The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own-#3 - Ballet Flats

The Niven Collection-Bring Me Spring Ballet Flats (NEW IN THE STORE TODAY!!)

Ballet flats are derived from a woman's soft ballet slipper, with a very thin heel or the appearance of no heel at all. The style usually features a ribbon-like binding around the low tops of the slipper and may have a slight gathering at the top-front of the shoe and a tiny, decorative string tie. 

The essence of the ballet flat has existed since at least the 16th century, in which men wore a similar shoe, then known as pompes. In medieval times ballet flats were popular with both men and women. They only came out of fashion in the 17th and 18th centuries when the high-heeled shoe came into fashion after Catherine de' Medici requested that her cobbler add two inches to her wedding shoes. Heels went out of fashion quickly after Marie Antoinette walked to the guillotine in a pair of heels. 

The Orginals - Classic, Elegant, Sleek....PINK!!

When Rose Repetto created her first ballet shoes in her workshop on the Rue de la Paix in 1956, she was looking for refinement and elegance. Repetto's famous ballet flats, inspired by demi-pointe dancing shoes, have become legendary all over the world thanks to the fame of their illustrious owners, and to the stitch and return technique defined since the start of the tradition. Today the production of each shoe remains completely traditional and is surrounded with various quality controls. Just like every precious object, they are produced in limited edition.

Ballet flats took off again when Audrey Hepburn wore them with skinny jeans in Funny Face in 1957. Ballet flats are popular with girls and women of all ages. They are also a great alternative to heels, and they are seen with many tweens and teens at school dances and proms instead of heels.

Perfect With Jeans Or a Cute Sundress!!

My RL pick is London Sole's Harriet Ballet Flat.  

They come in a wide range of color combinations, some with contrasting grosgrain or metallic trims. 

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