Loved by many women, a little less by men, the pointed ballet flats they are one of the shoes that arouses the most extreme judgments: either they like them to death or they just don’t go down. There are those who would wear them every day and those who cannot stand them.
A comfortable shoe, originally from the world of dance and that divides, but despite this the ballerina is an evergreen female shoe model that over the years has been able to establish itself as an elegant and extremely practical accessory.
Pointed ballerinas: origins and history
The name itself explains the origin of this iconic pair of shoes: the birth of dancers dates back to around 1700, when it was worn by the dancers of the time. The original model was very different from the one we know today, because it enveloped the foot and limited it in its movements; it also had a heel, which gradually got lost in the following models.
The dancer, in fact, has evolved hand in hand with the evolution of dance itself, allowing ever wider and freer movements for the artists who wore them on the stages of theaters during public performances, in the rehearsal rooms and behind the scenes before entering the scene.
This happened until its introduction into the commercial market thanks to Jacob Bloch, a Russian designer who in the early 1930s began to make them on commission, responding to the demands of the moment.
After him we remember Rose Repetto, owner of the Italian dance shoe company: to satisfy the wishes of her choreographer son, she created an even more flexible model in order to facilitate the artistic expression of the dancers. Thanks to Repetto, they were built in 1947 the prima ballerinas that come close to those we still wear outside the world of dance.
To consecrate the pointed ballet flats as an indispensable fashion accessory were some icons of cinema: first of all it was Brigitte Bardot (for which Repetto created a pair of customized ballet flats) and then Audrey Hepburn, who wearing the model proposed by Salvatore Ferragamo in 1958 became the symbol of global elegance.
Pointed ballet flats: types and models
Today there are numerous variations of pointed ballet flats: basically, however, the model remains low without heel and the variants on the market offer different fabrics, patterns and closures (with or without buckles and laces).
You can find one for every occasion, from the most precious to the simplest and most casual models:
CASTAMERE Pointed toe Ballet Flats in Patent Leather
Pointed toe patent leather ballet flats with leather lining, small 1 cm heel. Classic design. Available in different colors and patterns.
45 € on Amazon
Versus
- The absence of a heel may make it necessary to use an insole
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Jamron Velvet pointed ballet flats with ankle closure
Elegant pointed toe ballet flats with velvet upper, leather lining and PU insole. The model has an ankle strap and a 1.5 cm flat heel. It can be combined with jeans, skinny pants, shorts, dresses and skirts.
23 € on Amazon
Tamaris Pointed toe ballet flats with side closure
Pointed toe ballet flats with side closure. The design is semi open on the sides.
€ 30 on Amazon
Versus
- Pay attention to the side closure that could be annoying
How to combine pointed ballet flats?
Pointed toe ballet flats can be the right shoes to finalize different types of outfits.
To get a refined and elegant look, you can take inspiration from Jacqueline Kennedy who wore them with elegant jacket and skirt suits. For a more contemporary look you can be inspired by Meghan Markle, who loves flat shoes for her more casual looks, consisting of skinny jeans and a white shirt, or with knee-length dresses.
Or again, you can wear the pointed ballet flats for a perfect fit sailor look and a little “French”, opting for navy blue shorts or cigarette pants, striped t-shirts and a scarf tied around the neck.
Pointed ballerinas on the 2021 catwalks
To choose your pointed ballet flats, you can also take a cue from the fashion houses that presented the new collections for spring / summer 2021 on the catwalk. Zara, which has always boasted a large collection of shoes and ballet flats, to satisfy all tastes and styles. And it is no less Chanel which re-proposes some of its classic models that are always in fashion:
From the most iconic ones to the most modern reinterpretations, the pointed ballet flats have become a must have of the perfect bon ton wardrobe and are the protagonists of spring / summer 2021. Also Bottega Veneta proposes hers for next season, combined with jeans and casual looks:
The models are many and if you want to opt for the purchase, you are spoiled for choice.
