What I found: Buttery-soft ballet flats that don’t need breaking in.

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The ballerina flat trend is back and I’m totally hooked! I’ve seen them on stylish celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Meghan Markle, and I saw them on the runway last spring, so it was only a matter of time before I got a pair. You can never have too many comfortable work shoes, and I prefer flats over heels. My first ballet flats, which I bought years ago, had a bow and a round toe, so I wanted to try a different silhouette. I’ve had my eye on Madewell’s Greta Ballet Flats ($98) and love that they have a built-in mary jane strap. Another shoe trend that’s back! So I decided to give them a try.

What I love about Madewell’s Greta ballet flats

I’d be remiss if I didn’t immediately dive into the buttery-soft feel of these shoes. The leather is incredibly supple, and I couldn’t stop stroking the shoes on display while I waited for the salesperson to find my size. I’ve tried on many ballet flats of this style from different brands, and I quickly found that the elastic straps would dig into the top of my foot or the back of the shoe would dig into my heel. These shoes were immediately comfortable and didn’t require a laborious break-in period.

Besides the chafe-free fit, there are a few little details in this shoe’s design that I really love. The shoes feature a squared-off toe and slightly rounded edges, which make them feel fresh and timeless at the same time. The toes are longer than my natural toe length (very ballerina-ish!), which helps keep my legs from looking short and chunky. There’s also a little peek of cleavage at the toes, which again creates an optical illusion, making my legs appear longer and slimmer. These seemingly small details help set this style apart from other similar pairs that I tried on but ended up not bringing home.

What to Look Out for in Madewell’s Greta Ballet Flats

The Greta ballet flat comes in 15 different styles, from open weave leather to brightly colored suede, and the flexibility and comfort of the shoe will vary depending on the material you choose. I opted for the best-selling leather version of the flat, so I can’t speak to how other styles will feel. Madewell recommends ordering a half size smaller than your normal size to allow for the natural stretch that comes with genuine leather. I went for my usual size, which felt the most comfortable and I didn’t want to take the risk because I was worried about blisters. I’ve worn them a few times and so far they’re fine.

Madewell also warns customers that “due to unlined construction, wrinkling and distortion may occur.” I don’t actually mind. I think the natural patina that occurs with genuine leather is part of the charm, but if that scares you, opt for the lined version. If you bought the first version of these flats and were not satisfied, Madewell published a warning that “early versions of this shoe had a defective lining, which has been fixed in all new shipments.”

Who are Madewell’s Greta ballet flats best for?

These flats are perfect for those who like to be on the cutting edge of fashion, but still want a classic silhouette that never goes out of style. Try them out if you’re looking for a comfortable pair of soft leather flats that can be worn with everything from skirts to barrel jeans.

Additional information about Madewell’s Greta ballet flats

Where can I buy Madewell’s Greta ballet flats?

You can purchase these flats at Nordstrom and Madewell.

evaluation:
★★★★★

Angela Elias is a Contributing Editor for PS Shopping. In her previous role at PS, she led the relaunch of the Latinx identity and family verticals, oversaw the home department, and hosted the shopping segment. She has nearly 15 years of experience in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.