Menswear is loosening up, and with it, long-held ideas of what defines masculineity are evolving. The new wave of style is fluid, experimental, and increasingly open to silhouettes once considered off-limits. Enter ballet flats. What began as a niche, fashion-forward choice is now shaping up to be a broader design movement.
At the start of the year, Jacob Elordi offered a masterclass in understated styling. Spotted on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he paired ballet flats with a loose shirt and relaxed jeans. The look felt easy and unfussy, showing how the silhouette can seamlessly slip into everyday wardrobes without feeling overly performative.
If there’s anyone who has consistently pushed the boundaries of menswear, it’s Harry Styles. Ballet flats are a natural extension of his gender-fluid aesthetic. Whether it was a bow-adorned pair styled with a Chanel suit at the 2026 BRIT Awards or ballerina-inspired Dior mules at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, his choices strike a balance between softness and structure. The effect is polished, but never predictable.
Then there’s Bad Bunny, who brought his own edge to the trend at the 2025 premiere of Happy Gilmore 2. Wearing Dries Van Noten slippers with crisscross straps, styled with socks, his look leaned bold yet intentional. It underscored how this shift in footwear is less about borrowing from womenswear and more about reinterpreting traditional ideas of menswear entirely.
Designer Jeetinder Sandhu highlights our affinity for the trend in 2026. he says, “Ballet flats for men reflect a broader cultural shift towards comfort, fluidity, and a more expressive approach to dressing. They offer a softer, more refined alternative to traditional footwear, while still feeling modern and intentional. The key lies in the balance. Considered structure, elevated materials, and subtle design details that make the silhouette wearable without losing its edge.”
Brands take the ballet trend seriously
Luxury houses are paying attention. Christian Louboutin is formalising the trend with its Diopic ballerina, crafted in black crepe satin. Designed as occasion wear, the style is already being positioned as a fresh alternative for the wedding season—refined, but with a modern twist.
Meanwhile, Morjas offers a reminder that delicate footwear in menswear isn’t entirely new. It’s classic opera pump, with a low-cut silhouette and signature bow, has been a black-tie staple for decades. In that sense, the resurgence of ballet flats feels less like a disruption and more like a return to fashion’s softer, more elegant roots.
As menswear continues to evolve, ballet flats reflect a broader shift towards fluidity and self-expression, proving that style is no longer bound by rigid definitions of masculinity.
