THEY were the ‘off-duty’ look for stars in the Noughties – and now the ballet pump has been given a pastel twist for 2026.
You may remember Kate Moss and Alexa Chung leading the charge amongst the fashion elite when it came to the flat shoes.
With their versatility, the ballet pump looked just as good with jeans and a tee or a slip dress.
And now Primark has given the footwear a colourful glow up just in time for the warmer months.
So if you are looking for the perfect summer shoe, you may want to hit the high street.
The budget retailer has brought out a gorgeous ballet pump that looks ideal for days out or holidays.
The Bow Ballerina Pumps feature solid toe caps and bow details – and they’re a bargain at just £6.
They come in two pastel shades, pale pink and butter yellow, and are available in sizes 2-9.
And shoppers are already snapping them up for the upcoming season.
Posting on the Bargain Lovers Facebook group, which boasts 1.2m members, one fashion fan claimed: “The cutest ballet flats just landed at Primark, perfect for spring outfits.”
Another shopper agreed: “The cutest shoes in Primark for spring. So easy to style!! With jeans and cute tops & cardigans, or long maxi skirts etc”
“OMGGGGGGG I HAVE TO GO”, cried a third.
A fourth added: “I got them and they are so cute!!”
And a fifth chimed in: “Love these colours might have to treat myself.”
But should we be wearing them?
It is undeniable that the ballet flat is one of the least foot-friendly shoes out there.
It is notorious for its wafer-thin sole and a lack of support which podiatrists say can lead to foot cramps, as well as knee and hip pain, because of the lack of shock absorption.
Emma McConnachie, of the Royal College of Podiatry, says: “They tend to have very thin, flat soles and have no support or method of staying on the foot. They also often have soles that do not cover the width of the foot.
“As they have nothing across the top of the foot, the tendency is to claw your toes to keep them on your feet.
“In the short-term this can cause blisters and corns and long-term can cause your toes to claw and change shape.”
But if you’re determined to add ballet pumps to your 2026 wardrobe, she adds: “If you really like the appearance of a ballet flat, look for a pair that has a thicker, cushioned sole and that isn’t very narrow across the arch.
“Avoid the ones that look like they have a cardboard, glued-on sole similar to the outline of a footprint.”
Fashion editor reveals the 90s trends that should stay in the past
NINETIES and noughties trends especially have become a hit with Gen Z – most likely because they didn’t wear them the first time round. Here, Fashion Editor Abby McHale gives the rundown of some of the trends that have made a comeback that we wish did not.
Disc belts
“A hit with celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Blake Lively, the belt itself did nothing that a belt should actually do – it was a mere fashion statement, not a piece to actually hold anything up.
“And it seems it’s not just me who is enraged by its return, with many taking to TikTok to give their views, saying: ‘Oh no not the disc belt! I don’t think I have the energy for it a 2nd time around’ – I feel you.”
Jelly shoes
“After not being seen on shelves for decades, they’ve made a reappearance and this time they’re not just for kids.
“Coming in a range of colourful patterns, you can get them all over the high street in either flat or heeled versions.
“Not only will you look very childish wearing such shoes, but people will also need to learn that they aren’t the comfiest – blister plasters will come in handy.”
Pedal pushers
“The cropped knee-grazing trouser were all the rage in the 1990s and 2000s, but this time the model fash pack are all over them – with both Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski wearing them out recently.
“The original IT girls, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot helped make the trousers – also called Capri pants – look effortlessly cool and glam.
“Somehow this time round they don’t seem to be having that same effect.”
