Seen in Tribeca and Beverly Hills: The 2025 Styles of Ballet Flats Sported by Gen Z It Girls

      Gen Z Says is a bimonthly column that explores the newest trends in fashion and beauty as seen through the perspectives of Who What Wear’s Gen Z editors. Readers can expect insights on the upcoming wave of trendsetters, fresh designers, and style and shopping choices directly from the generation spearheading these innovations.

      If you’ve come across a recent celebrity street style roundup, you’ve likely seen it as well: Ballet flats are making a comeback—but not the understated versions your mom sported at work in 2006. I’m referring to shiny, patent Repetto styles that are popping up everywhere, from coffee outings in Tribeca to shopping sprees in Beverly Hills, worn by every Gen Z It girl who knows how to attract the paparazzi. There’s a certain joyful irony in this return. Once the shining star of mid-2000s fashion, who could forget the iconic era of Tory Burch Reva? The sound of those metallic medallions echoing through high school and college hallways? Fast forward twenty years, and the new generation is reinterpreting this shoe, styling it with a playful irreverence that only Gen Z can embody.

      Repetto, the quintessential French ballet brand adored by fashion icons like Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn, has subtly had a resurgence as the hot label of the moment. Its glossy patent flats are being worn by figures such as Kaia Gerber, Olivia Rodrigo, and other off-duty style icons who combine them with everything from relaxed jeans to micro miniskirts. This trend leans more towards reinvention than mere nostalgia—the same shoes but styled with newfound confidence, updated context, and an understanding wink that suggests, yes, we're aware this look was prominent in your Facebook albums, but we’re making it significantly cooler this time around.

      Below are the ways Gen Z is styling their timeless ballet flats for a modern TikTok 'fit check.

      **With Baggy Jeans**

      One of Gen Z’s preferred ways to wear their classic ballet flats is by teaming them with a legendary option: a great pair of jeans. This combination feels effortlessly harmonious—the soft, romantic essence of ballet flats meets the comfortable, well-worn denim. When it comes to denim, Levi’s has always been the brand of choice for young Hollywood. This American classic has persisted as a staple for decades, with It girls frequently choosing its relaxed, baggy styles whether they're out running errands, traveling, or preparing for Paris Fashion Week. This look showcases that the best fashion statements are often the simplest, as these classics get a refreshed twist.

      **With Skirts**

      Another favorite pairing for Gen Z’s ballet flats? Skirts in every length, fabric, and color. From sleek pencil skirts fitting for the office to polka-dotted asymmetrical styles, the combination of skirts and ballet flats feels both nostalgic and fresh. While the look might seem too traditionally "feminine," Gen Z stars are choosing fun prints and redefined silhouettes that transform their outfits from balletcore to sophisticated cool. Icons like Olivia Rodrigo and Kaia Gerber have all been seen wearing their skirts with Repetto ballet flats. This trend proves that ballet flats are not merely experiencing a revival—they are embarking on a new chapter led by a generation that knows how to make a classic feel brand new.

      **Shopping Inspiration**

      - **Levi's:** Low Loose Women's Jeans

      - **Repetto:** Cendrillon Ballet Flats

      - **Levi's:** Baggy Dad Barrel Women's Jeans

      - **H&M:** Double-Waistband Pencil Skirt

      - **Sandy Liang:** Lucy Skirt in Navy

      - **Miu Miu:** Satin Bow Ballerina Flats

      - **Le Monde Béryl:** Claudia Suede Ballet Flats

      - **The Row:** Leather Square Ballet Flats

      - **Gap:** Vegan Suede Ballet Flats

      - **Mansur Gavriel:** Square Toe Ballerina

      - **Tory Burch:** Eddie Ballet in Blue

      - **J.Crew:** Quinn Ballet Flats in Calf Hair