The Evolution of the Ballet Flat
L'OFFICIEL looks back at how the footwear staple has developed throughout history.
Throughout recent years, ballet flats have become a footwear staple, appearing on it-girls from Karlie Kloss to Taylor Swift. But, unlike other iconic shoe designs, the classic shoe did not make its debut on the runway or in stores, instead, the flat originated on stage. Since making its way into fashion, the ballet flat has secured its place as a must-have shoe and has had many styles, variations, and functions. Below, L'OFFICIEL looks back at the iconic flat and the ways it evolved throughout time.
Early History
For almost seven decades, ballet was strictly performed in heels. It wasn't until the 1700s that French dancer Marie Camargo became the first ballerina to wear flat shoes during her performance. As the shoes allowed for more intricate footwork, other ballerinas began to don the footwear as well.
The ballet slipper reached new heights when Salvatore Capezio opened a store across from the Metropolitan Opera House. Capezio had spent many years repairing ballet shoes and decided to make adjustments to the shoes so they required less upkeep. The shoes quickly got in, cementing Capezio as a ballet icon.
From the Stage to the Store
It was Capezio who allowed ballet flats to make the leap from dance to fashion. In the 1900s, designer Claire McCardell became fascinated with the shoes and commissioned Capezio to create an off-stage version. The shoes appeared in her collection and gained mass popularity.
Ballet flats were further developed into a footwear staple thanks to Italian designer Rose Repetto. Repetto's son was a renowned dancer and she would hand-make ballet flats for him to wear during his performances. Brigette Bardot went on to ask Repetto to make a version of the shoe for her to wear in her film And God Created Woman. The film went on to be a hit, turning Bardot into a fashion icon and further popularizing the shoes.
Ballet flats would go on to appear on many It girls in the 1950s and '60s. Audrey Hepburn wore flats in her movie Funny Face and Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana both went on to sport the shoes.
A Return to Fashion
After falling out of favor with fashion's It girls, the ballet flat began to die out until reaching a resurgence in the 2010s. During this era, workwear and business casual clothing began to dominate fashion. Celebrities were spotted in oversized blazers, tights, skinny jeans, and once again, ballet flats.
Ballet Flats Today
In 2022, some of our favorite trends from past years have been making a return. Whether they're taking inspiration from the early '70s or leaning into Y2K fashion, social media cannot get enough of nostalgia. So, it's no surprise that ballet flats have been making their way back onto our Instagram feeds—this time with a fresh twist.
Ballet flats made their runway return with Miu Miu's Fall/Winter 2022 collection where models wore delicate flats paired with leg warmers. Since then, balletcore, an aesthetic centered around dance attire appeared on TikTok and quickly took off. The ballet flat also expanded in styles, coming in variations from platforms to split toes. Ballet flats are functional, versatile, and stylish, and we are sure to be seeing much more of them for years to come.
