How to Style the Best Ballet Flats for Fall, According to an Expert

It’s time to dust off your dancing shoes, because—believe it or not—this season is all about the ballet flat. The seemingly simple shoe has been on hiatus in recent years, but it’s officially returned as one of fall’s top shoe trends (although if you’re Kate Moss, you already know that it never really left). To help ease your hesitancies and navigate the ballet flat comeback, we’ve turned to professional stylist Desiree Guery to give you an insider’s assessment on what to look for and how to elevate this timeless shoe for 2022.

With designers reimagining the classic ballet flat in versions of leather, shearling, knit, and beyond, there’s no cap on ingenuity when it comes to styling this season’s picks. But this isn’t a trend that calls for you to compromise on comfort, either. “Why wear flats if they’re not comfortable and cute?” Guery asks. “There are so many ways to show off your personality with shoes, and ballet flats are a great way to do that…finding a pair that you can wear with jeans, pants, dresses, and skirts that look chic but are also comfortable is key.”

For most of us, we haven’t relied on the practicality of the ballet flat since the days when The O.C.’s Marissa Cooper gave us every pointed flat and then some. And considering we’ll no longer be styling them à la 2003, how can we give them a fresh take in 2022? “I’m really digging socks and tights with flats,” Guery offers. “I also really love to pair these with a slim pant and something a little more unexpected,” she says. Dip into a European aesthetic and swap your straight-fit jeans for ankle-length trousers or silk pants. Add a chunky sweater or oversized button-down for a smooth, effortless look that could only be inspired by a few days spent abroad.

Another new trend for fall flats? Pastels. While most of us associate pastels with spring and summer seasons, they’re making up the perfect transitional fall color palette this year. Not only is it a nice change of pace, but a soft green or purple hue can add a pop of color to any outfit. “Satins, velvets, and metallics are also big…giving ballet flats a modern twist on a classic style,” Guery adds. Below, we’ve rounded up every type of flat you could possibly hope for—from an Amazon bestseller to a next-gen designer slipper. Shop our all-encompassing list of the best ballet flats to fall for.