"You gotta love the fashion trend cycle, right? It’s currently 2025, but you wouldn’t necessarily know it based on what’s “in” nowadays. From ’70s-style flared jeans and flowy silhouettes to ’90s-inspired slip skirts and tiny sunglasses, all of the items I’m adding to my online carts lately are reminiscent of the past. And, lucky for me, the latest trend to come back in style is one I was obsessed with during the early 2010s: ballet flats.
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Yes, that’s right, the ballet flat has been having a major resurgence over the past couple of years. And I couldn’t be more thrilled. Ballet flats were my go-to everyday shoe about 10 years ago for many reasons. But mostly because they’re comfortable enough for all-day wear and look chic paired with so many outfits in my wardrobe. From jeans and a T-shirt to classic dresses to business casual work attire, ballet flats are endlessly versatile.
And like any “new” trend, the 2025 version of the ballet flat has been reimagined in a modern way that still looks fresh and exciting. Long gone are the days of bulky metal logos (RIP to my Tory Burch flats), colorful quilted fabrics, and toe cleavage (IYKYK). Instead, today’s updated flats feature squared toe boxes, supple leather in neutral colors, and dainty bows to create a polished look perfect for any occasion.
How I reviewed the best ballet flats
Since ballet flats are a current “it” shoe, I decided to do a deep dive on nine pairs I’ve been seeing everywhere. I chose one pair each from popular footwear brands including Everlane, Target, J.Crew, M.Gemi, Margaux, Madewell, Rothy’s, Quince, and Dolce Vita. Here, I’m sharing my honest reviews of each retailer’s ballet flat. I’m rating them on the following criteria: look, comfort, durability, cost, and the likelihood that I’d purchase them again (or buy a second color).
So, without further ado, keep reading for my reviews of nine popular ballet flats. They range in price from a budget-friendly $20 option to a $250 investment pair—and a bunch in between!
Quince Italian Leather Bow Ballet Flats
My Overall Rating: 5/5
Pros: Price and comfort
Cons: Limited colors
Is there a brand that has more quickly entered the cultural zeitgeist than Quince has over the last few years?! I, personally, went from never hearing of this site to wanting to buy everything they make. From their viral $50 cashmere sweaters (yes, seriously) to travel essentials and even baby and kids clothes, Quince truly has everything. And, they sell it all at budget-friendly prices that repeatedly make me hit *add to cart*.
“At under $70, these flats are a no-brainer add to anyone’s closet and hit high marks for look, comfort, durability, cost, and the likelihood that I’d purchase them again.”
I was so excited to try the Quince Italian leather bow ballet flats for several reasons. First, I loved the shoe’s simple and elegant design, classic colorways, and oversized bow. They really rivaled the look of way more expensive flats at a fraction of the price. Secondly, I’ve heard Quince’s shoes are really comfortable. And I’m here to tell you these shoes did not disappoint in that regard. The leather exterior is so soft and the inside is even better.
These flats had the most cushy insole of any of the flats I tried on this list. This makes them insanely (and I don’t use that word lightly here) comfortable upon first wear. At under $70, these flats are a no-brainer add to anyone’s closet. They hit high marks for look, comfort, durability, cost, and the likelihood that I’d purchase them again. Overall, these were by far the best ballet flats of the nine I tried!
Material: Italian Leather
Available Colors: Cognac, Black & Almond
Sizes: Women’s 5 – 10
Price: $69.90
Madewell The Greta Ballet Flats
My Overall Rating: 5/5
Pros: Comfort, price, and lots of color options
Cons: Pricey (but worth it!)
If you’ve yet to try out of a pair of Madewell shoes, I’m here to tell you that you’re seriously missing out. As someone who immensely values the right-out-of-the-box comfort of a new pair of shoes (who has time to break-in shoes and get blisters?!), Madewell’s soft leather flats certainly hit this mark. I’ve owned a studded pair of the Greta ballet flats for a while now. They were so comfortable for all-day wear the first time I slipped my feet in them and have only gotten better over time.
“I’ve owned a studded pair of the Greta ballet flats for a while now and they were so comfortable for all-day wear the first time I slipped my feet in them and have only gotten better over time.”
This shoe comes in lots of colors and styles, making them such a versatile add to your wardrobe for every season. Besides the $20 Target flats that I own in two colors, this is the only other pair on this list that I’ve considered buying in multiple hues—they’re seriously that good. I also love the Greta’s stretchy Mary Jane-style strap. It not only adds visual interest to the shoe, but additionally keeps my foot nice and secure (no slipping out!) while I wear them.
Material: Leather (Also available in mesh and woven styles)
Available Colors: True Black, Chocolate Raisin, Soft Mahogany, Pale Blush, Ruby Port & Safari Khaki
Sizes: Women’s 5 – 12
Price: $148
Rothy’s The Double Buckle Mary Janes
My Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Pros: Super soft material, machine-washable, and sustainable
Cons: Price
Before taking on this writing assignment, I’d never tried a pair of the much-talked about Rothy’s so I was super excited to get my hands on a pair. If you’re familiar with the brand, I’m sure you’ve heard people rave about the super comfy material their shoes are made out of—and they’re right. These shoes are like nothing I’ve ever tried before because they feel like wearing socks or water shoes (remember those?). The brand’s signature thread is spun from recycled plastic bottles, making these knit flats incredibly sustainable and comfortable. How cool is that?!
“This double buckle Mary Jane-style was so cute on and the shoes come in several versatile-yet-neutral colors. I really can’t express how soft and cushy these flats were inside and out.”
This double buckle Mary Jane-style was so cute on and the shoes come in several versatile-yet-neutral colors. I really can’t express how soft and cushy these flats were inside and out. They even featured an extra silky-smooth lining in the heel interior, ensuring you won’t get blisters. And have I mentioned that these shoes are entirely machine washable?! My only real complaint of these shoes is the price. I really loved them, but their $165 price tag made me take pause. But when you factor in the brand’s sustainable materials and practices and the shoe’s long-lasting comfort and quality (especially since you can throw them in the washer), the higher price does seem justified.
Material: Knit from Rothy’s signature thread, which is spun from plastic bottles
Available Colors: Ballerina, Black, Cabernet, Java Chip & Sky
Sizes: Women’s 5 – 13
Price: $165
Everlane The Day Ballet Flats
My Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Pros: Comfort and modern style
Cons: Pricey (but worth it!)
When I first tried on these ballet flats during a workday at The Everymom’s Chicago office, my initial (and uncensored) reaction was blurting out, “These shoes are so weird.” At first, I didn’t really love the look of these flats on my feet. I thought they looked oddly like something one of Santa’s elves would wear. But what I couldn’t ignore is how insanely comfortable these ballet flats are. They truly feel like slipping your feet into plush leather socks.
“Their comfort remained a 5/5 (no break-in time needed) and they felt really well made, which was important to me given their $148 price point.”
Admittedly, these shoes majorly grew on me as I continued to wear them. Their comfort remained a 5/5 (no break-in time needed). And they felt really well made, which was important to me given their $148 price point. Though I was at first unsure about the elongated style of the shoe’s soft, square toe, I later came to appreciate them. I love how contemporary and sophisticated they looked compared to the ballet flats I wore 10 years ago.
Perhaps the best part of testing out these ballet flats was that I received tons of compliments from my coworkers while wearing them. One of The Everymom team members even asked if I’d bought them in Europe. She said they were “so chic” and said she wanted to order a pair for herself, too. They received high markings for their modern style, unbeatable comfort (buttery soft leather + a cushioned insole = a dream), and mid-range cost. Truly, the only negative thing about them is that I now want a pair in every color!
Material: Leather with a Rubber Outsole
Available Colors: Black, Toasted Almond, Blush Tan & Canvas
Sizes: Women’s 5 – 11
Price: $148
J.Crew Andi Ballet Flats
My Overall Rating: 4/5
Pros: Price and quality
Cons: Not as comfortable as others; limited color options
Let me start this review by saying J.Crew is one of my all-time favorite retailers. And some of the most-worn investment items in my wardrobe are from this brand. But, sadly, I have never really found my footing (no pun intended) with J.Crew’s shoes. I’ve bought many pairs to try in the past—from loafers and flats to wedges and sandals—and they’ve all missed the mark for me due to lack of comfort.
However, of all the J.Crew shoes I’ve tried in my day, their Andi ballet flats definitely have the potential for staying power in my closet (thank goodness). My biggest complaint of J.Crew’s shoes in the past is that they were often made of super stiff material that resulted in lots of blisters and annoyingly-long break-in times. But, much to my surprise, these flats are made of a softer leather that helps make these more comfortable straight out of the box. Since I haven’t had a chance to wear them for a full day yet, I’m still slightly wary of their overall comfort, though.
“At $128, these shoes are beautifully constructed and definitely feel like a quality flat that will last without breaking the bank. A major win-win in my book!”
I also loved the Andi’s classic ballet flat design with the twist of a slightly elongated toe box to give them a more modern look. They come in three neutral colors (black, white gold, and caramel frappe) which would look fab with any outfit, plus a fun red for a more bold statement. I loved how the red looked with my jeans and white button-down outfit. At $128, these shoes are beautifully constructed and definitely feel like a quality flat that will last without breaking the bank. A major win-win in my book!
Material: Leather with a Rubber Outsole
Available Colors: Red Arroyo, Caramel Frappe, White Gold & Black
Sizes: Women’s 5 – 12
Price: $128
Target Jackie Ballet Flats
My Overall Rating: 4/5
Pros: Price
Cons: Durability and only available in one color
A little fact about me? I looove Target’s shoes—and their Jackie ballet flats were no exception. This pair looked just like my beloved ballet flats of yesteryear. But, they included the updated square toe, which was really flattering on my feet. Despite their toe box being shorter than the Everlane pair, they were still long enough to not show any dreaded toe cleavage, which I appreciated. They fit my wide-ish feet pretty well. However, they did gap a bit too much on the sides for my liking while walking. And they were comfortable for all-day wear from the start.
“If you’re unsure if ballet flats deserve a more permanent place in your wardrobe, this budget-friendly pair would be a great way to test out the style.”
Because these ballet flats are only $20, I actually bought them in two colors (beige and black) and loved both. However, their price point also brings some cons, mostly due to the fact that they aren’t made of quality materials. I’m confident these flats would look great for a few months of regular wear and then be too worn out. If you’re unsure if ballet flats deserve a more permanent place in your wardrobe, this budget-friendly pair would be a great way to test out the style. And since they’re so inexpensive, you can buy them in multiple colors or have a replacement pair on-hand. Just snag them before they’re sold out for the season!
Material: 100% Polyurethane
Available Colors: Black
Sizes: Women’s 6 – 12
Price: $19.99
M.Gemi Danza Ballet Flats
My Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Pros: Super well-made; includes a hidden wedge
Cons: Price ($$$)
If you’ve made it this far in this article, I hope you’re sensing that I take my self-designed rating system very seriously. With that in mind, this pair of M.Gemi ballet flats was easily a 5/5 in my book. Except their hefty cost ultimately bumped them down a few notches in my ranking. At $248, these are the most expensive ballet flats on this list. But they’re well worth the price if your budget allows.
“These shoes include a subtle wedge within the insole heel to provide a discreet lift and increased support—it truly added a little something special while wearing them.”
For starters, these shoes are gorgeous on. I was obsessed with the Danza’s soft tumbled calf leather exterior, square toe, grosgrain ribbon binding, and thick leather bow. They were truly so pretty on my feet and had everything I wanted in a modern ballet flat. And perhaps one of their best features is one you can’t even see: a hidden wedge. These shoes include a subtle, 20mm wedge within the insole heel to provide a discreet lift and increased support. It truly added a little something special while wearing them.
All in all, these ballet flats were classic, feminine, and really comfortable—the only downside was their elevated price. However, these shoes are handcrafted in a father-son owned and operated workshop in Italy and the craftsmanship really shows. So, if you’re in the market for an investment pair of ballet flats, don’t hesitate to click *add to cart* on this pair.
Material: Italian Tumbled Calf Leather
Available Colors: Black, Tan, Black Naplak, Antique Rose & Sunset Red Naplak
Sizes: Women’s 35 (U.S. 5) – 43 (U.S. 12)
Price: $248
Margaux Demi Ballet Flats
My Overall Rating: 3/5
Pros: Available in tons of colors and sizes
Cons: Price ($$$) and shorter toe box
These ballet flats earned a solid 3 in my ranking, which, I’ll admit, is maybe a tad unfair. This pair is downright lovely, beautifully constructed, and comfortable. But they were just a little boring and more reminiscent of ballet flat-styles from the early 2010s. Since they’re not quite as contemporary-looking and higher priced at $250, they just didn’t excite me quite like other pairs did.
“This pair is downright lovely, beautifully constructed, and comfortable… but they were just a little boring and more reminiscent of ballet flat-styles from the early 2010s.”
The Demi’s product description refers to the shoes as “French-girl chic” and they’re exactly that. They come in a ton of colors, patterns, and sizes (the most variety of the nine I tried). They are soft inside and out, and really well made. The only negatives were their shorter and more rounded toe box (they showed a teeny amount of toe cleavage) and price tag. But if you’re looking for a less-trendy ballet flat that will become a staple in your wardrobe for years to come, this option would make a great purchase.
Material: Italian Leather (Also available in a woven design)
Available Colors: Denim Suede, Black, Butter, Ballet Pink, Saddle, Dune and Black, Silver, Scarlett, Black and Navy & Espresso
Sizes: Women’s 33.5 (U.S. 3.5) – 45 (U.S. 14) with Three Widths Available
Price: $250
My Overall Rating: 3/5
Pros: Price, modern design, lots of colors/styles
Cons: Overall look; crinkle patent material
Let me start by saying there really isn’t anything bad or unsightly about these flats. I just don’t think they were my style. First, I was super excited about trying the chic Creme color and thought the shoe’s square-toe design was really pretty. When I tried them on, my initial reaction was, “Oh, I look like a ’90s businesswoman in these.” Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not. But did I feel like I needed to wear them with a pencil skirt and a pair of white tights to match? Yes, and that just wasn’t really the vibe I was going for. I also wasn’t loving the shoe’s crinkle, shiny patent leather material. I did like that it was unique, but I prefer a more classic leather look for the flats I’m adding to my closet.
Overall, these flats were pretty comfortable and seemed well-made, which was great for the $120 price tag. I think if I got them in another color (or maybe even one of the different materials like suede, calf hair, or woven) I would have liked them a lot more. The TLDR is: I liked them, but I didn’t love them, so they get a mediocre 3/5 rating from me.
Material: Patent Leather (Also available in suede, calf hair, and woven styles)
Available Colors: Black, Copper, Cranberry, Creme, Leopard, Gold, Red & Silver
Sizes: Women’s 5 – 15
Price: $120
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With more than 10 years of editorial experience, Julia is passionate about bringing motherhood stories to life and providing moms with interesting and informative parenting content. Prior to joining The Everygirl Media Group in 2019, she served as Executive Editor at Closer Weekly. As The Everymom’s Senior Managing Editor, Julia helps manage the brand’s editorial calendar and content strategy.
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