Goodbye, Basic Flats: These Are The Trendiest Ways To Wear The Shoe Style In 2026

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Ballet flats are one of the most perennially beloved styles. These shoes are comfortable and versatile, while also being polished. "I love my ballet flats," wrote one Reddit user. "They go with virtually any dress and I can actually walk in them." But like any other classic, ballet flats are getting an upgrade in 2026. That means there are plenty of fresh versions you can get that will have you looking perfectly timeless but still fashion forward.

In part, updating your ballet flats means looking for a version of this shoe that feel elevated. Instead of romantic oversized bows, bold shapes and sophisticated textures are the name of the game. Rounded or almond toe box shapes will date your flats, but sharply pointed or squared toe shape are great ways to ace the ballet flat revival without making yourself look dated. Whether your style is quiet luxury or blokecore, there's a current version of this revived trend that's perfect for you.

This riff on the classic ballet flat hit it big in 2022 when the designer Alaïa debuted their mesh Mary Jane flat. These shoes are a clever update on the flat since they merge classic style with a modern texture. You can get the same look with a pair like these Women's Mesh Ballet Flats.

Mesh flats make a great option for summer since the open style lets your feet breathe, while still giving you the polish and sophistication of a closed-toe shoe. While the Alaïa version generally features a wider weave, other designed have crafted finer versions, like these Franco Sarto Tinsley Mary Jane Flats. Alternatively, you can make this style even more playful but opting for a rubber material, like these CUSHIONAIRE Siesta Modern Lattice Ballet Flats, giving you the best of the contemporary mesh flat, as well as summer's most nostalgic shoe trend that's giving life to a formerly outdated look.

The vamp of the shoe refers to the portion that covers the top of your foot. These days, one of the most outside-the-box shoe trends to elevate your outfits is a high vamp, which exposes far less skin than a low vamp. High-vamp flats — also sometimes called "glove flats" — offer a '90s minimalist spin on this staple shoe. "The influence of quiet luxury and celebrity street style further elevates glove flats as a marker of taste," Katherine Theobalds, founder of Zou Xou Shoes, told The Zoe Report. "They offer the functionality of a flat shoe but with an elevated aesthetic that sneakers can't quite achieve."

These sleek, fitted styles are a major contrast to the wider, round-toe styles that were popular during the 2010s. As a result, these flats look fresh and sculptural. "The high vamp looks elevated to me," wrote one Reddit user. For maximum sophisticated vibes, forgo embellishments and look for a pair featuring a soft leather texture and close fit, like these Schutz Courtney Flats.

The traditional ballet flat becomes a Mary Jane with the addition of a strap over the top. It might seem like a small change, but it can instantly transform your shoe from hopelessly outdated to right on trend. The strap means they're even more secure than a ballet flat, but every bit as walkable. "They're so cute and SO COMFY," wrote one Reddit user. "I wear them to work, way better than heels but still look chic and put together."

When selecting your Mary Jane flats, look for a pair with a square toe. While some versions feature a more classic strap, like these Women's Ballet Mary Jane Flats, you can also look for something with a slightly more modern take, like these Women's Square Toe Criss Cross Slip On Mary Janes. If you're feeling really playful, you can lean into the "sneakerina" trend with a pair like these Project Cloud Fashion Mary Jane Shoes.