Trendy ballerinas for spring summer 2025. The most beautiful models and how to wear them
Ballet shoes are back as protagonists even in everyday looks: it's officially ballerina-mania . From the catwalks to street style , these iconic shoes conquer for their timeless versatility and for the ability to adapt to infinite combinations and styles, from the most casual to the most sophisticated. A charm that has its roots in the elegance of Audrey Hepburn.
Ballerinas have their roots in the world of classical dance, from which they take their name and shape inspired by the technical footwear worn on stage.
Their transformation into everyday women's shoes dates back to the mid-1900s, when figures such as Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin began wearing them in everyday life, marking a fundamental transition from the stage to the street. The turning point, however, dates back to 1947: Rose Repetto , a dressmaker and shoemaker, created her first model in an atelier near the Paris Opera. From then on, ballerinas became an integral part of urban fashion, maintaining their innate elegance. Over time, several luxury fashion houses have helped define the style of women's ballerinas . Salvatore Ferragamo created models that have remained in history, including the one inspired by Audrey Hepburn and the famous Vara model, launched in 1978 by Fiamma Ferragamo. Chanel also left an indelible mark, with the two-tone ballerinas of the 1950s – the so-called Cambon model – recognizable by the contrasting toe and still a symbol of timeless style today. In recent years, the balletcore trend has brought these shoes back into focus, highlighting the connection between comfort and sophistication. Many brands have proposed new versions that faithfully evoke ballet shoes: ankle ribbons, satin materials and minimalist silhouettes become key elements of an aesthetic that dialogues with contemporaneity, making ballerinas a versatile and always current accessory.
Balletcore and romance: between ribbons, bows and pastel shades
For spring 2025, ballerinas rediscover their roots in classical dance, following the balletcore trend that favours essential lines and details inspired by ballet shoes: rounded toes, front bows, nude and powder pink tones, and especially ankle ribbons. Brands like Miu Miu and Ferragamo interpret this aesthetic with satin models, crisscross straps and retro touches. The palette expands with pastel shades such as powder blue, sage green and cream yellow, for a soft and romantic effect.
Colour is the protagonist in this romantic vision, with nudes and pinks that stand alongside delicate pastels such as powder blue, sage green and creamy yellow , ideal for spring. The ballerinas thus take on a dreamy allure, perfect for ethereal looks. The maison Repetto, symbol of retro elegance linked to ballet, still offers timeless classics such as the Cendrillon and the Sophia , confirming the timeless charm of these dance shoes.
Alongside the romantic revival, there is a line of ballerinas characterised by minimalism and clean lines.
At a time when minimalist elegance is synonymous with sophistication, essential ballet flats become the protagonists of the spring wardrobe. Brands like The Row and Aeyde enhance clean shapes, fine materials and impeccable craftsmanship. Neutral tones – black, beige, leather -, which reinforce the versatility of the models, are accompanied by one-of-a-kind gold accents.
Tod’s also focuses on simplicity with monochrome ballerinas, enriched by the elastic profile and a strap with metal rings. This model is equipped with a rubber sole with embossed rubber studs, perfect for an easy chic look. Lemaire creates a ballerina from two pieces of smooth lambskin nappa sewn together, covering the upper and heel.
Retro charm: when evergreen classics are revisited with a contemporary eye.
A key trend among the 2025 ballerina trends is the return of retro models , reinterpreted with contemporary touches to adapt to current tastes. Among the great classics, the iconic two-tone cap-toe ballerinas by Chanel stand out, a timeless symbol of elegance and versatility. For spring 2025, the fashion house is re-proposing them in lightweight versions, made of tweed and woven raffia , alongside leather models with perfect solutions for the summer season.
Prada also embraces the retro style, blending heritage and modernity. Its rounded-toe ballerinas with strap and triangular logo recall 90s college shoes, but with a sophisticated and urban twist.
Among the spring 2025 ballerina trends, the rise of structured shapes stands out, and in particular, the square toe, the must-have of the season.
This design detail gives ballet flats a bold and contemporary allure, making them the It Shoes of the moment . Big fashion houses like Gucci , which is leading the change with a green suede model with a marked rectangular toe, embellished with the classic golden Horsebit , have firmly embraced this trend, as have Marni and Versace who are focusing on ballet flats with a sculptural structure.
Innovative materials and unusual details: creativity at the feet
In the panorama of spring 2025 ballerinas , new materials and bold experiments are asserting themselves, revolutionising the traditional idea of this shoe. The use of rubber and PVC is surprising, as demonstrated by Bottega Veneta with its woven ballerinas in ivory-colored rubber, equipped with a double strap and metal buckles. A mix between a jelly shoe and a futuristic Mary Jane , a perfect example of industrial design in fashion .
Alongside rubber, mesh flats stand out, lightweight and breathable mesh ballerinas, protagonists of a “see-through” aesthetic that combines freshness and sensuality. Even laser-perforated leather , as in Alaïa ’s proposal, introduces a refined tactile dimension. On the decorative front, the romantic eccentricity of Simone Rocha – who signs shocking pink tulle models with tutu-like ruffles – and the conceptual irreverence of Maison Margiela’s Tabi ballerinas , with split toe and neutral nuances, designed for those who love to stand out with an unconventional elegance, dominate.
Among the spring 2025 ballerina trends, the return of leopard animalier stands out, reinterpreted in a sophisticated way.
Leopard pony skin (or printed fabric) ballerinas are a statement accessory, combining the grace of a bon-ton silhouette with a bold print. They are the ideal choice for those who want to add a touch of wild-chic to their look, without sacrificing elegance. Houses such as Jimmy Choo, Saint Laurent, Loro Piana and Dolce&Gabbna offer refined versions with iconic details – such as black grosgrain bows – demonstrating that animalier, especially in the spotted version, maintains its glamorous and transgressive charm intact.
In 2025, women's ballet flats are establishing themselves as a key accessory, capable of crossing styles and occasions with surprising versatility. How to wear them?
On the spring summer 2025 runways , designers propose them in looks that enhance their stylistic potential: Miu Miu pairs them with maxi sweaters and bare legs for a post-modern effect, Chanel reconfirms them with tweed and pastel miniskirts, while Prada uses them to break up the formality of couture dresses and suits.
Street style 2025 confirms the trend: ballet flats are worn with visible socks , wide-leg jeans , oversized blazers or leggings, as shown by stars like Zoë Kravitz and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley . On social media, the 90s revival is also bringing back the controversial "ballet flats and socks" style, now a symbol of casual coolness. In everyday life, these low shoes adapt to any context: in the office, square leather models are worn with straight trousers and flowing shirts; in free time, you can dare with animalier or mesh combined with denim and a t-shirt; for the evening, black satin or jewel versions take the place of heels, to be shown off with feminine tuxedos or long dresses.
