There is no escaping the ballet flat this spring. The chic, French-girl staple that took over our shoe collections in the early aughts is now appearing in TikTok feeds and on runways. But, thanks to Ganni, the basic ballet flat has been given a Copenhagen edge with studs, spikes, buckles, and bling aplenty. It’s safe to say studded ballet flats are now a fashion fan favorite.
So, of course, we were hooked — although the popularity of the style may mean they fly off shelves before we can secure a pair of our own. Luckily, thanks to Ganni's influence, buckled and studded ballet flats have been given the green light across the fashion industry, with a handful of other popular brands starting to bling up the simple shoe. Keep scrolling to discover our favorite adorned ballet flat finds from Free People, Reformation, Dear Frances, and more.
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The OG buckled ballet flat is, of course, incredibly popular — so much so that getting your hands on a pair may not be an easy task. Crafted from calf leather with a pointed toe, two buckles, and a slingback rear, they’re certainly an upgrade from the basic ballet flat. To break away from black, you may want to go for red, white, or snakeskin if you're feeling daring.
Ganni White Wide Welt Buckle Ballerinas, $, available at GanniImage Courtesy of Ganni
Dear Frances Balla Flat Crystals, Large Black
This highly embellished pair is a glitzy take on Dear Frances' chic mesh ballet flats, which have won the hearts of several R29 editors. While they are a luxury buy, the quality and delicate nature of these shoes are second to none, and guaranteed to garner compliments for years to come.
Dear Frances Balla Crystals, Large Black, $, available at Dear Frances
Free People Mystic Mary Jane Flats
Free People is always a great place to find luxe-looking pieces at an affordable price, and the brand doesn’t disappoint when it comes to striking shoes. Making a case for Mary Janes, this soft leather style has been instantly upgraded with rounded silver studs across both the shoe and the strap. For those tempted by the trend yet not too fond of OTT types, this could be a great place to start.
FP Collection Mystic Mary Jane Flats, $, available at Free People
Steve Madden Vinetta Flat
Made from faux leather, the shoes are slightly shiny with flat silver studs and a delicate strap across the top of the foot. If you’re after the Fashion Week look on a budget, this is certainly the pair I’d pick up.
Steve Madden Vinetta Flat, $, available at Revolve
Reformation Bethany Ballet Flat
More like a Mary Jane, these Reformation shoes certainly look both functional and fashionable. Playing with a more classic ballet pump shape, the supple leather has a soft, round-toe curve sharpened up with silver studs that sit around the outside, while an oversized buckle adds extra interest.
Reformation Bethany Ballet Flat, $, available at ReformationImage Courtesy of Reformation
Sam Edelman Michaela Stud Mary Jane Flat
If you're looking for a bedazzled moment, this Sam Edelman pair makes studs the standout star. Completely covered in rounded metallic-shaded embellishments, they really are a pick for those who buy into bling, instantly livening up any outfit, from a simple pair of jeans to an all-black co-ord. (They also come in white and red, if that's more your speed.)
Sam Edelman MICHAELA STUD MARY JANE FLAT, $, available at Sam Edelman
Pull & Bear Ballet Flats With Studded Buckles
Breaking up the sea of black, this wonderful red style is rather striking. Leaning more into the buckle trend than studs, one long wraparound strap sits across the front, holding the shoe in place while creating a standout style.
Pull & Bear BALLET FLATS WITH STUDDED BUCKLES, $, available at Pull & Bear
Stradivarius Ballet Flats With Studded Straps
A basic fabric ballet pump gets an edge from two silver studded cross-straps covering the top of the foot. They're not only chic and simple, but they also come at a purse-friendly price.
Stradivarius cross strap ballet shoe in black, $, available at ASOS
Alaïa Leather Mary Jane Flats With Allover Studs
On the luxury side of the trend, these Maje pumps certainly add a punk-like vibe to the basic ballet flat. With studs adorning the soft white leather, they’re incredibly stylish yet still simple in shape. Again, they’re selling out rather rapidly, so if this is the pair that catches your eye, be sure to act fast.
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With its functionality and heat-retaining qualities, the puffer coat is a staple of practical cold-weather style. Yet, despite being a savior during snow and frosty temperatures, the puffy jacket is still a styling mystery. If you layer it too much, you’ll end up looking like the Michelin Man. If you just throw it on and go, the outfit will be as bland as butterless toast.
As a Caribbean-born East Coast resident who continues to despise the cold, I’ve long been trying to perfect my puffer coat styling. Having rejected the idea of owning one for so many years (mainly because I just found it ugly), it’s now become a trusty armor in the battle for winter style, as well as colder-than usual-spring days, which I regularly reach for during the February seasonal slump.
Thankfully, the fall/winter 2023 runways and designers like Gabriela Hearst and 3.1 Phillip Lim offered chicer takes on the style, including maxi-length quilted coats and cinched-waist versions Meanwhile, the street style during the latest edition of New York Fashion Week, which had extreme weather changes from spring-like days to a snowstorm, was a display of shiny puffers, blazers worn over quilted vests, and nylon jackets paired with flouncy skirts.
Ahead, all the best ways to style a puffer coat that are actually fashionable.
Puffer Coat Styling Idea: Add A Skirt
A skirt isn’t necessarily anyone’s first instinct when it comes to cold-weather dressing, which is why this contrast works so well. Call it the “Wrong Bottom Theory,” if you will. For this outfit, I chose a fitted slip skirt that balances out the shapeless look of the puffer jacket, pairing it with elevated accessories, including knee-high boots and a chain mini bag. While it may be a dressy outfit, the puffer (which can be layered with a long-sleeved top underneath) keeps the look casual, making it ideal for work, too.
Puffer Coat Styling Idea: Lean Into Athleisure
I reach for my puffer coat when the cold-weather sartorial fog hits so hard I can’t be bothered with styling an outfit. And that is okay. Moments like these are ideal for leaning into the sporty nature of the puffer coat. To tune up the outfit, I added a tailored wide-leg pant, giving a nice contrast to the sneakers, as well as a leather slouchy bag.
Puffer Coat Styling Idea: Wear It Under A Blazer
People have long worn hoodies under blazers; why not use a puffer as a layering piece, too? Granted this needs to meet a few criteria: Your puffer needs to be hooded and thin, while the blazer has to be extra oversized. The buttoned blazer adds an elevated twist to an otherwise sporty outfit that can be worn with jeans or even a skirt, as shown above.
Puffer Coat Styling Idea: Pair It With Wide Leg Jeans
Wide-leg jeans are one of the year’s biggest denim trends, and the perfect piece to balance out the Michelin Man-level of volume that comes with a puffer jacket. For this outfit, I opted for a white pair, making the black-and-white combo a good canvas for a pop of color in the form of Mary Jane heels. A key part of this styling tip is to not be afraid of volume on the jeans — the wider, the better.
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We all know and love Uniqlo for its sleek and simple clothing and accessories. Japanese casual wear is always fashionable but nearly never trendy (which is not a diss, by the way — all the cool kids wear Uniqlo and its many collabs). The classic pieces are the building blocks of a high-quality, long-lasting wardrobe. And that’s even more true for the brand’s LifeWear collection, a range of elevated everyday essentials, which has just been refreshed via a second sought-after collaboration with British designer Clare Waight Keller.
Waight Keller previously designed for luxury brands Chloé and Givenchy (and was the latter’s first-ever female artistic director), held positions at Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein, and was named British Designer of the Year in 2018 at the British Fashion Awards. If all that isn’t impressive enough, Waight Keller was also the designer who created Meghan Markle’s iconic wedding dress. To put it simply, she’s put her stamp all over the fashion industry, and recently, she’s been focusing on Uniqlo.
In September 2023, Waight Keller first became the designer of Uniqlo : C, a womenswear collection within Uniqlo LifeWear. Both the prior Fall/Winter 2023 drop (which R29 readers ate up and helped sell out, according to our anonymous shopping data) and the new Spring/Summer 2024 drop are full of effortlessly modern pieces that prioritize comfort and functionality. “In this second collection for UNIQLO : C, I wanted to explore the concept of movement through lightness,” Waight Keller said in a statement, adding, “Fluidity and freshness were key elements of the spirit.”
Uniqlo : C’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection launches globally today, February 22, both in-store and online, and we anticipate that the pieces are going to sell out just as quickly as they did the last time. If you didn’t get to cop a Clare Waight Keller x Uniqlo original the last time, here’s your second chance to hop on the new collection, which you can shop now below!
What’s in the new Uniqlo : C collection?
The Spring/Summer 2024 collection features 35 items across separates, outerwear, dresses, bags, and shoes, all designed to be layering staples for the capsule wardrobe of our dreams. “I think that Spring represents a time of transition where the seasons change, and our wardrobes need the same flexibility. I love the mix between tailored and relaxed styles,” Waight Keller explained.
Each piece comes in a range of neutrals with the occasional pops of blue, green, red (which, as we know, is a trending color for 2024), and abstract prints. The versatile collection also holds some “office siren” workwear, casual baseball caps, and an oversized, faux leather version of the brand’s round mini shoulder bag, which we’re personally very excited about. Scroll on for a closer look at the launch.
Layering isn’t only for the winter. It’s the perfect solution for that weird in-between spring weather, and we just know you won’t want to take off any of Uniqlo : C’s lightweight, transitional outerwear once you put them on. Check out long statement styles, like the cotton twill trench coat — which was a massive hit in the last drop — and cropped drawstring and belted jackets for everyday wear.
The fluid silhouettes in this collection are best showcased through its dresses and skirts. Whether you opt for the sheer pleated fabrics or crinkled crepe jersey, each material has a lightness, and drape to it that produces effortlessly ethereal looks. Whether you’re in the mood for an upgraded pencil skirt or a not-so-basic cami dress, Uniqlo : C has it for you.
This collection is full of elevated basics, especially the tops. There’s a little bit of everything, from refined T-shirts and knitted sweater vests to flowy button-downs and lace-like cardigans. Layer up the sheer blouse with the knit vest or one of the many cropped T-shirts with the checked button-down worn open, and you’ve got yourself a look.
Similar to the previous collection, this drop too focuses on wide-leg styles. So if you’re in need of a wide-leg work pant (our personal preference for the office) or trendy wide-leg jeans (our personal preference for late-night hangouts) in light, dark, or spring-y blush pink washes, Uniqlo : C features a small but mighty selection to peruse.
Waight Keller’s oversized, faux leather take on Uniqlo’s mini round shoulder bag is back again for this second drop, but this time, it’s also accompanied by another bag. The faux leather puffy bag is the slightly more elevated and elegant option, while still being modern and playful. The collection also includes classic and versatile loafers, the perfect white sneaker, and plaid baseball caps to keep the springtime sun out of your eyes.
