8 Designer Flat Shoes That Are Worth Investing In
Given my job (and my shoe obsession), I spend a lot of time thinking about and looking at designer shoes, and at some point down the line, I came to the conclusion that designer flats are the best shoe investment. I tend to wear my flat shoes the most, no matter the season, and since I choose carefully, I wear my designer flats for years, making them a worthy investment.
Because I love to talk about shoes, I’m here to share my list of iconic designer flats that are smart investments and bona fide outfit improvers. Some on this list have been around for years and will probably come as no surprise, while others are newer on the scene but are instant icons that will stand the test of time. Scroll on to shop these beloved designer flats if you’re ready to add a pair of shoes you’ll wear countless times to your wardrobe.
Maison Margiela Tabi Ballet Flats
Maison Margiela Tabi Ballet Flats are undoubtedly quirky, but that doesn’t take away from their timelessness. (It’s worth noting that the Tabis were first released in the late 1980s. The instantly recognizable split-toe flats are the cool girl’s dream ballerinas.
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Maison Margiela
Tabi Split-Toe Leather Ballet Flats
Maison Margiela
Tabi Ballerina Flats
Maison Margiela
Brown Tabi Ballerina Flats
Loro Piana Rebecca Flats
With their sleek almond toe and smooth leather, Loro Piana’s Rebecca flats are the kind of low-key luxury everyone is craving in 2024 (and forever). They’re the grown-up ballet flats you’ll reach for time and time again.
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Loro Piana
Rebecca Calfskin Ballerina Flats
Loro Piana
Rebecca Cap-Toe Ballet Flats
Loro Piana
Rebecca Leather Ballet Flats
Miu Miu Penny Loafers
There are many great Miu Miu flats on the market, but the Penny Loafers are the subtle style that you don’t realize are wildly popular. The gold “penny” and tonal logo set them apart.
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Miu Miu
Suede Penny Loafers
Miu Miu
Mixed Media Penny Loafers
Alaïa Ballerina Flats
Alaïa’s Ballerina Flats are everywhere right now, but they’re so good that they’re impossible to get sick of. Each new iteration the brand releases is even better than the last. Please never stop making them, Alaïa.
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Alaïa
Mesh Mary Jane Flats
Alaïa
Crystal-Embellished Leather Ballet Flats
Alaïa
Criss Cross Patent Leather Ballet Flats
Tory Burch Pierced Slingbacks
Tory Burch’s line of pierced shoes are so special, elegant, and cool. My jaw dropped the first time I saw them and I continue to covet them in every color. It’s hardware done right.
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Tory Burch
Pierced Slingbacks in Perfect Black
Tory Burch
Pierced Slingbacks in Red
Tory Burch
Pierced Slingbacks in Cream Corn
The Row Mary Janes
The Row’s Ava Mary Janes and newer Boheme style (that has a more elongated toe) played a big part in the recent resurgence of Mary Janes. Just like everything The Row makes, they’re simple and elevated, and will never look dated.
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The Row
Leather Mary Jane Ballet Flats
The Row
Boheme Mary Janes
The Row
Ava Leather Ballet Flats
Gucci Jordaan Loafers
The OG designer loafers are Gucci’s Jordaan Loafers, with the iconic horsebit detail and pared-down look. They’re made of the softest leather ever, and I’ve walked miles in them sans-blisters.
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Gucci
Jordaan Loafers in Rosso Ancora
Gucci
Jordaan Horsebit-Detailed Leather Loafers in Black
Gucci
Jordaan Horsebit-Detailed Suede Loafers in Sand
Chanel Ballet Flats
Last but not least, the ballet flats to end all ballet flats. Even before they were wildly trendy, Chanel’s ballerinas were one of the most coveted shoes on the planet. I don’t expect that to ever change.
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Chanel
2024 Interlocking CC Logo Ballet Flats
Chanel
Cloth Ballet Flats
Chanel
Cambon Leather Ballet Flats