It was waaay back in May 2022 when Alaïa first debuted its now-iconic mesh ballet flats. The French fashion house quickly became responsible for some of the most coveted – and copied – ballet flats on the market, with the semi-see-through style becoming a signature of spring/summer footwear collections spanning the runway and high street alike.
This season is no exception. More elevated than a plain and simple pump, while still possessing that easy, slip-on wearability, it's no wonder as to why. In fact, the trend is officially bigger and better than ever before, with the look expanding across various silhouettes and materials.
Think: crochet designs with wrap-around ankle ties, more sophisticated open-weave leather iterations, plus optional Mary Jane cross-foot straps adorning select styles, too. There are even jelly takes on the look that combine two trends in one shoe, ideal for summer getaways on sandy shores.
Closer to home, the easiest way to update your attire for spring is to slip on a pair of these. An effortless alternative that's just as polished as your loafers and just as comfy as your trainers, wear them with jeans and a nice top to add an on-trend touch to even the simplest of outfits. Likewise, their feminine flair ensures they work effortlessly well with floaty summer dresses – even if you have to layer a knit jumper over the top to combat the seasonal breeze.
When it comes to shopping the trend, the high street has spoiled us for choice. Next's satin weave ballet flats nail the look in this season's still-favourite chocolate brown colourway. Plus, from the brand's Forever Comfort® range, you can wear them all day long without the risk of rubbing or blisters.
Shop some of our favourite woven ballets below:
Ancient Greek Sandals Aerati Ballet Flat - Natural
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
