Ballet flat sneakers become shoe of the summer - would you wear them?

• The ballet flat sneaker looks equal part hyper-feminine and streetwear ready
• Designers like Sandy Liang, Rombaut and Skechers are behind the footwear
• The shoes embrace the balletcore trend, as celebs show off feminine pink bows

Ballet flats are back and more popular than ever – but they’re not the latest craze that’s making a comeback with a trendy twist.

Instead, it’s the ballet flat sneaker that’s going to be taking over all summer long, with the coquette and balletcore trends still going strong.

The ballet flat sneaker is a combination that looks equal part hyper-feminine and streetwear ready.

Designers like Sandy Liang, Rombaut, JW Pei and even Skechers all have funky, chunky footwear creations that are sure to be summer’s hottest trend.

Ballet flats are back and more popular than ever – but they’re not the latest craze that’s making a comeback with a trendy twist

The ballet flat sneaker is a combination that looks equal part hyper-feminine and streetwear ready

Designers like Sandy Liang, Rombaut, JW Pei and even Skechers all have funky, chunky footwear creations that are sure to be summer’s hottest trend

Balletcore has been trending for the last few years, with celebrities wearing feminine pink wrap tops, nude tights, tutus, leg warmers, corsets, ribbons and bows.

Bella Hadid donned legwarmers and Emily Ratajkowski went full Nutcracker in a white tutu, and Gen Z is fawning over classic ballet flats.

But now, instead of the super flat bottom that can lead to foot problems like bunions, according to podiatrists, these balletcore shoes have super chunky comfortable soles.

Dublin-born fashion designer Simone Rocha kicked off the craze in September 2020 with the ballet tracker and has been changing up the materials ever since, and opted for an even more durable sole over time.

Rocha’s creations retail for about $1,000, so women on TikTok have been hunting for more affordable offerings, and documenting their ‘chunky ballet shoe’ search and how they’re styling them.

Creators like Amy Jane Garrity and Catherine Anne Chiang have shared TikTok videos about how to style the sporty sneaks.

Paris-based brand Rombaut is another designer of the flat meets sneaker, calling it their ‘future-forward take on the ballerina shoe’ – and shoppers adore the sweet style, which has sold out on its website repeatedly.

‘It’s giving comfort,’ one commenter wrote in response, and the same certainly can’t be said about regular ballet flats.

TikTok fashion influencers are sharing their styling takes

Content creators are showing off how they choose to style the sneakers

Amy Jane Garrity styled her silver JW PEI ballet sneakers with an off-the-shoulder little black dress

TikTok creator Heidia shared a TikTok in a pair of white ballet sneakers paired with a matching outfit

The Aura vegan sneaker in pink satin is covered in bows and retails for €380, or $412, and it’s still hard to get after launching four years ago.

The brand, led by founder and creative director Mats Rombaut, makes designs in red velvet and covered in silver studs for a little edge that have been described as sexy orthopedic shoes.

Celebrities including Doja Cat, Pink Pantheress, Bella Hadid, Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus are all fans of the sustainable, biodegradable and gender-neutral brand.

Mats told DailyMail.com he created the shoe as a fusion between his love of dance and raving, and said they work for both activewear and streetwear.

‘The reception was very positive from the jump and it quickly became one of our best sellers since we were pioneers in proposing a ballerina upper on a chunky sole,’ Mats said about the style.

The brand has since introduced three different styles, which Mats said have blown up ‘with the current balletcore and coquette trends.’

‘We’ve been doing hybrid sneakers for 10 years and I’ve always been fascinated by mixing my passion and hobbies into sneakers,’ Mats said.

‘So these were next on our list, as I love the world of dance, did ballet and danced competitively as a kid and recently started again.’

Skechers offers its own take for $60, although it’s black instead of ballet pink, and doesn’t have the lug sole

Carrie Bradshaw was the original balletcore icon, donning a tutu and wearing Chanel’s early aughts lace-up ballet pumps

New York City-based it girl designer Sandy Liang has created a ballet sneaker of her own – which makes sense, as her designs already scream coquette.

Sandy created the funky sneaker alongside Salomonology, complete with baby pink ribbons that tie up.

For those who want to spend less than $400 on the summertime trend, JW Pei has its own version of the trend available for $99.

The Flavia ballerina sneaker in pink is more sneaker than flat, but it still offers up the same ballerina aesthetic for a lower price.

Skechers offers its own take for $60, although it’s black instead of ballet pink, and doesn’t have the lug sole the others are popularizing.

Plus, plenty of other more affordable brands make Mary Jane-style sneakers with heftier soles.

Of course, this isn’t the first time fashion fans have embraced ballet style wholeheartedly.

Carrie Bradshaw was the original balletcore icon, donning a tutu and wearing Chanel’s early aughts lace-up ballet pumps.

Luckily, this summer there’s no reason to swap fashion for comfort and don a super high heel or uncomfortable flat – instead, embrace the ballet sneaker.

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