The best ballet flats are no fleeting comeback. The humble pump is everywhere, from the divisive jelly shoe and mesh trend to more everyday leather and suede styles.
Despite enjoying huge favour in the Noughties (see the era’s It-girls Alexa Chung and Sienna Miller), the shoe’s pivot from ballet essential to fashion staple actually has its roots in the early 20th century, when designer Claire McCardell introduced them in her collections.
Further popularising the style, Bridget Bardot and Audrey Hepburn wore ballet flats on the big screen during the Fifties and Sixties, while Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana both regularly plumped for the dainty style. In the late 2000s, however, ballet flats slowly fell from grace.
The latest revival began with Miu Miu’s luxe satin pump, one of the most sought-after shoes in 2023, along with Ganni’s cult buckle ballerinas, The Row’s Ava flats, Dear Frances’s divisive mesh design and Alaïa’s crystal-adorned ballet flat.
They’re not only popular with fashion houses (Chanel’s simple style remains a bestseller), but the high street is also brimming with styles. This season’s hottest trends – think animal print and a pop of red – can all be seen in the latest designs, from New Look and Monsoon to M&S and Anthropologie.
How we tested
To ease you out of summer and into transitional dressing, I enlisted the help of our fashion team to round up the best options from the high street and mid-range designers.
- Comfort: Of course, comfort is key when it comes to shopping for shoes. Though style matters when it comes to ballet flats, above all, we wanted pumps that offered all-day support and cushioning on the footbed. We wanted them to fit snug, but not to dig in, with plenty of room around the toes.
- Everyday practicality: Our testing team ranges from a size 5 to a size 8, with both flat-footed and arched feet in the mix. We tested these ballet flats on busy commutes to the office, long days out, and even put them through their paces on a night out.
- Materials: We wanted the ballet flats to be worthwhile investments, so we looked for materials built to last – think leather and suede. For the cheaper options that were made out of faux materials, we balanced whether they were still worth the investment despite the less durable design.
- Style: Taking note of trends like metallics, leopard print and suede, we also considered whether the ballet flats were timeless enough to still be worn in a year or two’s time. No single-wear summer here.
- Value for money: We've included everything from affordable high street takes to mid-range labels that are worth every penny. There areoptions for both ends of the budget.
Why trust me
As senior shopping writer at The Independent, I specialise in reviewing fashion, so I know what makes a well-crafted, comfortable and on-trend shoe. Where ballet flats are concerned, I was quick to jump on the revival nearly two years ago and wear flat pumps most days. As such, I know the best brands that combine affordability and quality, looking for trend-led styles that are still a timeless investment. I apply the same thorough testing approach as I do my other guides, from flip flops to the best mid-range designer bags.
The best ballet flats for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Asos Design luxe premium leather Mary Jane ballet flats: £32.50, Asos.com
- Best budget buy – Topshop Ash leather ruched ballet flats: £34, Asos.com
- Best red pair – GH Bass Selma ballet flats, soft red leather: £135, Ghbass-eu.com
- Best leopard-print design – Vagabond wioletta shoes: £90, Vagabond.com
- Best designer pair – Ganni off-white feminine buckle ballerinas: £325, Ganni.com
Asos Design luxe premium leather Mary Jane ballet flats
Best: Ballet flats overall
Size range: UK 3-9
Colourways: Black, leopard print, black with gems
Why we love it
- Comfortable
- Simple everyday design
Trust us, these Asos Design premium ballet flats are among the most comfortable shoes in our rotation. We have the red pair from last summer, but the black, leopard print and on-trend black with gems versions are new for this season. Inspired by Mary Jane silhouettes, the flats boast a square toe and an adjustable strap, with a pink buckle fastening adding interest.
Super comfortable and supportive, the shoes are crafted from soft and flexible leather. Immediately elevating a simple outfit, the black will be a hero addition to your wardrobe, whether styled with a white poplin maxi skirt or black minidress.
Buy now £32.50, Asos.com
Topshop Ash leather ruched ballet flats
Best: Budget ballet flats
Size range: UK 3-9
Colourways: Yellow, black, off-white
Why we love it
- On-trend colour
- Timeless silhouette
Take note
- Run small
- Not the most supportive
Lean into this season’s hottest colourway with these Topshop ballet flats. The simple design is inspired by classic Mary Jane silhouettes, featuring a sleek almond toe and slim strap with pin-buckle fastening. The buckle is adjustable, helping to customise the fit, while the rounded toe ensures your feet are snug but not cramped. However, they come up a little small, so we’d suggest sizing up.
The upper is 100 per cent leather, which feels soft and smooth against your skin. The sole isn’t the most supportive on the balls of your feet, but they don’t rub or dig in, which is always a big plus.
Buy now £34.00, Asos.com
Monsoon Lizzy leopard print Mary Jane flats
Best: Mary Jane style ballet flats
Size range: EU 37-42
Colourways: Leopard print
Why we love it
- Super comfy
- Requires no breaking in
- On-trend
Take note
- No arch support
Thanks to their comfortable design, these shoes needed zero breaking in during testing, despite our reviewer having hypersensitive feet. These funky, versatile flats will add a fun pop of colour and playful twist to just about any outfit, easily elevating even the most casual looks. The shoes are ideal for spring and summer, pairing perfectly with floaty skirts, dresses, and even jeans.
The bold print means they also work as a statement shoe for dressier occasions – a great alternative to heels when you want comfort without compromising on style. Our one quibble is the lack of arch support – you may start to feel it if wearing this pair for long stretches. Still, for everyday wear and easy style points, this pair of ballet pumps is a real winner.
Buy now £39.00, Monsoon.co.uk
GH Bass Selma ballet flats, soft red leather
Best: Red ballet flats
Size range: UK 3-8
Colourways: Red, black, navy, silver, tan
Why we love it
- Very comfortable
- Well-crafted
Take note
- Expensive
Founded more than a century ago, American footwear brand GH Bass has gained a contemporary audience thanks to its smart and sophisticated loafers. Now, it’s branched into ballet flats. The Selma style nods to the brand’s bestselling loafers, with decorative pinch stitching and sleek square toe. Of all the ballet flats we’ve tested, this pair gets the most kudos for comfort.
The soft Nappa leather is ultra-soft and malleable, while the leather lining is comfortable and breathable. Complete with a rubber heel pad for extra grip and support with every tread, the inner sole is crafted from soft suede. The pumps fit true to size and are distinguished by their vintage, worn-in look. Available in a statement red, there are also black, navy, silver and timeless tan options, so there’s a shade for every taste.
Buy now £135.00, Ghbass-eu.com
Dune brown suede ballerinas
Best: Suede ballet flats
Size range : EU 36-41
Colourways: Brown, burgundy
Why we love it
- Soft suede
- Comfortable
- Good for workwear
Chloe, Miu Miu and Prada all made a case for the suede in their spring/summer 2025 collections, and the fabric is everywhere this season. A ballet flat is one of the easiest ways to nod to the trend this summer, with this Dune pair ticking all my boxes for the perfect ballerinas. The dainty style features a flat heel with an almond-shaped toe.
Adding a contemporary touch to the classic silhouette, the pumps boast cut-out detailing on the toe and a bow. The soft and supple suede outer isn’t at all stiff or constrictive, making them a dream to wear straight out of the box. The flats have corporate appeal too, with the smart design a great choice for the office.
Buy now £79.00, Johnlewis.com
M&S woven ballet pumps
Best: Woven ballet flats
Size range: UK 3-8
Colourways: Red, black, silver
Why we love it
- Statement look
- Supportive
Take note
- They run a little big
These pumps offer a luxury look at a purse-friendly price. The woven design is elegant and eye-catching, while the easy slip-on design gives them extra everyday appeal. The ballet flats boast a slightly raised heel, pointed toe and elongated vamp. The dark berry finish offers a lavish take on the pop-of-red trend, but the pumps also come in chic black and statement metallic finishes.
The shoes come up a smidge large, so we suggest sizing down if you’re between sizes. Featuring M&S’s signature insolia flex technology, the sole is designed to improve the natural movement of your walk, and the shoes feel super supportive and cushioned underfoot. Adding texture and colour to your outfits, they’ll serve you right through summer, thanks to the breathable woven finish.
Buy now £45.00, Marksandspencer.com
Anthropologie Maeve pointed-toe moto Mary Jane flats
Best: Buckled ballet flats
Size range: UK 3-8
Colourways: Black, white, green and pink
Why we love it
- Chic design
Take note
- Cut into heels during first walk
If you’re after statement flats that look more expensive than they are, this is the pair for you. Reminiscent of the viral Ganni buckle ballerinas – but less than a third of the price – the shoes channel Scandi cool-girl energy. With their exaggerated pointed toe, glossy finish and chunky buckle detail, the tailored silhouette gives the same leg-lengthening effect as a pair of stilettos, which is ideal if you love the look of heels but hate wearing them.
To get the best fit, we wore this pair with socks to help break them in gently. This worked a treat, softening the pointed toe area, so we could step out without any toe-pinching or crushing. Initially, the shoes did rub the backs of our heels, so we’d recommend popping some plasters in your bag, but the material soon softened and shaped to our feet. All in all, this is a stylish and wearable pick for everything from office days to nights out.
Buy now £65.00, Anthropologie.com
Vivaia lace-up satin sneakerina
Best: Ballet-flat trainers
Size range: UK 2.5-8.5, including half sizes
Colourways: Light gold, black, light pink, blue
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Stylish
- Well-crafted
The ballet pump trend has officially entered the trainer world. Puma launched a hybrid shoe that divided the internet, while Bella Hadid has been spotted in this pair of Vivaia “sneakerinas”. We’ll admit, we didn’t think we were going to like the ballet-flat-cum-trainer, but we’re sold. The shoes are made of satin, leaning them more toward a traditional ballet flat than Puma’s speedcat flats (£70, Asos.com) or Adidas’s taekwondo mei shoes (£100, Adidas.co.uk).
This pair is a dream to wear, too, owing to the near-weightless design and silky-smooth fabric. The triple-layer sole provides comfort and support. The shoes are complete with two shoelaces, offering extra versatility for styling: one is a classic trainer style, the other is luxurious satin for a more delicate look. Style with capri pants (à la Hadid) or contrast the feminine shoes with baggy, wide-leg jeans. The white pair Hadid plumped for has sold out three times since she first wore the shoes earlier this year, so act fast if you want to grab them for yourself.
Buy now £135.00, Vivaia.com
JW Pei Reilly fishnet ballerina flats
Best: vegan ballet flats
Size range: UK 5-9, including half sizes
Colourways: Apricot, pink beige, beige, black
Why we love it
- Unique style
- Vegan
Take note
- Rubs at the heel
One of the most unique takes on a ballet flat we've seen, this shoe is crafted from vegan-friendly leather wrapped and pinched in a soft mesh. Topped off with a coquettish bow, the style draws the eye down with its statement pointed toe, making a perfect accompaniment to a pair of ankle-grazing jeans.
The back of the shoe originally caught on our heels while walking, causing some small blisters. However, the soft vegan leather quickly adjusted and moulded to the shape of our feet. The extra mesh around the balls of the feet can cause the widest part of the shoe to appear a tad cumbersome as the foot bends to walk. If you're in between sizes, we might suggest opting for the lower of the two, especially given how the leather naturally stretches with repetitive wear.
Buy now £59.00, Jwpei.co.uk
Vagabond wioletta shoes
Best: Leopard print ballet flats
Size range: UK 3-8
Colourways: Leopard print, black, red, light brown suede, off-white
Why we love it
- Statement print
- Sturdy
Take note
- Need wearing in
This pair makes a bold statement. The textured design is crafted from hair-on cow leather, complete with a tanned leather lining and inner sole. Durable, sturdy and likely to be very long-lasting, the tough materials mean we found the flats needed to be worn in (blister plasters at the ready).
The bold animal print finish is complete with a slim buckle strap with silver hardware, an exaggerated square toe and a thin black sole. The pointed silhouette gives the illusion of heels when paired with long-length trousers, jeans or skirts, making them an excellent occasion-wear choice. They provide an effortless way to elevate a simple outfit, but they’re a lot more expensive than some of the other options we tested.
Buy now £90.00, Vagabond.com
Ganni off-white feminine buckle ballerinas
Best: Designer ballet flats
Size range: UK 2-9
Colourways: 15
Why we love it
- Stylish
- Comfortable
- Statement
Take note
- Very expensive
Since their debut in 2021, Ganni’s buckle flats have become the Scandi label’s most recognisable style. The brand has put a characteristically cool spin on the perennially chic ballet flat silhouette. Featuring a slingback strap, patent finish, chunky silver buckles and a square block heel, the shoes are crafted from calf leather with engraved Ganni logos.
This pair’s cult appeal lies in its versatility. Whether worn with baggy, wide-leg jeans or styled with maxi poplin skirts or minidresses in the summer, the designer flats are an investment for year-round wear. Surprisingly comfortable at first thanks to the soft leather, the shoes began to rub on our toes by the end of the day, so they do take a bit of wearing in. Overall, they’re a hero shoe for footwear fanatics who are happy to splurge.
Buy now £325.00, Ganni.com
AllSaints Aurora metallic leather ballet shoe
Best: Metallic ballet flats
Sizing range: UK 3-8
Colourways: Metallic, black
Why we love it
- Statement style
- Comfortable
Made from sheep leather, these AllSaints ballet flats feel durable and sturdy while being soft and smooth against the skin. The grunge-inspired brand has put its signature edgy spin on the delicate ballet flat trend by adding statement buckle detailing and an arresting silver finish.
The three adjustable straps feature exaggerated silver hardware and create a chunky silhouette. Complete with a square toe and pull tab, the slip-on style offers a comfortable and snug fit, while the rubber sole provides ample support day-to-day. The metallic finish adds a flash of interest to any outfit, while the black alternative with gold hardware boasts a punk aesthetic.
Buy now £135.00, Allsaints.com
Dear Frances Balla weave strap, black
Best: Luxury ballet flats
Size range: EU 35-42
Colourways: Black
Why we love it
- Very wearable
- Dainty design
Take note
- Very expensive
The label arguably responsible for making mesh ballet flats popular, Dear Frances’s luxury hand-crafted shoes are built to last (goodbye, single-wear summer). While we love the mesh look, the label’s weave straps feel more timeless.
Dainty, delicate and wearable thanks to the flat cuoio heel, the Balla shoes are hand-woven in Nappa leather. Designed with the label’s signature directional silhouette, the flats are detailed with a patent adjustable strap and fastened with a lacquered resin buckle. Despite being so low to the ground, they feel supportive and cushioned, while the rounded toe provides extra comfort. You’ll cherish them for many summers to come - if you can get past that eye-watering price tag.
Buy now £395.00, Dearfrances.com
Next leather round toe Mary Janes
Best: For comfort
Size range : 3-9
Colourways : Black, navy, yellow, pink
Why we love it
- Very comfortable
Take note
- Quite narrow
These Mary Jane-style flats from Next are surprisingly comfortable, thanks to the soft and flexible leather construction, markedly squishy insoles and the small but noticeable padding in the heel. That being said, they weren’t faultless as we did find that they rubbed one of our little toes, the culprit here being the narrow, slightly pointed silhouette. With that in mind, we wouldn't recommend these if you have a wide foot.
In terms of design, they’re simple, classic and chic, with a slim silhouette. We also loved the double strap, which comes complete with two delicate silver buckles, and we were surprised that they didn’t cut into our feet despite being quite thin. We opted for the black pair and teamed them with a blue wide leg jean. However, there are plenty of other colour options available, including navy suede and summer-ready pastels.
Buy now £42.00, Next.co.uk
Which are the best ballet flats?
Comfortable, stylish and affordable, Asos’s ballet flats have walked away with this season’s crown. If you’re looking for leopard print, plump for Vagabond’s statement pumps or make a more minimalist statement with GH Bass’s red flats. If you’ve budgeted a little more, Ganni’s buckle ballerinas are worth every penny if you’re after a luxury spin on the trend.
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