The Elegant Flat Shoe Trend That Will Take Over This Summer
Flat shoes have taken over in a major way in the last several years. Ballerina styles—traditional, Mary Jane, rhinestone-embellished, mesh, and Alaïa's viral version—had a renaissance and continue to drop in new iterations and maintain high demand. Moving further into 2024, we're seeing an uptick in sophisticated style, and that is translating to footwear. While we don't expect to see ballerina shoes slowing down, elegant slingback flats are set to take over this summer and beyond.
Notable versions have been circulating on the market for years, including iconic designs from brands such as Chanel, Roger Vivier, and Saint Laurent. Those styles are resonating in an even bigger way and are selling out so fast they are almost impossible to track down in stores. Regardless of your budget, there are beautiful versions at every price point. Ahead, shop our edit of elegant slingback flats to add to your wardrobe.
Loro Piana just released a slingback version of the brand's cult Rebecca flats.
Saint Laurent's Blade shoes are so popular they arrive in a new version each season.
Lifted ever so slightly with a small kitten heel.
Sabato de Sarno's first collection for Gucci is starting to arrive in stores.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury and runway content as well as wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and MyTheresa, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
-
I Just Found 18 Pairs of Heavily Discounted Designer It Flats—Here's Where
It's our lucky day.
By Allyson Payer
-
Sorry, Sneakers—Fashion People Are in Agreement About These Classic Flats
A 58-year-old staple.
By Eliza Huber
-
I Nearly Spent $820 on Kendall Jenner's Flats—Then I Found This $120 Alt at Nordstrom
It's strikingly similar.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
No Sneakers Needed—This Flat Shoe Trend Makes Leggings Look So Much Prettier
Branch out.
By Allyson Payer
-
This Specific Color Makes Ballet Flats Look 10 Times More Elegant
The perfect shoe style.
By Emma Spedding
-
Every Elegant Outfit in 2025 Will Start With One of These 7 Flat Shoe Trends
Comfort is key.
By Copelyn Bengel
-
The One Flat-Shoe Trend Gigi and Hailey Wear Every December
It goes with everything.
By Drew Elovitz
-
New Yorkers and Europeans Agree—Wearing Flats in These 5 Colorways Will Make You Look So Rich
She's fancy, she's busy.
By Natalie Cantell