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Ballet flats—tabis, flats with bows and accessories, and mesh slippers, to name a few “spinoffs”—have been all the rage in 2024. They’re not going anywhere anytime soon, and are projected to be the shoe of the summer. Let's talk about why you should invest in ballet flats with ankle straps: they’re the perfect combination of sultry, quirky, and trendy to incorporate into your wardrobe. Plus, you’ll be far ahead of the trend curve.
Strappy, studded flats are a play on the faux-metal, Y2K trend. Plus, when they come in colors like off-white, cream, and baby pink, the contrast between the femininity of flats and the sharpness of the studs do the work of elevating your look. Plus, with an acutely feminine look, they’re a more unique manifestation of the already unique strappy ballet flats look.
You’ve definitely seen early 2000s movies with the sexy, Cool Girl characters rocking these. They’re chic, elegant, tasteful, and will persist beyond the trend cycle. So, if you’re wanting to look trendy this summer without a.) breaking the bank; or b.) having to swap out your shoe games for newer, trendier pairs, then these are for you. Plus, they go with everything: you can wear them with your sundress, boxers, biker shorts, or jeans and they’re bound to look stylish. You can also opt for a more Mary Jane-esque look, a chunkier look, or a strappier look—you can really experiment with the “classic” foundation, which is why we love these.
These are durable and pseudo-corporate: the office-siren-type of ballet flat manifestation. You can wear these to your beach weekend getaway or the office, and you’re bound to turn heads in both cases. These are also a nod to preppy Y2K looks—a somewhat similar nostalgia to the studded ballet flats. These would look adorable with a more dressy, fancier look—although we’re certainly not stopping you from experimenting.
The aesthetic of the year: coquette. And obviously, with a feminine statement piece like ballet flats, how could we not include a nod towards the coquette? These are perfectly (subtly) pink, have ribbon adornments, and are stretchier than the other options we’ve mentioned. With a slouched, feminine frame, these are sure to elevate your ‘fit. Plus, they espouse a more traditional ballet “feel,” what with the extra straps spanning the whole flat and the ribbon tied around the heel. Super cute—definitely one of our favorites.
With a pop of chunky heel, the pseudo-Mary Janes—the MJ adjacents—are comfortable, giving us panache French-summer vibes, and can be dressed up or down. Plus, like the “classic,” these will certainly withstand the trend cycle—you won’t want to give these up. The shiny, impeccable finish also does the work of making your outfit classy and branded. Think an elevated, sexy, academic look.
These are “camp” in the same way that white toe nails are camp: they are an explicit kind of indulgence, a nod to the lavish and esteemed. We already know that anklets are sexy and luxurious, so why has it taken us this long to incorporate them into our shoes? These are the perfect strappy ballet flats: they’re unique yet trendy, eye-catching yet subtle, and are exciting for the detail-oriented girls. Huge yes from us.
Strappy meets 2024’s obsession with chrome. Again—like the studded flats—they are a nod to a different facet of Y2K’s “obsessed with the future” tendencies, a kind of conceptualizing of the past’s imagination of the future. These are brilliantly bold, beautifully chrome, and can certainly serve as the statement piece of any outfit. Plus, super strappy = super cute.
So, as ballet flats continue to dominate the It Girl’s Shoe Rotation, we hope that we’ve convinced you ahead of the trend curve. Happy shopping!
