“THE RESURGENCE OF THE BALLET FLAT”
“The ballet flat has become a staple within American footwear, and has taken its place yet again within the limelight. However, its recent comeback is not just a trend in fashion, but a comment on the transition in cultural and political ideas.”
Story: Shawn Ware
Ballet flats are becoming a staple for Americans. From the Puma release of the “Speedcat suede ballet shoe”, to Uggs’ “Zora Ballerina Flat”, and the iconic yet controversial Maison Margiela Tabi: people cannot get enough. Pink Pantheress— our mother of electronic dance music and pop, is rallying to bring teen girls to participate in the trend. Alongside her partnership with Uggs in Spring 2026, she also released a fierce commercial in September with former Disney star Rowan Blanchard, showcasing Ugg’s new take on the classic shoe.
The notable shoe is fun, flirty, and has incredible range. It seems the most popular look includes a pair of wide-legged flare jeans, paired with a simple top, and of course, the ballet flats to complete the outfit.
But why have ballet flats returned in the closets of Americans? What does this imply about women's current views on fashion and beauty?
Audrey Hepburn wearing the “Audrey Hepburn” flats
Ballet flats have graced the presence of several closets since the late 1950s. The shoe was inspired by the footwear of a classical art: ballet. Motivated by this inspiration, renowned Italian fashion shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo created the “Audrey Hepburn” flat in 1954 for the talented actress. The actress popularized the shoe with her ravishing style and flair.
During the 1950s, women were becoming centralized within American foreground fashion. They now had more say over what was in season and what was not. Women were becoming more decisive over what they wore, and what they chose to deem fashionable. In part, this is due to fashion houses realizing how they can profit off of making products marketable to women, and women demanding more autonomy over their fashion choices.
Although women now have more liberty over what they choose to wear and how they want to express themselves– in comparison to the 1950s–we still live in a time that is quite frightening for women, and their rights are actively being restricted.
The ballet flat has constantly wove in and out of popularity, which coincides with the shift in ideals and the political climate. The shoe had a notable reign in the 2000s, but most of Gen-Z who were born during the middle of this decade didn’t experience the trend at its peak. Recently, the return of the shoe could be interpreted as a sign of how Gen-Z often yearns for a time they either cannot remember or were simply not there for. There is a desire that exists amongst the youth for vintage media, clothing, and wanting to go back to a “simpler” time.
This aesthetic allows women to embrace their ideas of femininity and express themselves in a style sometimes deemed as childish or not fit for older girls and young women. It reclaims aspects of womanhood that girls were taught to be ashamed of, and equated to being less than.
Balletcore is an aesthetic that has derived from nostalgia and Gen-Z wanting to return to activities they did as children, like ballet. Balletcore highlights clothing that is inspired by outfits worn by ballerinas, it consists of the color pink, lace, sleek buns, flats, tights, leg warmers, and leotards.
However, balletcore is just a fraction of this movement. This current reign of ballet flats is arguably the most notable one because it has brought such dynamic, unique styles of the classic shoe. Now, we do not simply have just the ballet flat, but we have ballet flat sneakers, that are a sporty, sleek hybrid. And if you wish to be a bit daring, you can choose mesh ballet flats for something that is a bit more breathable for your feet during warm weather.
This resurgence of ballet flats, and the development of the balletcore aesthetic, is not simply just about the clothes. It is about what it represents on a grander scale.When women and young girls are placing bows in their hair, and wearing flats it’s not just because it looks good, but because it allows them to revert back to their childhood, a time where they may have felt liberated.
Therefore, in the future, when you examine the resurgence of American footwear and fashion trends associated with women, it is important to connect it to the shifts in attitudes towards beauty, in addition to changes made in the political climate.