Loafers in pastel shades are perfect to go with trousers, jeans or capri pants. Photo: dpa
Flat shoes are back and this season, it's all about ballerina pumps and loafers.
And when we say flat, we mean it – no more chunky soles!
Who would have thought, but ballet flats are back.
"As far as shoe fashion is concerned, ballet flats are making a big comeback," says Claudia Schulz, spokeswoman for the German Shoe Institute.
For a long time, the closed flats almost disappeared, as more and more buyers opted for shoes with chunkier soles. Now ballet pumps are making a return, as they have done many times before in their long history.
From dance shoe to everyday flats
Ballet flats date back to the 18th century, when walking and outdoor adventures became increasingly popular, says fashion historian Birgit Haase.
The rise in outdoor activities called for more practical clothing and flat shoes began replacing heeled shoes.
"Around 1800, the so-called escarpin, a light, wide shoe without heels, was all the rage and worn mainly as a dance shoe by both sexes," says Haase.
The escarpin is considered the forerunner of today's ballet flats and often held in place by two side straps that were looped across the calf.
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"This type of shoe then found its way into classical ballet via the cross-band shoe," says the professor, who teaches at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences.
"Today's ballet flats became fashionable in the 20th century."
Ballet pumps were particularly popular in the 1940s and 1950s, worn with dresses and knee-length skirts. In the late 50s, they were "combined with capri pants or petticoats", says Haase.
The shoe made a comeback in the 1980s when it was predominantly worn with jeans or as part of the New Romantic movement with punky tulle skirts.
At the turn of the millennium, ballet flats were often combined with skinny jeans. Throughout the years, the shoe's basic shape has remained largely unchanged, Haase says.
Nowadays, many ballet pumps have rounded toes.
"Some have little bows or a contrasting colour at the front, a la Chanel," says shoe expert Claudia Schulz. "The classic ballet flat in cream and black is also very popular."
A new twist on an old classic
Ballet pumps also come in eye-catching metallic shades this summer, from silver and gold to platinum and bronze.
Slimmer versions of the shoe come with a pointed toe and a tiny heel. This variation goes well with wide trousers or denims, says Schulz.
Ballet flats with a square toe look great with a boxy jacket for instance. Playful Mary Janes with straps over the instep can be worn with white socks or a mini skirt.
One of the great things about ballet flats is that they are easily combined with a number of different outfits, including shorts and short pants. A clear view of the ankles is always a good idea.
Be aware that ballet flats won't exactly make your legs look longer, though, especially when wearing wide trousers, says Schulz.
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Casual loafers
If you don't fancy going back to ballet flats, opt for a flat loafer instead this season.
The comfy slip-ons have been around again for a while and were the pacesetter for the ballet pump comeback, says Schulz.
"Loafers initially came with chunky soles," says the expert, but this season's models are "classier and flatter".
Many available models sport two colours and a clasp in the middle.
Penny loafers – with a decorative, slotted leather strap across the upper big enough to hold a coin – are another option.Flat loafers go with ankle-length, straight trousers or ankle-less jeans and many Ivy League-style, sophisticated and sporty outfits.
Today's loafers are a variation of the moccasin that was popular at elite universities on the US East Coast in the 1930s – the so-called Ivy League schools. – dpa
