The flats the FJ team have in their wardrobes
IMAGE VIA NICOLE SALDANA
WORDS BY CAIT EMMA BURKE
Comfy and cute.
For a shoe that began its life as speciality footwear for ballerinas, the ballet flat has become a mainstay of women’s fashion. While it’s waxed and waned in popularity over the years (I still cringe thinking about the sparkly leopard print pair I thrashed during the mid-2000s boho era), in recent years it’s cemented itself as the go-to shoe for fashion girlies the world over.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
Finding the right pair can be challenging though. Too flat and you feel like your bare feet are touching the pavement, and too little support will see you slipping and sliding around like nobody’s business. The FJ team is collectively very fond of a ballet flat, so below, we’ve shared the pairs that have pride of place in our wardrobe.
Nicole Saldana’s Black Fabiana Loafers
Worn by: Cait Emma Burke, Fashion Journal‘s Editor
I’d had my eyes on these flats by Nicole Saldana for years so you can imagine my excitement when I spotted a pair in mint condition at Swop last year. Even better was the realisation that I had practically the exact amount of money on my Swop account to pay for them outright. I’ve worn them at least once or twice a week since then, and for a flat, they’re surprisingly comfortable and look just as good with socks and tights as they do alone.
Get them here.
Essen’s The Foundation Flat
View this post on Instagram
Worn by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
The shoe so nice I bought it twice, Essen’s Foundation Flat has everything I had been wanting in a slip-on. I was searching for years after spotting a pair of eyewateringly expensive, red satin ballet slippers from The Row, but nothing had quite hit the mark. Two years ago, I finally settled on this pair from Essen. I wanted something that felt equal parts timeless and current, and I felt this pair struck the perfect balance. It has a slightly squared toe (not too much to date, though) and an upper that covers just the right amount of your foot.
It’s been loved well by fashion girlies, including Kiwi designer Maggie Marilyn who collaborated with Essen designer Marre Muijis to release the shoe in a custom pink colourway in 2023. I was indecisive on colour (there are over 14 options spanning leather and woven uppers), so opted for the tan that I wear with my Levi’s barrel jeans and the black, which I pair with my E Nolan suit pants. They look great with socks or without, and the quality of the leather is amazing. I can’t recommend them highly enough.
Get them here.
LMS’s The Lori
Worn by: Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager
I’m currently injured and can’t wear flats until summer, but because of this, I’ve been hunting for the perfect pair that will last a long time. I’m obsessed with The Lori by LMS to add a little girly touch to any outfit. It would work well in winter with jeans or suit pants and it’s perfect to pair with my staple summer outfit of mid-length sun dresses.
Get them here.
Maison Margiela’s Tabi Leather Ballerina Shoes
View this post on Instagram
Worn by: Izzy Wight, Fashion Journal‘s Assistant Editor
I’m a sucker for a split-toe shoe and since buying my Maison Margiela Black Tabi Ballerina Flats, I’ve barely taken them off my cleft little feet. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea but they are mine, and you truly can’t go wrong with soft, black calfskin leather. The Tabi toe adds interest, but I can still wear them with basically everything in my wardrobe. In winter, my favourite way to style them is with baggy boyfriend jeans, a little handbag and a cropped knit.
Get them here.
Alias Mae’s Yolanda Flats
Worn by: Georgina Woolcock, Fashion Journal’s Campaign and Partnerships Coordinator
Flats aren’t a style I tend to gravitate towards. Being on the shorter side, a taller sneaker or boot is much more appealing. However, that all changed when I first saw the Jacquemus Les Mules Plates Ballet Flats – as an ex-ballet dancer, the square-toe, pointe shoe shape immediately had me in a chokehold.
I scour eBay every day in the hopes I’ll find a secondhand pair with a more justifiable price tag (even on my most impulsive days, $1060 is just too much for a pair of flats). In the meantime, I’ve settled for the lookalike Yolanda flats from Alias Mae.
Get them here.
For more ballet flat suggestions, head here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
