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These are the ballet flat styles we're buying in 2025
The Noughties shoe trend is back and it's here to stay
If padding around barefoot à la Doechii at the Chloé show during Paris Fashion Week is slightly inconvenient for your lifestyle, ballet flats are your second best chance at being ultra comfortable and unfailingly stylish. They’re versatile, easy to slip on and had a serious revival last year (alongside other ‘90s trends like cow print and low-rise jeans), and you’ll be pleased to know that they’re not going anywhere in 2025.
Now, I know we lumped them with ‘90s trends, but their nostalgia is truly boundless – flashback to 2007 and we all had a pair, or ten, of ballet flats from high street behemoth Topshop (back when the brand was in its heyday). Seriously, there was a time when you couldn’t walk down the street without seeing a gal in one of the iconic leather styles with rounded toes, grosgrain trims and pretty bows. But frankly, by the time we hit the late 2010s, ballet flats had lost their sartorial appeal and were demoted to school shoe territory.
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That said, across the channel, ballet pumps have never been out of style. French girls still rock flat shoes when tottering around Paris, and Chanel’s iconic two-tone ballerinas have continued to be a capsule wardrobe staple since they first launched in 1957. Impressive. So forget what you think you know about these comfy shoes – this season, the runways and high-street are full of mesh, embellished, woven and square-toed pumps that swing from grunge to girly, and are cooler than ever.
On the catwalk, Gucci’s Resort 2025 collection saw a parade of rodeo-inspired looks polished off with pointe-style ballet flats, while Bally opted for sleek, pointed-toe iterations for its corporate-core show. Sustainable shoe brand VIVAIA also proves that you really can have the best of both worlds with its collection of pretty and practical flats in a rainbow of colours.
For those not on a designer budget (guilty) fret not, Very and Revolve have some affordable alternatives that rival iconic luxury styles. We pretty much see these pumps working in every situation: channel off-duty model at the weekend by styling with boyfriend denim and oversized sweatshirts, or go full balletcore and dress a pair up with tulle skirts, bodysuits and pretty bows.
Keep scrolling to see Cosmo’s pick of the best ballet flats to shop now and wear forever…
If we didn’t know any better, we could almost mistake these for the Miu Miu mesh fabric ballerinas. The bow details and buckle strap defo give this Mango version a Cosmo-approved nod to the fish-net style.
Mesh and leopard print? It’s a match made in trend heaven, in our books. Throw in the ultra-chic almond toe and faux leather adjustable strap and we’re sold.
If you were desperate to graduate to pointe purely for the chance to wear the pretty shoes, these lil’ slip-ons will feel like such a treat. The thick strap and square toe give the classic look a modern twist and they come in a gorg mocha mousse colour, too. We’ll take both, thanks!
Cherry red was big for AW24 and it looks like it’s here to stay. These ruby slippers with a cute buckle strap are perfect for keeping your feet comfortable and chic when errands call. Prefer something a bit more classic? Bag them in black instead.
Twinkle toes takes on a whoooole new meaning–just look at how sparkly they are!!! We simply can’t get enough of these crystal-covered babies.
Cosmo editors personally tested these VIVAIA pumps and the consensus was that they’re a wardrobe staple. This pair is rocking a Gucci-esque aesthetic but they come in over 30 different colours. They’ve also got a ‘yoga mat’ midsole and arch support–a girl-on-the-go’s dream.
Okay okay, we know these are a liiittle spenny, but we could hardly do a ballet flats round-up and not include the brand that made mesh pumps the new hot ticket (they even got our Fashion Editor’s seal of approval). Come on, how cute will this lilac style look with milkmaid dresses and boho skirts?
Charles & Keith's white ballet flats are kinda giving us Margiela Tabi vibes (but without the divisive split-toe design). We love how the cute Mary Jane strap adds a touch of support, too.
Like your ballet ‘flats’ with a chunky heel and an excessive amount of ribbon to wind around your calves? Then these need to be on your wish list. Style them with chunky leg warmers and a denim mini for a grungy twist on the perennially pink balletcore.
With a higher cut upper and on-trend pointed toe, Jigsaw’s silver ballet flats are perf for smarter occasions. We’ll be wearing ours to the office with wide-leg trousers and swapping to boyfriend jeans on the weekend.
A cool hybrid between ballet flats and slingbacks, these Ganni pumps have quickly become a fashion set fave. We’re obsessed with the high-shine patent leather finish and oversized buckle detailing. Plus, we can confirm they are way comfier than they look.
Butter yellow fever is sweeping the fashion set RN and these super-cute flats will add a pop of sunshine to all of your spring ensembles.
If you thought Reformation was only good for pretty dresses, think again. The LA brand has been killing the shoe game this season. Cow print, where? This zebra pair from Reformation have officially stolen our hearts.
Vibi Venezia Grosgrain-trimmed velvet Mary Jane slippers
Back in 2015, inspired by quintessential Venetian slippers, sisters Viola and Vera Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga created the fanciest ballet flats we ever did see.
The brand has now been spotted on the most stylish set (we’re talking Kate Moss, ppl), and extended its range to include loafer and Mary Jane styles.
According to the SS25 runways, woven ballet flats are the new shoe trend vying for the spotlight. These are giving ‘Euro summer’ but will look just as good with your T-shirt and jeans for an off-duty model look.
Topshop Topshop Ash leather ruched ballet flat shoes with buckle in pale yellow
Who didn’t own a pair of Topshop’s iconic ballet flats back in 2007? They were a Noughties staple after all. Fast forward to 2025 and the brand is still creating chic flats, but now they feature sleek straps and dopamine-boosting colourways.
Everlane’s ballet flats are bestsellers for a reason. They provide a touch more coverage thanks to the high-cut upper, so you can wear them all year long.
Last time these Alaïa lookalikes hit the COS site, they sold out within hours – so you’ll want to secure your own ASAP.
Trust Parisian brand Sézane to nail the ballet flat – it is a French girl essential after all. We love the block wooden heel on this Matilda style. Wear yours with Breton stripes and straight-leg jeans this szn.
H&M’s black leather ballet flats are about as timeless as they get. This style will seriously go the distance in your capsule wardrobe – wear them with tights at work or on the weekend with wide-leg denim.
Shadé (pronounced sh-ah-day) is the Senior Fashion & Lifestyle Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. From what to shop in the latest Revolve flash sale to how to style the hottest new trends, she shares shopping advice, reports on new collabs and reviews your fave fashion brands.
Rosie Davenport is a former Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK and Red Online, covering fashion, beauty and travel reviews, as well as major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Rosie has reviewed everything from Reformation dresses to the latest massage guns and knows the new brands to bookmark as well as the latest trends to follow. Before this role, Rosie was a Fashion Ecommerce Writer on publications including ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping for nearly two years, and gained a MA from Central Saint Martins in Fashion Journalism in 2021, focussing on the rise (and rise) of fashion podcasting. Rosie has also worked at The Times, been a sub editor at The Mail on Sunday’s weekly YOU magazine and produced in-depth retail reports for the trend forecasting agency WGSN. Her career highlight? Previewing Prada’s AW21 menswear show in the depths of lockdown and interviewing Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons from her bedroom. Outside of work, Rosie can be found rummaging through vintage shops or getting lost in one of London’s iconic department stores. You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosie.davenport
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