From L.A. to Paris, It Girls Are Swapping Their Ballet Flats for This Heeled Alt

Anne Laure-Mais wears leopard pants with red ballet pumps while riding a bike.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

The fashionable influence of ballet flats on an ensemble is undeniable. More often than not, they serve as the perfect final touch to an aspirational French-girl outfit. But a new style in footwear is gaining popularity among women in Europe and America. (Think Kaia Gerber, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jameela Jamil.) Meet ballet pumps, a sophisticated and elegant alternative to the flats above we've all come to know and love.

For quite some time, ballet flats have been a dominant force in street fashion. Nevertheless, fashion enthusiasts have started to explore more refined and elevated options as understated luxury and elegant aesthetics become more popular, leading to the surge of ballet pumps.

Anne wears leopard pants, red ballet pumps, and a white T-shirt.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Ballet pumps, also known as block-heel pumps, combine the graceful shape of classic ballet flats with the addition of a 1.5-inch heel or higher. Despite the heel, these shoes maintain comfort and versatility. They serve as an excellent wearable trend for transitioning between seasons this fall and effortlessly enhancing a wide range of outfits, from relaxed pants and trench coats to A-line dresses and cozy cardigans. One popular styling choice that's catching on is the preppy-athletic look, which involves pairing ballet pumps with a polo shirt, a skirt, and ribbed socks or a tailored blazer with a midi pencil skirt and metal-frame eyewear.

While some brands have offered ballet pumps for seasons, others have perfected their styles more recently. From Steve Madden's cult-favorite Cherish Heels to Prada's leather design that was seen on the runway and Jeffrey Campbell's modern iteration, ballet pumps have become a staple footwear style among our favorite retailers.

Emili Sindlev wears a red strapless minidress with black ballet pumps.

(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

They're ideal for this time of year, so read on to discover our edit of the best ballet pumps to shop now.

Shop our favorite ballet pumps:

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Associate Fashion Editor

Nikki Chwatt is an associate fashion editor based in New York City. She joined Who What Wear in 2024 after writing fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content for WWD, Well+Good, Editorialist, and more. With a passion for personal style and the creativity that comes with it, one of Chwatt's goals is to help others understand that there is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” style; it’s just about putting an outfit together that makes you feel confident in yourself. When she's not writing, you can find her taking a Pilates class, reading a powerful romance novel, or exploring a new wellness spot in Manhattan.