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Ballet Sneakers Are Trending for Spring
An unlikely duo has merged to create a new hybrid shoe
Ballet sneakers have been slowly gaining traction for years. The shoes first made waves in 2021, when the hybrid sneaker style made its debut on the runway at Simone Rocha.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Bella Hadid has stepped out in a pared-down version of the shoe, while designer Grace Wales Bonner showcased her own take on the trend for Spring/Summer 2025, with strappy sneakers in black and leopard, and Miu Miu has continued to be a leader in the ballet shoe trend. This spring, you’ll find ballet sneakers that offer a play on Mary Jane flats with gummy sneaker soles, chunkier technical styles, and more slimmed-down, rounded-toe options, like Puma’s slick Speedcat.
The beauty of this shoe is that it acts as a two-for-one, melding both the design details of a ballet flat with the comfort and ease of a sneaker, offering variety in any shoe closet. “The ballet-sneaker trend is really a micro trend for us,” says Tiffany Hsu, chief buying officer at Mytheresa. “Since ballet flats were such a big trend in the past few seasons, the sneaker is just really an evolution from that.”
However, ballet sneakers have raised some controversy, due to their avant-garde look. “This is a very specific style that could be viewed as polarizing, so it’s not for everyone,” Hsu notes. “You would need a wardrobe that works with this aesthetic, but I believe it’s fun to take risks in fashion, and you could be surprised by the comfort and versatility of the ballet sneaker.”
Thankfully, there are plenty of brands offering minimalist takes, at every price point, like the sleek and simple Adidas Taekwondo or a streamlined version from Zara, both of which can be easily styled with a blazer, button-down, and jeans for a casual office-ready look. Ahead, slip into the 18 best ballet sneakers for women.
Adidas’s Taekwondo sneakers are primed to be the next big sneaker after the Samba. Here, take it up a notch and try a laced-up ballet take on the Takewondo shoe. It’s both sporty and chic.
Size Range: 4.5–9.5
Colors: black, white, metallic
Puma’s Speedcat is a celeb-favorite sneaker, regularly seen on Emily Ratajkowski, Dua Lipa, and Jennifer Lawrence. The brand’s ballerina spin feels refreshingly modern, sleek, and exactly what we need to liven up our sneaker closets this season, especially in bright white. Wear them with everything from baggy jeans to leather skirts and more.
Size Range: 5–11
Colors: white
This is the one that started it all. London-based Simone Rocha was the first major designer to debut ballet sneakers on the runway a few years ago, and we still see new riffs each season. This chunky sneaker hybrid comes complete with a glossy trainer bottom, ballerina drawstring, and buckled straps for extra oomph.
Size Range: 35–41 EU
Colors: black
What experts are saying: “With the platform version of the ballet sneaker, you could wear a baby doll dress with socks and make the look more feminine.” —Tiffany Hsu, chief buying officer at Mytheresa
These satin stunners have the stamp of approval from none other than Bella Hadid, who has been recently spotted pairing them with everything from slouchy, leather jackets and capri leggings, to her signature, boot-cut blue jeans. These street style-friendly styling takes toughen up the dainty nature of this silky shoe.
Size Range: 5–11
Colors: light gold, black, peach blush, dream blue
If you are looking for a sneaker that can do double duty, Y-3’s sneaker can be worn with laces wrapped around your ankle, in true ballerina style, or tucked inside for a more streamlined look. We love a style with maximum versatility.
Size Range: 5–11
Colors: black, white
If you’re not ready to fully embrace the chunky ballet-sneaker look, consider this pair from Nicole Saldana. The shoes still feature a sporty rubber sole mixed with a pop of color, but their silhouette is still simple and minimalist.
Size Range: 36–41
Colors: brown
This Acne Studios design combines a few trends into one, producing a fresh take on the hybrid idea. Featuring criss-crossed lacing, a rubberized sneaker sole, and a sleek silver exterior, these ballerina sneakers are high on style. Wear them casually with a white tee and jeans or dress them up for a night out with a minidress and sparkly earrings.
Size Range: 5–11
Colors: silver, off-white, dark brown
What experts are saying: “Choose Acne styles for a sportier, more grungy look, which are easier to style than the Mary Jane straps. You can wear these with slouchy jeans and a baby-tee for more of a Y2K look.” —Tiffany Hsu, chief buying officer at Mytheresa
This Swedish footwear brand is known for minimalist designs and quality construction. (These are handcrafted in Portugal.) However, the Marathon Ballet sneaker takes things to another level with its riff on the trend-forward shoe that blends a high-performance trainer with stylish details.
Size Range: 35–42 EU
Colors: black, off-white
If you are still unsure whether this sneaker trend is for you, dip your toes in with a shoe with a minimalist vibe that also happens to be affordable. The strap style is simple enough to work with your go-to favorite black trousers and a white button-down, for an easy, casual office look.
Size Range: 5–10
Colors: black
Miu Miu Sport Quilted Nylon Mary Jane Sneaker
Miu Miu has been a leader in the ballet-shoe trend for years. This techy nylon ballet-sneaker adaptation feels both futuristic and retro at the same time. Style yours with a pleated midi skirt and T-shirt.
Size Range: 35–41 IT
Colors: gray, ivory
Whether you’re heading to barre class or not, not only will these revamp your activewear looks, they can also be paired with flowy slip skirts and floral dresses for fresh spring outfit ideas to take you into the summer months.
Size Range: 6–11
Colors: beige, black, gray
What reviewers are saying: “I chose the gray and am pleased with the soft color. The sole is also the identical gray and has a pleasing design. It not only looks beautiful, functionally it has a great tread for walking on just about any surface. The outer shoe is a soft suede texture that contrasts nicely with the rubber. The elastic corded laces are intriguing. They feel supportive without strangling and can be tied to stay put. The insole of this flat is a dreamy foam that absorbs any shocks or rocks without notice. I have a narrow foot and these fit me perfectly with thin socks.”
Grace Wales Bonner’s interpretation of the ballet sneaker is playful and nods toward the leopard-print trend (which, as any good fashion editor knows, is just another neutral with a little more pizzazz).
Size Range: 35–42 IT
Colors: leopard, black, white calf hair, black, off-white
Ash’s sneaker takes the Dad sneaker shoe and adds a chunky strap, inspired by those of a ballet flat or Mary Jane. We especially love the metallic silver colorway, which is a key sneaker trend this year too.
Size Range: 6–11
Colors: silver, tan
Lean into ultimate comfort with Camper’s renowned ergonomic design. You’ll find unbeatable traction and OrthoLite insoles for extra cushion, plus they are made from partially recycled materials, so they’re ecofriendly too. All wins in our book. The street-style-forward design can be worn effortlessly with anything from T-shirts and jeans to slipdresses and midi skirts.
Size Range: 36–41 EU
Colors: black multi, white multi, silver multi
What reviewers are saying: “Comfortable shoes with a lightweight design. Fit perfectly and feel like sneakers. The sole is warm enough to wear throughout winter as well.”
Lean into something with a little more lift with Marni’s Pablo platforms. Paired with a vibrant look, inspired by the brand’s own runway styling—from bold, pop-inspired prints to subtle polka dots—they can be the right finishing touch to a splashy ensemble.
Size Range: 35–41 EU
Colors: white, black, blue
Vans fans can still tap into the energy of the trend with the brand’s T-strap Mary Jane sneaker style. It’s a bit simpler, with a cotton canvas footbed and rubber sole (both brand trademarks), while still providing that hybrid feel.
Size Range: 5–11
Colors: black
Leave it to MM6 and Salomon to come up with an irresistible collaboration that hits all the high notes of the ballet-sneaker trend. Their version blends style with high-performance sport (complete with a treaded sole) that Salomon is known for, so you will be able to wear them in the city and the great outdoors.
Size Range: 35–42 EU
Colors: black, multicolor
If you are a bona fide white sneaker addict, consider these an alternative to your tried-and-true lace-ups. They are just as sporty and sleek as your favorite trainers, with mesh and perforated panels, but the addition of a simple strap makes them even easier to slip into.
Size Range: 36–41 EU
Colors: white, silver, gold
Moncler Pacey Ballet Mary Jane Sneaker
Moncler can be relied on for all things winter, from puffer coats to winter boots, but the brand’s ballerina sneaker is going to take some of those same performative elements and inject them into a sneaker. The chunky, rubbery sole will help provide traction and stability, wherever your next adventures take you.
Size Range: 35–41 IT
Colors: black, white
