How to Style the Ballerina Shoe Trend

Thanks to the runways of Valentino, Céline, Acne Studios, and more, the dancer trend has caught on in a big way this season. The beauty of it is that it's a feminine way to do athleisure, which is refreshing for those of us who would rather wear a skirt than track pants.

But if you don't want to look like you're dressed up as a ballerina for Halloween (although it would be convenient this year…) or like you're actually going to dance class, there are certain styling rules to follow. The tentpole of the trend, ballerina shoes, are an easy way to give the trend a try.

If you want to avoid the full-blown dancer look, take your cues from the stylish street style examples below. Skip the tulle, wrap sweaters, and pink, and instead opt for masculine-inspired pieces and denim. Or, if you prefer something a little girlier, wear a printed maxi dress or skirt. Keep the rest of your look effortless and casual, and your pretty ballerina shoes will be all the more of a standout, just as they fully deserve to be.

Scroll down to study up on our ballerina shoe styling tips, and shop the very best ballerina shoes on the market at the end!

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(Image credit: Sandra Semburg)

Pair them with a shirtdress. 

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Shop them off with a pair of cropped denim flares.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage )

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

A bohemian maxi dress is the perfect trend to combine with ballerina shoes.

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

Make a surprising statement by wearing them with something casual and comfortable.

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

A masculine shirt and jeans is a no-brainer combination with the feminine shoes.

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

Combine them with other statement accessories for maximum impact. 

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(Image credit: Style Du Monde )

A duster jacket plus ballet flats is a very F/W 16 look. 

Shop our favorite ballerina shoes:

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.