The ballet flats we saw everyone wearing in Madrid

I recently traveled to Madrid, and while I fully expected great outfit inspiration (after all, it is the most fashion-forward Spanish city), I didn’t expect to see a specific shoe style on every foot. But it happened. I first saw a pair while going out to dinner, and then the next night, I saw Spanish girls wearing them. Finally, I saw them in the lobby of my hotel. It was more than a coincidence, but people had a priority in this walkable city. Call me impressed.

They were soft, almost slipper-like, with subtle heels and a higher than usual vamp. There was enough structure to make them feel intentional, and they were styled with everything from breezy dresses to long trench coats. Once I learned that every nice girl in town had these, I went down a little shopping rabbit hole and picked out the best pairs on the internet.

As seen on celebs:

What makes them different is how hateful they are. No bulky hardware, no overly rounded toes — just a streamlined silhouette that looks polished without trying too hard. those are those types of shoes Work just as well with jeans and a tank as they do with a slip dress at night, which explains why I saw them literally everywhere.