A Perfect Shopper’s Guide to Ballet Flats
Let me help you find the most comfortable, beautiful ballet flats.
I am a perfect shopper, but not in the sense that everything I buy is perfect. I am constantly on the hunt for a perfect thing, even if I have no intention of actually buying it. It started in high school and has gotten progressively worse as my sense of fashion has solidified and my bank account has allowed. Gone are the days of buying outfits last minute for an event. I am building my wardrobe very meticulously. As I have written before, shoes are my weakness. Most recently, I was on the hunt for the perfect pair of ballet flats. Supple leather. Wide toe box. Flat. No tabi, I want to be able to wear them to a conservative office before hitting the wine bar for happy hour. I wanted to be able to walk one million miles, top to bottom in Manhattan, in them without a single blister. The hardest part was finding a toe box that was wide enough that didn’t feel like my feet were being suffocated, but narrow enough that I didn’t look like I had flippers.
I found the most perfect pair from Massimo Dutti for under $200. I have been informed by PIGPEN, a fellow perfect shopper, that they have a heeled version as well at about 3cm high. My shoe closet is telling me no, but my heart is saying yes.
Things I like about my Massimo Dutti ballet flats
Incredibly soft and malleable goatskin leather, which provides not only comfort but ease of travel if they are stuffed in my bag.
No large bow, strap, or any defining feature other than a small knot. I’m hoping this will help them withstand the test of time.
Rubber sole, so I could wear them out of the box and not have to make my way to the cobbler to add anything too industrial to the bottom. If shoes are leather-bottomed and low profile, I find that reinforcing the sole sometimes changes the shape of the shoe a little bit. Just enough that I notice.
Room for a heel pad insert. I mostly get blisters on my heels and like to add a plush pad to the backs of my shoes, where they would rub the most. These shoes curved in such a way to hug the heel that the pad didn’t stick out or change the way my foot fit in the flats.
Potential to be revived if needed. Remember when I said they were soft goat leather? I expect to give them a bit of TLC after a summer of wear. They seem high quality enough where it will be worth it and they won’t disintegrate, like some of my older vintage shoes have done in the past. Damn dry rot.
Although those shoes did the job for me, I am happy to report my findings for research purposes. Just because they didn’t work for me doesn’t mean they wouldn’t work for you.
Tony Bianco Martinez Leather Flats: I liked the look of The Row leather Mary Jane flats, but am unwilling to spend over $800 on a pair of shoes that aren’t able to either do my taxes or predict the future. After a quick search, I found Tony Bianco. The brand has been on my radar for their heels already, and I gave them a shot. I used the sizing chart, they ran big so I ordered a whole size down, and even after they came in I felt like something was off. They were, in fact, the kind of shoe that gave me the aforementioned flipper feet. Too wide, too slipper-like. They didn’t look as slimming as I wanted them to and there was too much room. Although they were extremely comfortable, and would have probably worked well with socks, I think the wide, flat shoe emphasizes my height, or lack thereof, so these made their way back to the post office to be returned. I will say I also went in store to their pop-up in Soho to try on other pairs of ballet flats, as the leather was amazingly soft, and had not only the worst service known to man but the lack of inventory was astonishing. I am a seven. How are there no sevens? That’s incredible.
Camper Ballerinas Right: I tried these on in person in Williamsburg at one of my favorite stores called Shoe Market. Their Mary Janes were very cute and came in the most beautiful colors; periwinkle was my favorite. They were soft, but too narrow in the toe box for me. The sole of these was the best I tried in terms of sturdiness, they were almost sporty, and the strap was far thicker than the normal Mary Jane. If you are looking for something a bit more casual, these would be a great option.
Madewell Greta Ballet Flat: I tried these on in store. These are a cult favorite by women on the internet and I could see myself getting them in the future, but honestly, after trying on so many Mary Janes, I came to realize that they just weren’t what I was looking for. What I liked about these is they came in so many different styles. What I didn’t love is how they wore on some people over time. During my research I found the toe squinched up in a way that looked like you kicked a door. I don’t mind worn shoes, but I don’t like the squinched look.
Dolce Vita Ritla Leather Ballet Flats: Due to the toe box thing, I got these in a wide. Big mistake. Huge mistake. They were massive on me and, reading the reviews, everyone else felt the same. If they did fit, I believe they would have been more of a contender. The normal width was too narrow and the wide was too large in every way possible. It was a Goldilocks issue for these at the end of the day.
Going on to the flats I already own and why they aren’t the perfect pair. I will link similar options to what I have.
Red suede Aerosoles flats: comfortable, but the toe box is too narrow so I can’t walk long distances. I also don’t love that the sole is tan and a little thick for such a dainty shoe. These are cute for work, and I love wearing them with navy pants and skirts, but the comfort is just not there. The suede is also a bit warm for summer and the shade of red is very bright.
Jeffrey Campbell faux patent leather flats: These have done the job before but I didn’t want patent leather for my perfect flats. These also cut and give me blisters and have a limited shelf life due to their material. Overall, not super happy with these. I wear them in the winter with socks. Now that I write this, I’m considering gifting these away. If you are a size seven and live in New York, I’m more than happy to give these a home where they would be more appreciated.
Gucci smoking slippers: Very wintery in look, the bottom is leather, narrow in the toe box, and very formal to me. Also, they have logos on them, although faint. Similarly to the red suede Aerosoles flats, they are not the best in summer. They look fabulous though and I love wearing them to dinner.
Rothy’s Mary Janes: I am embarrassed I own these, I hate the material, I don’t think they look good, but I can’t lie. They are so comfortable. I wear these with gym shorts in the summer mostly and would never wear them to work.
Honorable mention: Red Repetto Camille ballet flats with a small heel. Now, these aren’t necessarily flat so I’m hesitant to add them here, but I wanted to warn anyone who has been eyeing these. I am someone that will wear shoes that are a little uncomfortable for short periods of time occasionally. I get it. Sometimes the outfit needs it. But these… these are pain. They pinch everywhere, they run small, they don’t stretch, and you have toe cleavage. The term toe cleavage came to my attention when my dad, who never mentions clothing on other people ever even if that means they wore a banana hammock to church, told us there was someone working in a warehouse that he saw with far too much toe cleavage and he believed it was a safety hazard. Maybe when I’m in Paris I will try some non-patent leather Repetto’s on and report back, but I am not feeling confident.
Ballet flats I did not try, but you should and let me know if you like them.
Margaux Demi Flats: Lots of reviews on these but I just didn’t think they would be very comfortable for long walks.
Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flat: I have been eyeing these a while, I love the woven material.
Everlane Day Mary Jane: I saw these in store after I bought my perfect flats and they were incredibly soft and so beautiful.
Alohas Rosalind Ballet Flats: Funky option! Great wide toebox.
Heaven Well Within Soft Leather Ballet Flats: These look so comfortable, I almost ordered these but got return-fatigue.
Now that I am done with my search for the perfect ballet flats, I am on to the perfect sweater. Lightweight, maybe a bit sheer, with a tight and relatively thick waistband so I can fold it up and everyone can see how great my belts are. I want it to be comprised of mostly, if not all, natural fibers (although wool I have issues with occasionally, the only type not bothering me being cashmere), and I want it to be black and a neutral tan (both), but I could be persuaded to buy grey if it is perfect. I don’t want wide arms, I want them to be fitted. I am stubby in the arms so even if the sleeves are three-quarter length that is ok. I don’t want the waistband to go up to my chest and I don’t want the cardigan to be a funky shape. I want it to look like the perfect, almost shrunken cardigan with a bit of room to move around in. If I ever find this perfect cardigan, you will be the first to know.