Experience the triumphant return of ballet flats, once overshadowed but now the star of 2023 and still holding its ground in 2024. Miu Miu’s influence and the rise of ‘balletcore’ have propelled ballet flats into the fashion limelight, making them an enduring trend. In the coming year, classic ballet flats are set to reign supreme, alongside biker boots and kitten heels.
Rooted in dance culture, ballet flats saw their peak in the late 1950s and 1960s, experienced a revival in the early 2000s, and then faced a period of neglect. Luxury fashion house Miu Miu, known for revitalizing fashion staples, brought back the ballet flat, turning it into a must-have for 2023. TikTok witnessed a surge in popularity with over a billion views for the ‘balletcore’ trend hashtag and 300 million for ballet shoe-related tags, signaling a robust trend confirmed by the spring-summer 2024 shows.
Timeless Elegance with a Modern Twist
Once associated with prima ballerinas, ballet flats evolved into urban footwear in the late 1950s, gaining popularity through icons like Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn. Despite being divisive, ballet flats made a resounding comeback in 2023, infused with new materials, shapes, heel heights, and accessories. The timeless ballet flat is stepping into the new year with renewed appeal.
The prominence of ballet flats was evident across shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris dedicated to the spring-summer 2024 season. Fashion houses like Sandy Liang, Tory Burch, Staud, Supriya Lele, Dior, Prada, and Miu Miu showcased ballet flat models, solidifying their status as an essential for women.
Beyond Ballet Flats: 2024 Shoe Trends
While ballet flats continue their reign, 2024 promises a diverse range of trendy footwear. According to Stylight’s Fashion Recap 2023, biker boots are set to dominate closets, surpassing sandals. Biker boots saw a 174% surge in search interest between January 1 and October 31, 2023, compared to the previous year.
Additionally, low-profile sneakers like the adidas Samba and Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 are making a strong comeback, marking a shift from chunky sneakers. Search interest for low-profile sneakers on Stylight climbed +142% in September-October compared to the preceding months.
Another noteworthy trend for the upcoming year is the resurgence of low-heeled pumps, specifically ‘slingback kitten heels.’ Search interest in this elegant style saw a 57% rise in November compared to the same period the previous year, according to the report.
