Every month without fail, there's a new hyperfixation wardrobe piece in the Who What Wear UK offices. The most recent style that piqued all our editors’ interest was undoubtedly the A.Emery Jalen sandals, with four members of our team investing in a pair of the chic wrap-around strappy flats.
Perhaps there is something in the water, but this time, it’s another shoe style that’s claimed victory—and we’re loving it sick. If you’re a regular reader of our content, you’ll know that we’re talking about the Reformation Suzanne Ballet Flat.
Available in three sweet shades, the American girl in Paris-inspired shoe landed in boutiques in late March courtesy of a collaboration with the ultimate Southern Californian cool girl, Devon Lee Carlson. The Wildflower Case co-founder, influencer and burgeoning supermodel is a Los Angeleno with a wardrobe to boot. As the brand said when announcing the exclusive capsule collection: “You probably want to be best friends with Devon Lee Carlson. We can’t make that happen, but we did have her design this collection for you, which is kind of the next best thing.” They’re right, of course.
(Image credit: Reformation)
As a certified It girl, Carlson possesses this insatiable energy that makes her so approachable. And with a flair for vintage shopping, sniffing out the latest trend to covet and an ability to make anything she wears—archival milkmaid dresses and tiger-print capris alike—look good, the 30-year-old has converted over 1.5 million people into fans of her eclectically authentic personal style. I proudly count myself as one of these people, with Carlson convincing me to invest in everything from a neon green and pink floral lace Collina Strada tank with faux feathered sleeves to Sandy Liang tweed coats. So, naturally, when this collection dropped, I paid hyper attention.
The range and accompanying product imagery felt like something ripped from the pages of Sofia Coppola’s debut photo book. (Specifically, The Virgin Suicide years.) Languid and romantic, Carlson poses on carousel horses in mid-rise denim with heart-shaped pockets, lounges amongst a floral duvet cover wearing the perfect LBD and sits on a tiled bathroom basin in a graphic yellow scoop-neck t-shirt. Yes, there is a stream of pieces to yearn for, but it was the Suzanne ballet flats that stole the attention (and the hearts) of my colleagues and me.
What are the Reformation Suzanne Ballet Flats?
The Suzanne ballet flats are a French-influenced shoe featuring a “squoval” toe shape, slightly raised heel, a woven ribbon trim and a bow accent. Available in a size UK 4 – UK 9 (that’s an EU 34.5 to 42), the style is offered in three distinct colourways.
There’s my personal pick, a soft suede cornflower shade, the colour of Malibu beach, along with a warm leathery chocolate brown and a high-octane silver with pink stitching. No detail is left unconsidered, with each bow matching the fabric of the shoe, save for the metallic style, which is completed by a rosy grosgrain ribbon, and the sole lined with a dotted scalloped hem. The inner also reads a sweet message from Carlson: “XOXOXOXO”.
Style Notes: An image of Who What Wear UK's SEO Writer, Ava Gilchrist, wearing the Reformation Suzanne ballet flats in ‘Suede Mist'.
Fashion Editor Review of the Reformation Suzanne Ballet Flats
The first thing you should know about me is that I’m a ballet flat aficionado. I’m firmly anti-trainer and have never met a pair I haven’t liked. (Sneakerina’s included.) After covering the best suede ballet flats on the market, I was instantly drawn to this pair like a moth to a very velvety flame. There’s something about this texture that instantly elevates a basic look.
To me, the contrast of fabrics brings a sense of intrigue and uniqueness to an ensemble and, because of the very material itself, instantly makes you look more expensive. As soon as I slipped into this shoe I fell head over heels for it. First of all, the lining is extremely soft, reflecting the craftsmanship and integrity poured into each Reformation piece. And while the structure was quite defined, a day of walking around in them wasn’t hindered by their firm shape. In fact, I felt that my feet were cushioned and supported, even though it was like I was walking on a cloud.
Secondly, I found that each design element made everything I wore with it super premium. The woven detail was super eye-catching, especially when peaking out from underneath straight-leg jeans or worn with a simple lace mini dress.
Thirdly, despite the suede being a little finicky, they withstood London’s humidity and survived 10,000-plus steps in the office, commute on the Tube and all! From dinners to after-work drinks and brunches, I never encountered an occasion that they didn’t suit. Of course, with suede made me a little cautious around sticky floors and spillable beverages, but there are two other leather styles that will give you more anxiety-free wear.
To me, this is the style that you’d throw on for a day trotting around the city. Like Carlson, perhaps you’d stop off at your favourite cafe for an iced matcha (or in my case, a Gail’s iced dirty chai latte) before perusing your favourite independent boutiques and local retailers.
They’re the shoes you’d take out for lunch at a chic restaurant, treating it to a Diet Coke and Caesar Salad after a long day of shopping. They’re also the style you’d wear to a first date—perhaps a movie?—not worrying if they’d get slightly marred by popcorn salt or droplets of soft drink purely because you feel so confident in them.
Shop the Reformation Suzanne Ballet Flat
Reformation
Suzanne Ballet Flat
Product Description: These feel like they've just stepped out of Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe. Make note of the soft curves and neat hidden details like the lace-inspired lining.
Sizes: UK 4.5 – UK 9
Colours: Three, suede mist, chestnut leather and silver.
Pros
- The hues are quite neutral despite being bold on paper—a true Devon Lee Carlson quality—meaning they can be easily substituted into tried-and-tested silhouettes to bring a more intriguing element to your looks.
Cons
- They're certainly a city shoe, meaning I'd avoid wearing them to the beach, countryside or parklands.
Are the Reformation Suzanne Ballet Flats Worth It?
Ok, so here’s the catch, for £248, the pair certainly costs you a pretty penny. For the same price, you could buy a pair of the brand’s coveted satin trousers or even two new sweet gingham tops to serve you through summer. If you are in the market to spend nearly £300 on shoes, I would argue that these are worth the investment purely on versatility alone.
The colours are quite classic and timeless, meaning that they won’t fall out of favour and can be easily paired with existing items in your wardrobe. There’s also something so charming and enchanting about them that makes me feel like I’m a film protagonist when wearing them, imagining myself having just stepped out of Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Before Sunset. Who can put a price tag on having main character energy?
How to Style The Reformation Suzanne Ballet Flats
While Carlson's style could be summed up as sexy girl next door with a Y2K twist, I would say my own tastes lean towards a more preppy and 90s lens. I went for a more classic look when styling the Reformation Suzanne ballet flats, namely, contrasting the pale blue colour with a polka dot dress from Rèalisation Par and a butter yellow wool blazer from Australian brand Friends with Frank.
I've also worn them out with barrel leg jeans and a ruffle front lace shirt, which has looked equally premium. Of course, you can always take notes from the Alexa Chung school of ballet flat wearing them with billowing dresses that fall to the calf. The glass slipper hue also made me feel like my own personal Cinderella. Except this time, this fashion princess didn't have to ditch them once the clock struck midnight…
Shop the Reformation Suzanne Ballet Flats
Reformation
Suzanne Ballet Flat
If you haven't guessed already, this baby blue suede iteration is my favourite.
Reformation
Suzanne Ballet Flat
However, I am slowly but surely falling in love with this silver and pink pair. They feel very The OC meets Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century and are tugging right on my nostalgic heartstrings. Is two pairs too many?
Reformation
Suzanne Ballet Flat
Of course, you can't pass up a classic pair of chocolate brown. Muted and pared-back dressers will love this minimalist style. As the saying goes, a lady can never have too many shoes.
Shop More Reformation Ballet Flats:
Reformation
Bethany Ballet Flat
This classic black pair feels slightly grunge-inspired thanks to the metal rivets and Mary Jane straps.
Reformation
Britt Ballet Flat
Reformation
Paulina Ballet Flat
This light blush hue in the lattice style is another sophisticated take.
Reformation
Prudence Ballet Flat
Reformation
Tilly Ballet Flat
Reformation
Talia Ballet Flat
How sweet is this bow strap accent.
Reformation
Bethany Ballet Flat
Perfect for evenings out.
How to Take Care of Your Reformation Suzanne Ballet Flats
Naturally, the Who What Wear UK team members who were interested in purchasing the shoe themselves only had one question for me when I bought the suede iteration: How are you going to keep it clean? London's inclination for rain, the grimy floors of the underground and my own predisposition for scuffing is a recipe for disaster when it comes to maintaining the quality of the Suzanne ballet flats.
But it's nothing a spritz of suede cleaner can't handle. At your local cobbler or on Amazon, simply search for a high-quality suede cleaner and spray it over your shoes before their first outing, and you're good to go. You'll scratch the sole a bit as you wear them in, but that's just the cost you have to pay for keeping suede clean. Of course, if you purchase the other iterations, the upkeep is far less intense. Simply wipe down with a clean cloth when dirtied and apply your favourite leather balm to ensure a supple and box-fresh feeling.
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
We regularly try pieces ourselves, everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
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