A confession: I’ve never much cared for ballet flats or heels. The former always felt too romantic for my minimalist tastes; the latter too uncomfortable for everyday wear. Instead, I’ve remained loyal to flat loafers and trainers – until Zoë Kravitz’s summer-in-the-city styling sent heeled ballerinas straight to the top of my autumn/winter wish list.
Out and about in New York over the weekend, the actress stayed true to her pared-back aesthetic in a white tee and cropped flared jeans. She finished the look with a black Saint Laurent hobo bag, sporty black sunglasses, and, the real star of the outfit, black suede Maryam Nassir Zadeh ballerinas with a small, sensible heel.
Once I spotted them in that paparazzi shot, block-heeled ballet flats seemed to be everywhere – proof, perhaps, that the style has real staying power. There are endless iterations available online, from classic black and white to patent-red pairs finished with bows. Better still, they work year-round: as the temperature drops, simply swap your baby tee for a crew-neck knit or cardigan, add a trench coat, and you’ve got a Kravitz-inspired look for any season.
