrecognisable as the classic pump. It’s the latter we’re seeing more of on the streets of Fashion Week, with many show-goers opting for edgier an take of the ballerina – think sporty-looking mesh, chunky buckles and glittery studs.
Want in on the trend? Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most stylish ballet flats on the market right now.
