Forget Ballet Flats—Fashion People in Paris Prefer This Elevated Alternative
The next It shoes are here.
Ballet pumps are anything but new, and they aren't experiencing a "comeback." They've been in. But a new style has quietly entered the fashion scene in recent weeks that is newsworthy, especially now that Kaia Gerber's given it her stamp of approval.
The model, actress, and Repetto repeater (from the Cendrillon to the Camille) was seen in Paris leaving the Hotel Costes at the end of Paris Fashion Week alongside fellow supermodel Vittoria Ceretti. For the occasion, Gerber donned a perfect night-out-in-Paris ensemble made up of a silky black minidress, sheer tights, and black pumps—but not just any pumps. She wore Repetto ballet stiletto pumps with a kitten heel similar to traditional ballet pumps, but instead of a block heel, they feature a skinny stiletto heel, giving them a sleek, evening-ready look.
On Kaia Gerber: Repetto Cendrillon Pointed-Toe Pumps ($585); Givenchy Mini Voyou Bag ($2150); Thistles The Atlas Sunglasses ($335)
Specifically, Gerber donned a pair of Cendrillon Pointy 45 Pumps, which have a slightly pointed toe but share most of the same features of the traditional Cendrillon ballet flats (plus the stiletto heel, of course). Though she selected classic black, her silhouette comes in burgundy patent leather, and Repetto also makes a taller 75-millimeter version.
Her nighttime ballet-flats alternative is a style we're beginning to see pop up at all our favorite shoe brands, including Mansur Gavriel. Other labels like The Row and Miu Miu are leaning into heeled versions of ballet flats as well, opting for thicker heels but still offering a more refined look than traditional ballet pumps. At Chanel's Métiers d'Art show, the brand presented a pair of luxurious satin ballet pumps, which are now, at last, available. Clearly, this isn't a shoe trend that's going anywhere anytime soon.
If you agree, keep scrolling to shop Gerber's ballet stiletto pumps in more colors as well as similar styles.
Shop more ballet pumps:
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joinedBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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