Ballerina Sneakers, Where Grace & Grunge Meet

We are all acutely aware of the impact that coquette-core, ballet-core and bows have had on our style in the last 12-18 months, right? I think our countless edits covering the TikTok-born trends should be testament.

The hold that ballerina flats have had on our fashionable society of late is totally indicative of the willingness of us to lean into the ultra feminine trends mentioned above, but why are the shoes still such a topic of contention?

Girly, delicate, pink, close to the ground, un-supportive, these are just some of the reasons why we believe you either love, or loathe, the ballerina flat. Which brings us to the 2024 update we didn’t know we needed. A shoe hybrid that invites more fashion-lovers to jump aboard the Ballerina vogue that seems to be going nowhere, say hello to the Ballerina Sneaker.

The style is almost exactly how it sounds, it combines the femininity of a ballet flat, and toughs it up with the essence of a sneaker.

In a recent article published in ‘The Cut’, Nicole DeMarco describes the shoe as having “a ballerina-style, low-top body and a heavy-duty trek sole made of rubber, durable synthetics, or eco-conscious alternatives”.

This contemporary output isnt yet embraced by the mainstream, yet there are a few brands who have supported the future of the quirky style. One of the brands synonymous with the Ballerina Sneaker is most assuredly Simone Rocha.

Simone Rocha is a British namesake label, churning out the embellished and ethereal pieces synonymous with the brand. Think Sandy Liang style femininity and edge! Rocha started designing  what she calls a “ballet tracker,” back in 2020. Since then, she’s created 10 different versions of the ballet sneaker, spanning traditional flats and thick platforms, varying fabrics, hardware, and straps.