From Studio to Street: The Resurgence of Ballet Trainers
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Fashion has a habit of pirouetting through trends, but some styles make a particularly graceful return. Ballet shoes and ballet-inspired trainers have been relatively untapped until now, and they’re not just for dancers anymore. From high fashion circles to the street, this delicate yet practical footwear trend is weaving its way into streetwear with surprising influence.
These elegant hybrids are captivating a wide audience, but we’re all asking the same question: is it a trainer or is it a ballet flat? Well, it’s both, and the options are boundless. Some styles echo the athletic silhouette of a classic sneaker, sitting atop a deliberately flat profile. Others abandon the conventional lace construction altogether, embracing refined alternatives such as Mary Jane straps. It’s this playful fusion of form and function that feels perfectly poised to define our SS25 rotations.
Where did the ballet trend originate?
The resurgence of ballet footwear rewinds to the early 2000s, associated with “it-girls” of the indie era. Now, two decades later, a new generation is reinventing the look thanks to the rise of the balletcore aesthetic. Sparked initially by runway debuts, balletcore romanticised the soft, ethereal world of dance: think sweaters, pastel fabrics and, of course, the iconic ballet flat. Designers like Simone Rocha, Sandy Liang and Miu Miu quickly picked up on the mood, infusing their collections with nods to the discipline’s grace and quiet power, making today’s version of a ballet trainer less twee and more refined.
So, why the resurgence?
A couple of cultural shifts explain why ballet footwear is capturing attention once again. Firstly, there’s the broader movement toward quiet luxury – a trend of minimalist, high-quality pieces prioritising craftsmanship over logos and labels. Ballet trainers fit neatly into this ethos: understated, functional, and effortlessly chic.
Secondly, as streetwear and sports luxe continue to dominate, ballet trainers – known for their lightweight flexibility – bridge the gap between functionality and femininity. They strike a perfect balance between style and practicality for those who refuse to compromise on either. Beyond their design, ballet trainers carry cultural significance by merging athletic and artistic influences. Their rise in popularity, even among global artists, highlights the emotional power of ballet aesthetics. These collaborations matter: they show ballet footwear crossing genres, from performance wear to cultural artefact, from luxury art piece to streetwear essential.
Thirdly, the comfort is on pointe.
How to style ballet flats and trainers?
Once a niche item reserved for the studio, ballet trainers today are finding fans across a wide audience. No longer limited to dancers gliding across polished floors, this season ballet flats move effortlessly between moods – worn with slouchy denim for insouciant cool, with ethereal layers of tulle and delicate jewellery for balletcore dreaminess, or with precise tailoring for quiet sophistication.
Find low-profile footwear for your rotation at size? now.
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