Stop With the Ballet Flats, I’m Begging You

Miu Miu, we need to talk. Last fall, one shoe made a luxurious comeback that’s still hanging around: the ballet flat. Break out the no-show socks, Band-Aids, and Neosporin because, apparently, the ballet flat is “the shoe” of the Fall 2023 season. I’m here to unrest that case.  

The ballet flat is just a shoe that is so unbelievably uncomfortable and impractical I hated them even as a child. Get ready for stinky feet and fallen arches because that’s the only thing ballet flats offer. 

What’s made matters worse is they are now a “luxury” commodity. What I used to buy for $10 at the closest supermarket is now sold by luxury designers like Miu Miu. Delicate designs inspired by the actual ballerina shoe are appearing on everyday people walking down city sidewalks. Runways are being taken over by the boxy satin style shoe, adding a confusing aesthetic paired with normal streetwear. 

The ballet flat likely gained popularity due to the emergence of the “balletcore” trend, pulling inspiration and clothing from the art of ballet. Those who participate in “ballet core” often wear sweater wraps, sheer skirts, bows in their hair, and–of course– a ballet flat on their feet. Ballet core is not to be confused with the “coquette” aesthetic, however similar they may seem. I can't speak for every ballerina in the world, but I can imagine the trend of imitating their professional careers is not amusing. In fact, dance was ranked the most physically demanding job just in 2020, with an overall physical demand index of 98/100. The ballet shoe itself is a symbol of the pain and sacrifice dancers must put themselves through in order to perform. Now, they are being fabricated into comfortable, wearable shoes for everyday people. At the end of the day, dance (especially ballet) is not an aesthetic but a lifestyle of sacrifice and hard work. 

Regardless of what the ballerinas might think, you should reconsider your fall footwear simply because the ballet flat has to go. Case closed. 

Strike out, 

Haley Dockendorff

Boca Raton 

Haley Dockendorff is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Loud and proud, this Virgo loves writing just about anything that will cause a bit of commotion. If you can’t find her, she’s probably somewhere on a beach with a camera in hand. You can reach her at haleydockendorff143@gmail.com