What’s the verdict? Ballet trainers

Fisherman sandals, platform loafers, biker boots, animal print runners, boat shoes, kitten heels, clogs — the statement-making shoe of the moment is, more often than not, reflective of where we’re at in the ever-spinning and perpetually repeating trend cycle.

So where, pray tell, has this ballet/trainer hybrid come from exactly? At first I thought they looked like an elegant ballerina and a substitute PE teacher had run into each other really fast, but on closer inspection I found myself leaning into their kind-of-ugly quality, imagining how one might style them and where one might get a pair.

Essentially, they’ve got all the coquette-core femininity of the ballet flat style, with the edge and comfortability of a sports shoe. Styles vary from Mary Jane clasps to lace-ups, velcro and elasticated straps, and the colourways stretch from the old school navy to the oh-so current metallic silver.

Before the mainstream trend took hold, Simone Rocha unveiled her spring/summer 2021 collection that included a chunkier take on the ballet trainers we’re seeing today. She described the style as “a clash of the ballet pump with a more ergonomic technical shoe” and its tickle-down effect has been pretty monumental.

Cecilie Bahnsen’s Asics collaboration in 2022 was also a precursor to what British Vogue declared ‘The Sneakerfication Of Everything’, wherein fashion journalist Daniel Rodgers posited that “the intersection of ugliness and cool has simply become… convention.” Of her Asics collab, Bahnsen said at the time that it was “an intuitive exploration of contrasts, weaving together the grace of a ballet flat with the technical functionality of a sneaker.”

Another collaboration, this time from Onitsuka Tiger and French brand Patou saw a remodelled version of the classic ‘90s streetwear staple, Mexico 66, become a best-seller, and now Chloë Sevigny has become the face of Ecco’s spring-summer 2025 campaign, sporting a pair of lace-up chunky ballet trainers.

Are we ready to plié into the ‘Sneakerina’ trend? I asked the cream of the Irish styling crop to give their two cents…

IMAGE Media’s contributing fashion editor Sinéad Keenan:

“The moment I saw the original Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS collaboration, I knew I was hooked. A perfect fusion of form and function, the ballerina trainer blends the delicate elegance of a ballet slipper with the comfort and ergonomics of a performance sneaker.

I’ve always leaned into a feminine aesthetic, but what I love most is that this silhouette isn’t overly girlie—it’s refined, modern, and endlessly wearable. The ballerina sneaker provides a stylish edge to a pretty summer dress, but also in contrast can soften a more androgynous look like tailoring or denim. It’s a yes from me!”

Stylist Eoin Gavin:

“In this era of comfort and experimentation, I think the ballet trainer is such a cool concept for the summer. You get the best of both worlds: a chic ballet shoe that’s easy to pair with your wardrobe and the practicality of a trainer. What’s not to like? This is a shoe I would love to wear if there are any size 12s out there!”

Stylist and slow fashion designer Ríon Hannora:

“I have always been a fan of casual ballet pumps. I used to dance ballet as a teenager and now looking back I think I was purely in it for the outfits. (My ballet skills were sub par, to say the least). The sporty femme look is right up my alley. Having a glam shoe that you can run around in is all I ever need.”

Personal stylist Kara O’Sullivan:

“I’m here for the ballet trainer, sorry not sorry! I think it’s a super cute way to make trainers more feminine and chic. As someone who opts for walking as my main mode of transport, I do find it hard to find a flat that makes an outfit look more ‘dressed up’ and exciting than just opting for a pair of trainers, that is also comfortable enough to walk around in all day. And I think the ballet trainer does just this! Cool and casual, but also cute. I do love the Puma Speedcat ballet flats, I just sent these to one of my clients to buy and she adores them! So yep, if you ask me it’s a pretty genius invention!”

Stylist Adam Walsh:

“I think the ballet sneaker trend is a prime example of just how influential streetwear is in today’s society. We have seen ballet flats at the forefront of trend forecasting for the last few years and seeing brand such as Kiko Kostadtinov, Adidas and Buffalo putting their own what I would label as androgynous and causal take on the trend for those who would lean towards a less feminine way of dressing is super cool. There are a few pairs on my summer wishlist like the Double Standard ballet sneaker and the Leann Huang Banana Cow Lenticular Mary Jane.”

Visual artist, stylist and fashion journalist Zeda:

“I love them but you already know anything questionable looking is up my street! What’s interesting to me is how cyclical fashion is. I found a big pile of my mum’s ballet trainers from 20 years ago and it looks exactly like what’s in trend right now — so thankfully we’re the same size, I’m just keeping those! It’s fun to try things that work with your personal style but I hope people aren’t hopping up on the trend just because.”