I got this question the other day: “Are ballet flats still in?” That’s when I pointed out the Repettos on my feet—a pair of purple patent-leather ballet flats. It got me thinking. Yes, ballet flats are still going strong, but lately, whenever I see them, they aren’t what you’d expect. The classic black flats and ruby-red Mary Janes are getting harder to spot. Instead, fashion people are opting for unexpected prints and colors. Spoiler: Technicolor hues and animal prints are redefining neutral footwear.

Just as the flats got an upgrade, so did the styling rules. How to wear ballet flats in 2026 means pairing the preppy footwear with oversize button-downs and baggy jeans, playing with prints and tights, drawing from Y2K activewear with a baseball tee and yoga pants, and styling a white T-shirt with a lace-trim miniskirt.

This nontraditional ballet-flat color isn’t just a me thing; fashion people from London to NYC to Madrid to Stockholm are embracing the surprising shades too. Prompted by my friend’s uncertainty about the ballet-flat trend, I went on a deep dive to prove that this footwear is so much more than a subway flat or an overhyped novelty.