The Elegant Shoe Trends Celebs Have Been Wearing for 50+ Years

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Zendaya looks away from the camera wearing a white headband and a checkered coat.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Are you a classic dresser or a trend lover? We write plenty of stories catering to both ends of the spectrum, but this one's for those who gravitate toward timeless pieces. While doing photo research for my Cannes Film Festival retrospective, I came across an image of Audrey Hepburn in 1960 wearing a pair of flats that looked strikingly similar to the Loro Piana ones Zendaya wore recently. The 64-year gap made me think of shoe styles that have been able to transcend trends throughout the decades.

Another popular shoe trend that celebrities have been wearing for over 50 years is T-strap sandals. Jackie Kennedy famously wore hers while on vacation in Capri, and Meghan Markle is known to wear them frequently. Finally, to round out this story, I included an image of Grace Kelly wearing ballet flats in Palm Springs in 1954, proving that the style has some serious longevity. Scroll down to see the photos and shop the trio of timeless shoes.

Pointy-Toe Flats: Then and Now

Audrey Hepburn wears a short-sleeve dress and flats, pictured with two other people.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zendaya wears a gray sweater with gray trousers and green flats.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

Shop the Trend

brown pointy-toe flats
Loro Piana
Rebecca Calfskin Ballerina Flats

You can't go wrong with Zendaya's exact pair of flats.

black pointy-toe flats
Flattered
Bodil Leather Ballet Flats

Sleek and simple.

light pink suede pointy-toe flats
MANOLO BLAHNIK
Maysale Suede Point-Toe Flats

This baby pink is perfect for summer.

T-Strap Thong Sandals: Then and Now

Jackie Kennedy wears a white short dress and thong sandals.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meghan Markle wears a printed dress with thong sandals.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Shop the Trend

a model wears black T-strap thong sandals with an all-white outfit
Reformation
Thea T-Strap Flat Sandals

Don't overlook Reformation's fantastic shoe selection.

black T-strap thong sandals
ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS
Lito Leather Sandals

These sandals can be styled in a million different ways.

gold metallic T-strap thong sandals
AQUAZZURA
Almost Bare Metallic Leather Sandals

Aquazzura never gets it wrong.

Ballet Flats: Then and Now

Grace Kelly wears a T-shirt and shorts with ballet flats in a black-and-white image.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sofia Richie wears a black and white dress with red ballet flats.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Shop the Trend

red ballet flats with a bow
Sam Edelman
Meadow Ballet Flats

Hurry: These cute shoes are currently on sale.

black Mary Jane flats with a thin strap
Dolce Vita
Reyes Mary Janes

I'm simply obsessed.

black ballet flats with a small bow
Schutz
Arissa Flats

These are perfect for the office.

Erin Fitzpatrick
Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.

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