Nice ballet flats for that Parisian look?

[YoureBreakingMyHeartCecilia]

I’m enjoying the French threads!

Does anyone have any good places to look for nice ballet flats for spring?

I have massive size 8 feet (but narrow) and just want something to wear on days when I don’t need to walk for miles (I live in trainers in spring usually and tbh would always wear trainers rather than ballet flats if I was walking any real distance as I don’t get enough arch support from a flat...)

I like bright colours and neutrals but not pastels. I can probably spend up to £100, ideally less but if I fall in love with anything I could edge it higher. Are French Sole worth the extra £££ for example?

Would love your reccs!

The only people I have seen pull off ballet flats nicely are the Duchess of Cambridge and Audrey Hepburn OP. On mere mortals they make the feet look like dirty loaves of proving dough!

There are some lovely size 8 Russell and Bromley ballet pumps on eBay at the moment
hash=item3b56f2a9ba:g:XPsAAOSwOKpgIsI8

Sorry see if this works

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Russell-Bromley-ladies-ballerina-shoes-1-heel-blue-snakeskin-size-43-8-5-9-/254861814202?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

I honestly think ballet flats are really hard to pull off. Chunkier shoes with a flat heel look much better. I really like a pair of loafers in m&s at the moment and they have money off lots of stuff at the moment.

I know S&B can be a bit funny over vintage but I love these and they have a gentle heel and plenty to hold the shoes on your foot - and they suit narrow feet at €99 I think they are perfect!!!

www.penahaus.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=127_249

And these are probably more ‘now’ than ballet flats even though they’re called 90s!!!

www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/gh-bass-weejuns-90s-black-leather-loafers?inventoryCountry=GB&currency=GBP&color=001&size=UK%206&_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQiApY6BBhCsARIsAOI_GjbpsJdEHRPX8zu2IwjemNI_jtz227QxK_zemyHjKrLRD3cV9yMSlokaAin0EALw_wcB&utm_campaign=Shopping&utm_term=CSS_Generics&utm_content=Cj0KCQiApY6BBhCsARIsAOI_GjbpsJdEHRPX8zu2IwjemNI_jtz227QxK_zemyHjKrLRD3cV9yMSlokaAin0EALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQiApY6BBhCsARIsAOI_GjbpsJdEHRPX8zu2IwjemNI_jtz227QxK_zemyHjKrLRD3cV9yMSlokaAin0EALw_wcB&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

I can’t do ballet pumps at all I’ve got small narrow feet and just don’t feel right
I like a pointy shoe with tiny heel
Just bought these

I have a couple of pairs of Gabor very low wedge ballet pumps from a few years ago. Not sure if they still do them, but sure they’ll have something similar. I find these more comfortable than completely flat. It’s a great make for comfort and there are usually some less frumpy options!

One option could be to get slightly larger shoes and pop in a supportive orthopaedic insole. That sounds easy but might be hard to get it all aligned and looking good.

I like the £90 Steve Madden quilted pump on ASOS - the toe cap will give the illusion of less shoe. New Look did do something similar for about £20 too.

I've had a few pairs of French Sole in the past and always found them SO uncomfortable. They are really narrow and stiff and the front is really low (so shows a lot of toe cleavage if that makes sense) I ended up accepting they weren't for me, and getting rid of them.

Boden used to do lovely ones which were really comfy (I’m size 8/42) they have changed the style now slightly but they still look nice. The bit around the edge is flexible I think...
www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/hettie-flexi-ballerinas-gold-snake-dusky-rose/sty-a0509-gld

I have these as I’m vegan. Love them as they are cushioned
www.wills-vegan-shoes.com/womens-vegan-ballerina-flats-black-3727.html

I adore looking at Repetto Paris like all French Women
@YoureBreakingMyHeartCecilia until I can afford them I get mine from L K Bennett

Thanks everyone!

So last night I entirely abandoned the idea of ballet flats (after being reminded on here why I stopped wearing them in the first place ) and while I was browsing online I saw these (last pair in my size) and SNAPPED THEM UP!!!

www.johnlewis.com/geox-women's-annytah-leather-loafers-brown/p5099912

I love Geox as I know their size 42 fits me well (in trainers at least) and they tend to be comfy.

I know they’re not high fashion or anything but I think these look really elegant and versatile. I love the colour.

NEVER worn loafers in my life really (I think I may have had a pair in my 20s) so tell me: what do I wear them with when spring comes? I love ankle skimming trousers which I think look good with loafers but do they need to be slim fitting, like cigarette trousers, or more baggy...?

And what else do they go with? Jeans, and if so, ideally cropped...?

Thanks so much for all the advice on here!

Oops, I clicked on this thinking it was a property thread!

Tory Burch but expensive

I have a fre pairs of Dune Harpars. They're totally comfortable and wear all through the summer. Dune Black range also did some lovely ballet flats but not sure if they're in stock.

I like Gabor ballet flats as they have proper support, including a separate heel. The French Sole ones are absolutely not worth the money IMO.

I know ballet flats are the quintessential French staple and happy to be corrected on this but I thought it was more common for the French or Parisians at least to wear trainers when out and about and carry extra shoes? In which case the ballet flats may not be needed as much. Like a previous poster I don't think they give enough support. Having said that Hotter and Fitflop would be my go tos if your budget stretches that way.

I have a couple of pairs of Butterfly Twists that I use for the school/nursery run before changing into my heels for work, at least that was pre-pandemic 😂

They currently have a sale on butterflytwists.com/collections/sales

Also, at the risk of sounding like a Duchess of Cambridge wannabe (nowt wrong in my eyes but I know others aren’t fans of her style), the Sebago Bala shoes are very comfy and more supportive than ballet flats.

www.sebago.co.uk/item/211/Sebago/Womens-Nina-Suede-Bala-Moccasin-Navy---White.html

I have Gabor flats and they are very comfortable, but have just (this week and delivered today) bought a couple of pairs of ballet pumps from TK Maxx, with small heels and cushioned soles and they are excellent for the price, with some support and covering all of the toes. I can't walk in flat ballet pumps and French Soles are oddly cut and ill fitting for my wide feet (and I've never thought worth the price). Might be worth looking at TK Maxx, as some lovely colours and in leather / suede too.

I've been eyeing these Vionic flats as I love the simplicity of them and they look comfortable - but I've never spent that much on ballet flats so I'm dithering!

I have worn ballet flats for work summer and winter for at least 10 years. I am on my feet a lot and have never had any problems.
I tend to wear M&S or occasionally buy from TK Max. I find them very comfortable.