Last week I asked for recommendations for simple black ballet flats on twitter.
The pair I’ve worn religiously are worn out. Simple flats are harder to find than you would think. I had a lot of good suggestions and I made a little roundup of my favorites.
A. Repetto Ballet Flats $200
B. Delman Flats $170
C. Gap Flats $40
D. Target Mossimo Flats $13
E. Bloch Ballet Flats $125
F. Calvin Klein Lexa $98
rosanguyen
February 3, 2010
I need new black flats, its such a necessity
KateB
February 3, 2010
I love this post – it reminds me of a dance-step-diagram!
kate
February 3, 2010
repetto wins 700%!
(though i did just get a great pair of black flats by les prairies des paris)
Liz
February 3, 2010
I have that pair from Target. For 13 dollars they are holding up quite well!
Pamela
February 3, 2010
As much as it pains me, I have to advise against the Mossimo flats. I absolutely love all things Target, but I've found that those flats wear out soo quickly – you'll be back on the hunt for black flats in six weeks.
Kate@ Kids and Cocktails
February 3, 2010
Hands down, the best pair of flats I've ever owned are my Lanvin flats. They are not budget-friendly by any means, but they are so comfy, you'll want to wear them everyday…thus saving $$ on other shoes. 🙂 They have a hidden one inch wedge in them, so they are great for people need a little lift due to knee pain or tinyness {I'm both!}. I wore them all over NYC without any pain or blisters and they're making their way with me to Disney World today. I know they're a splurge, but totally worth it! http://www.barneys.com/Ballet%20Flat/500351611,default,pd.html
Kate@ Kids and Cocktails
February 3, 2010
Oh and I also really like Sue London flats. I think she has a SF store.
Kate F.
February 3, 2010
If I can add one more to the list… My feet HATE flats, but the one pair that has ever worked for me (they're like 1/3 price version of French Soles) are the ones from TopShop. Might be because I'm between U.S. sizes but a perfect size 40 in UK shoes? I bought mine in London, so I don't know if the U.S. ones are exactly the same, but I've worn mine to shreds. (I just checked the site and they only have plastic ones in the simple style I liked. Not leather. Sob.)
Anonymous
February 3, 2010
http://www.zappos.com/sloop
Shelby
February 3, 2010
French Sole sloop flats are my absolute favorites even though they are a bit pricey. They are so comfy and classic looking. Can be found at Nordstrom.
{april kennedy}
February 3, 2010
I have bought a few flats from Target, great style and great price, but not comfy for the whole day. I also have bought elastic back flats…they feel great first thing, but almost end up giving me a 'headache' on my heel.
Don't forget J. Crews flats. I bought a pair of leopard print flats 4 years ago. While pricey in the beginning, I am still wearing them and they are still super comfy.
Good luck!
darcey
February 3, 2010
I vote E. (the Bloch ballet flats). Bloch knows a thing or two about ballet slippers, to say the least!
Kathleen Frances
February 3, 2010
I'm looking for a cheap mustard yellow ballet flat and haven't found any as of yet. If you know of some, I'd definitely be interested.
Caroline, No.
February 3, 2010
I really dislike the elastic bunched ones, for some reason. I like the Gap ones out of all of these options. (Repetto if money is no object! $200 is a bit of a silly price for black everyday flats, imo.)
Honora
February 3, 2010
I have the delman flats in dark brown and I love them. Have also been searching, but nothing else comes close for me. They don't have to be worn in! Thanks for a great round-up!
Tina
February 3, 2010
I was going to suggest the French Sole flats as well. I know they sell them at the Garnet Hill catalogs.
Abbie
February 3, 2010
I'm wearing the stink out of my target black flats… I bought 3 pairs. Also, French Sole NY is pretty awesome for flats.
kalanicut
February 3, 2010
I am obsessed right now with finding GEOX Stefany ballerina flats. They seem to have some support in the sole and I love the square toe and patent leather. I am so darned picky and fell instantly in love with these…and of course can't find them in my size anywhere… 🙁
Kristi
February 3, 2010
I love Delman flats! They're so comfy and a great investment since you'll be getting a lot of wear out of them.
amy
February 3, 2010
Me Too flats. They are simple & padded with a tiny gathering detail at the vamp. The only (minor) catch is they are not super-supportive but what flat is?
Have been thinking of trying the cheapo Target ones but in the copper.
erin
February 3, 2010
I know they're expensive, but I love my Repetto ballet flats and highly recommend them. They're still going strong after over a year of constant wear walking around Paris.
Monica
February 3, 2010
@Kathleen Frances
Target has a pair of mustard flats: http://www.target.com/Merona-Madalena-Suede-Ballet-Flats/dp/B0026MH1T8/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton – I ordered them yesterday after seeing them on My Little Happy Place…
Alyssa Coberly
February 3, 2010
I have to second the 'i hate the elastic ones' they always cut into my heel – – my favorite that I have been wearing OVER AND OVER are my marais black flats – – amazing … and I love that they are patent on the toe but still all black.
Alyssa Coberly
http://www.handmadejig.etsy.com
Paisley Petunia
February 3, 2010
I love me a great black flat. I have had great success with Target. This is a great roundup. I'd also love a pair of London Soles one day…
Melissa Blake
February 3, 2010
Those flowers make me even more excited for spring. Thanks so much for posting! xoxo
snic
February 3, 2010
Buy those Target flats… TODAY! They offer no support but they are fantastic. You might also want to check out the red patent… the color is perfect and the finish is lovely.
Jane
February 3, 2010
I have a pair from Lands End that I totally love!
http://www.landsend.com/pp/ClassicBalletShoe~205075_253.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::ADH&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000181&origin=index
Amazing quality, too
Jennifer
February 3, 2010
I have the Repettos and the Delmans, and I really recommend the latter. The Repettos are just lovely, but I've found the leather to be on the thin side, and they definitely need to be sent to the cobbler to put rubber soles on as the soles themselves are rather delicate. The Delmans, on the other hand, are amazing. There was no breaking-in period, they're so soft and comfortable, and they're rubber on the bottom so you don't have to re-sole them.
amber, theAmberShow
February 3, 2010
I'm looking for black flats, too. I found that with Zappos I get better results searching "Skimmer". Who calls them that?! Ha!
http://www.zappos.com/search/shoes/filter/productTypeFacet/%22Shoes%22/gender/%22Womens%22/categoryFacet/%22Shoes%22/subCategoryFacet/%22Flats%22/attrFacet_Style/%22Skimmer%22/colorFacet/%22Black%22/sort/productPopularity/asc
amanda
February 3, 2010
You'd think they'd be terrible, but crocs have some REALLY cute and obscenely comfortable flats (in many colors — I have a pair in brown). These Olivia flats are my daily work shoes: http://www.crocs.com/crocs-olivia/10335,default,pd.html?cgid=women-footwear
caitlin
February 3, 2010
i have a pair of geox flats that i would probably not have chosen for myself but which are GREAT. they wick out moisture, which is nice and are very well made. i saw the gap ones in the store last week and the shape is perfect. if i didnt have these, i would get those!
Robin
February 3, 2010
earth shoes!
Shannon
February 3, 2010
The Gap flats are cute, but the leather is so thin that your toenails even show through! Ugh. I've also heard good things about Delman flats, too, and the comment son this post make me want to buy some!
Anonymous
February 4, 2010
While I've typically had good luck with Target shoes, I would advise against that particular pair, especially if you live anywhere where it ever rains. The second day I owned them I wore them out about an hour after a rain shower. Despite my avoidance of puddles and the shoes rubber sole, the fabric wicked up all the moisture from the sidewalk and I had mushy feet all day. They're cute as can be, but I call them my "sponge shoes".
Carrie
February 4, 2010
To my surprise, the best pair of black flats I've had in the past few years have been Jessica Simpson brand. Cute and extremely comfortable even most of the way through a pregnancy.
Allison
February 4, 2010
The Target ones are good because they're inexpensive. But they fall apart a few weeks in. As in, my second pair just fell apart yesterday, and I'm having a bit of a shoe crisis myself.
Emily
February 4, 2010
I LIVE in black flats. I'd recommend flats with a soft back that way they will not hurt the back of your heels.
Jane Flanagan
February 4, 2010
I love Bloch and I've also been tempted by some Sue London flats. It can be really, really hard to find good plain black flats!!
Lindsey
February 4, 2010
I own a pair of the gap flats + love them. highly recommend!
carina
February 5, 2010
Dear Jordan, I'm happy that I'm not the only person in this world obsessed with ballerinas:-) I can recommend Pretty Ballerina's Audrey model which I blogged about here. They are great!
http://weareallinthegutterbut.blogspot.com/2010/01/prettyoh-so-pretty.html
sera
February 5, 2010
Me Too flats have actually have a little padding in them. I have five pairs. I just can't help myself.
Eliza
February 5, 2010
Repetto will last you ages and how can you go wrong with something designed for Brigitte Bardot? Worth the splurge (think cost per wear). The ones with elastic always press on my ankles and make my toes feel like curling backwards (in the style of Wicked Witch of the east).
Mel
February 5, 2010
I just love the Delman flats! If only I could spend that much on shoes…the time will come!
teatoastblog.blogspot.com/
Lillian
February 6, 2010
LOVE this post!
Anonymous
February 7, 2010
I'm embarrassed to ask, but, how do you keep your feet from getting stinky walking around in flats all day? I love to wear them, but my feet get so gross! Do you all have any tips?
Barbie
February 7, 2010
Please do let us know what you decide on getting and how you like them! I'd love to know.
wiley
February 12, 2010
go with the gap ones. i have spent so much on great basic flats and no matter what designer or shop, they all get dirtied up and worn after a few months. the gap ones hold up pretty well and the shape is always perfect.
daisedandconfused
February 13, 2010
Ah! I have the same problem. I had a favorite pair, and replaced them with that Target pair. They are ok….but just never quite the same. The shape just isn't as elegant as I'd like, and I don't really like the finish. It is SO HARD to find the perfect black flat!
Anonymous
February 15, 2010
If you ever see Andrea Carrano vintage "Baby" flats, snatch them up. When the store in Beverly Hills closed, I bought 9 pairs. I'm down to two, and I wish they'd make them again. Perfect toe cleavage.
http://www.shophousingworks.com/lot.cfm?lotID=9881
potenta
February 27, 2010
the arched ones are a bit qinki in way…like them 🙂