Ballet trainers: Meet SS26’s biggest shoe trend
Part-flat, part-trainer, this divisive shoe is made for elegant everyday ease
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I’m going to start by saying that ballet trainers are not for everyone. A hybrid of the classic ballerina flat and the everyday trainer, this juxtaposing combination of elegance and sporty edge is unexpected, unusual and definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. But since it went mainstream courtesy of the Louis Vuitton ‘sneakerina’, it’s a design that has stolen the limelight in the shoe department – and become one of this season’s most talked-about trends. Love them or hate them, they’re very much in for Spring ‘26.
Ballet trainers first hit the runway in Simone Rocha’s SS21 show. Giving something hyper-feminine like a ballet slipper a robust, masculine twist is a Simone Rocha house code, and here the style featured satin lace ribbons and chunky rubber soles. The result? A modern, functional style that was graceful but sporty, comfortable and practical. The style set approved and other brands quickly cottoned on to the innovative idea.
Image: Puma
Image: Louis Vuitton
Since its debut, the divisive footwear (it’s often endearingly referred to as ‘ugly’) has found favour at houses including Prada, Miu Miu, and Louis Vuitton, as well as Adidas and Puma at the other end of the spectrum. Take, for example, Puma’s newly launched Speedcat Ballet, a signature design reimagined with a slip-on construction. Inspired by the traditional ballet flat, it’s proof that the style isn’t going anywhere.
A word of warning: the line between on-trend and actually just awkward and ugly is fine here – so what should you be looking for? The best-of-both style marries up a slim, low-profile silhouette with chunky rubber soles and is often finished with silky ribbons or Mary-Jane straps in a choice of pretty pastel, soft neutral and bright colourways. It strikes the perfect balance between elegance and everyday ease, and is also wonderfully versatile. Wear with or without socks, and pair with jeans and shorts for casual outfits with a hint of dance aesthetic, or floaty dresses and skirts for a more boho, whimsical look. You can, of course, wear with sharp tailoring too, an ideal choice in fact when commuting or on your feet all day.
Here are some of our favourite ballet trainers to shop now.
Read more: The best new women’s watches in 2026
