Ballet Heels and How to Style Them

The ballet heel borrows the soft, low-cut shape of a ballet flat and adds a small heel, and versions range from glove-like pumps to two-tone cap toes. It looks right with almost everything. Herbert Levine's red velvet bow pumps, Manolo Blahnik's orange satin Caulon pumps, Jimmy Choo's ivory lace Faiz pumps and Saint Laurent's black crepe Goya slingbacks show how far the idea can stretch.

The purest version is soft, low and a little bit romantic. Herbert Levine's burgundy gathered Gather Around pumps and Loewe's white Dive slingbacks both suit Dôen's floral lace-trimmed Elowette skirt and Guest in Residence's yellow striped Jane cardigan.

A low-cut pump with tailored trousers is the office version. Neous's light brown Tasha pumps or Zimmermann's black patent Astor pumps pair with Max Mara's burgundy Slalom trousers and Tove's black double-breasted Hero blazer.

A slingback makes the look lighter, especially with jeans. Stella McCartney's dark green croc-effect slingbacks and Aeyde's chocolate suede Annora slingback flats both work with Agolde's light 90's Pinch Waist jeans and Skall's white striped Cilla shirt.

For evening, satin and velvet make the shoe the point. Aquazzura's black velvet and satin Shadow pumps and Gianvito Rossi's burgundy satin Sofia slingbacks sit under Fforme's gunmetal draped Imogen maxi, and Bottega Veneta's red Lauren 1980 clutch adds colour.

Loeffler Randall, Herbert Levine and Christian Louboutin add ballet heels with a bow, a strap or a slim toe. A thin ankle strap keeps the foot secure.

A test I trust: stand on one foot in the hallway once the box arrives. If the heel cup slips, the shoe will wear you out by lunch. A low-cut topline needs a snug heel more than a tall heel does.

What I would skip: a scrunched satin pair for a day of walking. Save those for dinner and wear the leather ones to work.

Ballet heels are the compromise many people have been looking for, dressier than a flat and easier than a stiletto. If you take one thing away, let it be that the lower the heel and the softer the shape, the more often you will wear them. A kitten heel in leather or suede works with jeans, trousers and skirts alike. We would skip very high versions in delicate lace or satin unless you have a specific event in mind, since they lose the ease that makes the style appealing. Look for a padded footbed and a snug fit at the heel. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Alaia Shoes and Brown Heels.