Are Men Really Ready for Ballet Flats?

From heavy soles to lighter steps

For decades, men’s footwear has leaned toward the heavy and the durable. Boots with thick soles, sneakers built like small machines, and polished loafers have long dominated the landscape.

But recently, a different silhouette has begun appearing with increasing frequency on runways, red carpets, and even airport terminals. Ballet flats, once firmly associated with womenswear, are finding a place in modern menswear.

The shift did not happen overnight. Designers began experimenting with the idea several years ago. During the SS20 menswear shows, labels such as Bode and Dries Van Noten introduced ballet-inspired flats for men.

The shoes were noticeably minimal compared to the bulky footwear that had defined the late 2010s. At the time, the concept felt niche, something likely to remain within fashion circles. But in the years since, the style has gradually gained traction.

Pushing the trend forward

Part of that visibility comes from a growing list of high-profile wearers. A$AP Rocky has been spotted wearing ballet flats casually. Harry Styles has also helped push the silhouette further into the spotlight.

In his Aperture music video, the singer appeared in a pair of Prada shoes, later wearing ballet flats again at the 2026 Grammys by Jonathan Anderson’s Dior. Over the weekend at LAX, Harry revisited the look with bow-topped Miu Miu ballet flats paired with jeans, a cap, and a structured bag.

Other celebrities have followed suit. Jacob Elordi wore ballet flats by Celine, while Bad Bunny made the case for their red carpet potential when he arrived at a premiere in flats. The musician has also leaned into the aesthetic through footwear design, launching an Adidas trainer line called the Ballerina.

The appeal of a simpler silhouette

Despite the growing celebrity endorsement, ballet flats remain a relatively niche choice in menswear. Unlike other slim footwear trends, such as low-profile sneakers, they have not yet fully crossed into the mainstream.

The appeal lies in the shoe’s simplicity. Ballet flats lack the thick soles and technical detailing that characterize many contemporary sneakers. Instead, they offer a stripped-back silhouette that places greater emphasis on proportion and styling.

Worn with familiar wardrobe staples such as denim, tailored trousers, or a simple T-shirt, the shoe introduces an unexpected but elegant finish.

An everyday option?

That does not necessarily mean ballet flats will replace chunkier footwear styles altogether. Sneakers and boots remain staples of everyday dressing, valued for both practicality and cultural familiarity. But the increasing presence of ballet flats suggests that men’s footwear is becoming more varied.

For now, the trend is largely driven by style-conscious figures and fashion-forward brands. Yet as more men experiment with slimmer silhouettes and softer tailoring, ballet flats may continue to move from novelty to accepted option.

What once seemed unusual on the runway now appears increasingly plausible in everyday life. And in a menswear landscape that is gradually becoming less rigid about what men can wear, even a ballet flat no longer feels entirely out of place.