When I saw that ballet flats were on the rise, I was excited, but hesitant.
On one hand, I could already envision the sweet shoe adding compelling contrast to my sporty, laid-back outfits, and I was HERE FOR IT.
On the other hand, was I imagining it, or did my feet just start hurting?
If you wore ballet flats in the aughts, you can probably relate. There was the lack of arch support, the smushed toes, the blistered heels. And if you had narrow feet, you might’ve done what I did — I’d wear too-small shoes so they’d stay on my feet. My toes were literally curled inside my shoes, but my 20-year-old self was like, this is great.
LOL. You live and you learn.
So this time around, I vowed I would only don a ballet flat if I could find one that actually fit correctly and felt exquisitely comfortable. NO TOE SMUSHING ALLOWED.
I ordered and returned quite a few pairs of ballet flats before finding these comfortable beauties from J.Crew. Their super classic look gives Chanel vibes without the Chanel price tag and I’m smitten. And guess what? ZERO toe smush! (At least for me. We all have different feet.)
To enhance the comfort even more, I added a thin gel insole and put moleskin all around the opening of the shoes.
Nothing is so sweet as a ballet flat, and it turns out I needed a little sweetness in my wardrobe.
OUTFIT DETAILS
(if you see something you like, you can shop it and support my blog at the same time by using the affiliate links below)
Madewell Broken-In Baseball Cap
Museum of Peace and Quiet Sweatshirt Here & Here (wearing L) | Same sweatshirt, different color & Same color, different design
Abercrombie Shorts (old) | Similar: AGolde Parker Shorts
J.Crew Zoe Leather Ballet Flats | Similar for less: H&M Premium Leather Ballet Flats
Handmade Anklet
Jenny Bird Tome Medium Earrings
James Avery Foxtail Chain Necklace (wearing 18in)
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I’ve tried at least a half dozen ballet flats this season. Maybe I’ll give these a try. True to size? Great post!
Oh, you’re wearing James Avery! They’ve been my favorite jewelry store since my family moved to Texas in the 1970s and I was 18, and I still make purchases, even though I live in far-away Vermont. Thank goodness they sell online now, but I miss the in-store experience — they’re unlike any other jewelry store. And I was a big fan of the J.Crew Cece ballet flat with its hidden soft wedge; it looks like yours have that too! Love the look!
Can you provide links for the gel insoles and moleskin that you put in your ballet flats?
Thanks!