Please Don’t Bring Back Ballet Flats
Are you familiar with Matilda Djerf? Whether it’s on Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest, Matilda Djerf has gained widespread popularity. With her effortlessly cool Scandi style, this Swedish influencer is currently captivating the hearts of many on social media. Lately, she has been seen rocking her classic casual cool look with vibrant red vintage ballet flats. Yes, you read that right—ballet flats.
What was once a hot trend in the mid-2000s, embraced by icons like Amy Winehouse, Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton, has made a comeback in 2022. Ballerinas are back in vogue, capturing the attention of fashion enthusiasts worldwide. From media outlets to various fashion influencers and Matilda Djerf’s devoted followers, the excitement is palpable.
Fashion magazines are extolling the virtues of this revived shoe trend, showcasing numerous styling options. Headlines such as “Why We Love the Return of the Ballerina Trend” and “The Practical, Comfortable, and Glamorous Appeal of Ballerinas” adorn articles, highlighting the widespread interest. It seems like everyone is on the hunt for these shoes, originally inspired by the graceful toes of ballerinas, whose rounded silhouette held us captive throughout the 2000s.
In the past, ballet flats were not only a reflection of the indie sleaze trend but also a regular sight on runways in New York, thanks to the city’s signature sportier style. In the December 2004 issue of Vogue, Sarah Mower chronicled the shift towards thin soles in her article “The Case for Flats,” accompanied by a photo of a model clutching a metallic purple ballet shoe. She noted that Alber Elbaz at Lanvin sent models down the runway wearing evening dresses paired with ballet slippers, emphasizing the clean, youthful, and modern effect that highlighted the appeal of not trying too hard to be sexy and dressed up. During that era, these shoes were a staple among the it-girls of their time.
The British strain of indie sleaze was championed by ladies who sported these dainty footwear choices in settings enveloped in cigarette smoke and sticky with spilled alcohol. Kate Moss became virtually synonymous with ballet flats, while fashion maven Alexa Chung, who was dating Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys at the time, regularly flaunted them as well. London transplant Sienna Miller would confidently step out in a denim mini skirt and a barely-there tank top, always grounded by her trusty flats.
Even the reigning it-girl of our time, Bella Hadid, has been spotted embracing this shoe trend.
Undoubtedly, the rise of balletcore in fashion has played a significant role in the renewed popularity of ballet flats. We can’t help but blame Simone Rocha and Miu Miu for this resurgence. Miuccia Prada has embarked on a mission to revive the most controversial trends of the 2000s. First, it was the micro minis, and now it’s the ballet flats. It’s only a matter of time before we all start donning low-cut skirts, cropped tank tops, chunky belts, and a pair of ballet flats again.
Sure, these shoes may exude style and be on-trend, perhaps even a touch avant-garde if you’re Bella Hadid. However, when considering the fact that this appeal doesn’t extend to the majority of people, it becomes evident that this trend is far from accessible.
The Western fashion world offers an abundance of shoe options, so why do they have to be the ones that transform women’s feet into duck-like appendages? Ballerinas are simply not everyone’s cup of tea, even though Salvatore Capezio designed the elastic leather breath at the end of the 19th century as a slip-on shoe model for women, achieving great success. Granted, they are forgivable for members of the State Ballet and even very young girls who take ballet lessons and require smooth soles on the dance floor.
But on the street scene? Few fashion choices have been as unkind as ballet flats.
