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Dear Reader,

I have a confession to make — I really dislike the way my feet look in sandals. No matter the pedicure and polish (or lack of polish), I get such a jumpscare every time I wear sandals and look down at my bare feet. Practically speaking, it’s great to wear sandals and flip-flops when it’s 90+ degrees out, but I’d be lying if I told you that it didn’t takea a conscious effort on my part to keep my feet exposed and not run for the hills (of ballet flats in my closet).

So, while I can appreciate and lust after sandal-forward outfits that many of my very fashionable friends wear (hello, Arielle Tylim), in reality, I have a hard time executing them. And honestly, when I do wear sandals, it feels just a tad misaligned with my personal style.

Of course, this is outfit-dependent. The other day I met up with my assistant to shoot a campaign, and afterward we grabbed coffee and bagels. After we’d finished shooting, I changed into my outfit for the day, a gorgeous cotton dress from Nuisette I was dying to wear. She saw me reach for wrap-around sandals to wear with the dress and gave me a bit of a look. I put one on, and we both realized it was a bit too on-the-nose. Quickly, I released myself from the leather straps and slipped into my tried-and-true black ballerinas. Ahhhhhh. Perfect.

The same thing happened to me last summer — I threw on a long, white, cotton dress and knew I had to style it with black ballet flats.

Wearing an old Milly dress // raffia bag via Etsy // and my old black ballet flats from The Row.

Having said that, I’ve realized that a major outfit formula for me is simply putting together an outfit and finishing it with black ballet flats. This works with almost everything. Below, I’m sharing some style inspo, a few ways I’ve styled them, and my favorite pairs available to shop.

Don’t take it from me, take it from them (the fab ladies featured in my screenshots, saved folder, and Pinterest boards).

**From top left:** Easy summer red dress with black ballet flats (source). // My dream outfit of a suede jacket with jeans and a tshirt (source). // Yeva looks perfect in an all-white set. I love shorts with black ballet flats (source). // In case you don’t already follow Barbara on IG, do it! Button-up, jeans, black ballet flats (source). // This picture of Dakota Johnson has been circulating for a few weeks, and it’s exactly my kind of summer outfit. Love the high vamp on the ballet flats (source). // All-white look with black ballet flats = classic (source). // Maxi silk dress chilled out by black ballet flats (source). // Loved how the toe of these black ballet flats is white for something different. Same color story as Barbara’s outfit above — blue denim + white top + black ballet flats + yellow sweater (source).

**From top left:** Similar to my take on a white cotton dress, just add black ballet flats and a great bag (source). // Love love love this slouchy sweatpants look, dressed up with that black ballet flat. Pretty sure I wore a variation of this a ton back in college, and need to bring it back (source). // Transitional weather outfit idea: everything still feels breezy, but looks layered. Black ballet flats finish the look (source). // Another fab outfit I screenshotted, featuring Irene!! (source). // Christy Turlington’s airport look featuring pieces we could easily wear today. Love her little ballet flats (source). // End of summer set vibes + black ballet flats (source). // What I’ll probably want to wear as soon as the weather dips here (looking like end of October). I like that the ballet flats don’t have a bow on them; it makes them a little more utilitarian (source). // Purple! And black ballet flats. Perfect (source).

Eight ways I’ve worn black ballet flats in the last year(ish). This was hard to consolidate because it turns out, I wear black ballet flats A LOT. I chose outfits that translate well into the next few months with pieces you can layer depending on the temps. Some pre-pregnancy looks, plus a few with a bump.

**Look Three:** Last summer, holding the elevator in DTLA. Wearing a boatneck LESET top (great silhouette, changes it up from a basic white crewneck tshirt) and the LESET Yoko pants, both from last year. The boatneck tshirt is no longer available, and the Yoko pants are available, but in different colors. // vintage Chanel raffia bag // old The Row flats. **Recreate Formula: long sleeve top + cotton pants + raffia bag + black ballet flats.**

**Look Four:** Another jacket worn as more of a top — this time it’s the Chore Coat from Buck Mason. // AGOLDE jeans // straw bag // Chanel ballet flats. **Recreate Formula:** **blazer buttoned-up + white jeans + raffia bag + black ballet flats.**

**Look Seven:** Earlier this week at the South Beverly Grill in LA. Old Sezane top // H&M Mama jeans // Hermes bag via Vivrelle // Chanel ballet flats. Trying to keep the same outfit formulas going while pregnant, hitting two of them here (all white outfit + black ballet flats)!! **Recreate Formula:** **monochrome white outfit + colorful bag + black ballet flats.**

**Look Eight:** On a coffee run earlier this month. Comme Si shirt // AMO 143 jeans // vintage Chanel raffia bag // Chanel ballet flats. **Recreate Formula:** **button-up + cropped jeans + raffia bag + ballet flats.**

My first recommendation will always be the classic black Chanel ballet flats. You can find them at a Chanel boutique or on resale sites. Here are a few on The Real Real (size 10.5, and size 10). I wear my true size, and stretch them out with wear.

Other than the Chanel flats, my go-tos are usually the Margaux Demi ballet flats. Such a comfortable shoe (almost feels padded?), easy to style, and looks great on the foot. Love that Margaux offers multiple widths.

Margaux recently launched a new flat style called the Pascale. The vamp is slightly higher, there’s no bow, and it’s elastacised. I wore them out this weekend for coffee, and a couple of people asked me where I got them. No-fuss, unassuming ballet flats.

These Jamie Haller ballet flats are on my radar, and I think I’ll try them after the baby comes (my feet are changing sizes by the day haha). Really drawn to this glove style.

If there’s a black ballet flat you love that I missed on this list, please let me know!

An Outfit Formula That Works Year-Round

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