The fascination with hybrid designs has brought us to the point where not only are there loud statements about combining ballet aesthetics with sports aesthetics, but there are also more and more examples of understanding this trend. A year ago, everyone involved in fashion was shaken by the news about balletcross. And this year, fashionistas are complementing their looks with a long-familiar pair in an updated format – adidas Samba sports ballet flats. And this is one of the most interesting fashion events of this spring.
Instagram @pipafdealmeida
Advertising.
The ballet flat was born in response to the modern fashionista's need for comfortable footwear that was functionally similar to sneakers, yet had a sleek silhouette reminiscent of elegant ballet flats. It was meant to be a shoe that would go with dresses and jeans as well as sportswear.
Balletcross first appeared on the fashion radar at Miu Miu, who back in 2016 proposed a rethinking of the classic perception of ballet flats, and in 2024, in the spring-summer collection, presented a new vision of the iconic shoe and launched a large-scale return of interest in the balletcore aesthetic. Later, Simone Rocha joined the trend with bold, hybrid designs and The Row – with its recognizable minimalism and commitment to quiet luxury.
Instagram @louisevgrxx
In 2026, our footwear habits will evolve and undergo transformations, and hybrid wardrobe elements will increasingly attract attention. While there were rumors about a decline in interest in sneakers, they were being reinterpreted. So, the iconic adidas Samba, which even managed to get tired of being a must-have, has received a new sound – now it is a sports ballet Mary Jane, which fashionistas are already styling with harem pants, adding to sophisticated looks with skirts and blouses and waiting for their time to shine in sports looks. So suddenly you were just thinking about investing in narrow sneakers, you can immediately go to the next level and get hold of sports ballet flats.
