High humidity and scorching heat are generally a recipe for sweat - and therefore, chafing - but with these on my feet, I felt like I wasn’t wearing any shoes at all. I wore a pair (which was kindly gifted to me by the brand) to work on a 90-degree day in New York City. Thanks to a cushioned insole and the smooth, flexible leather, you can expect the shoe to hug each foot like a glove. The shoe comes in seven shades, including a mix of gem tones and a classic pale pink ballerina color that resembles a pointe shoe. With the subtle square-toe, they echo a timeless and elegant vibe without looking as though they came straight from your grandmother’s closet. We hold our “best overall” shoes to a pretty high standard - not only do they need to be chic and versatile, but they also must be comfortable. The leather stretches a bit after wear, so if you’re in between sizes, it might be better to size down to ensure a better fit. With its butter-soft Italian leather, modernized shape, and reasonable price tag, Everlane’s Italian Leather Day Ballet Flat won our Best Overall spot. Then, I chatted with stylists to compile a list of flats that are nothing like the ones I wore in high school. What used to be a boring flat shoe is now updated with a bunch of modern shapes (I’m partial to the square-toe shape), fresh styles, bold colors, and unexpected textures.īecause there’s enough choices that can easily make your head spin, I researched and tested the best ballet flats on the market. I’m not sure if my sudden interest in them sparked because they’re trendy again (thank you, balletcore) or because I needed a casual yet elegant pair of shoes to wear to work, but either way, I’m surprisingly not mad about it. But, sure enough, years later, they’re back in my rotation. Whether I was sprinting for the bus, running around the schoolyard at lunch, or anxiously tapping my foot during a math exam, the plain, dainty shoes hugged my feet everywhere I went.Īfter high school graduation, I swore them off.

And while the plaid skirts and school crests changed over the years, one thing stayed the same: The ballet flats. For most of my life - kindergarten to 12th grade, to be exact - I wore a uniform. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m wearing ballet flats again.

Black round toe ballet flats