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Ballerina Pumps – The Delicate Pairing Style Tips

Ballerina pumps the Audrey Hepburn way: plain black or nude flats, fine socks in neutral colours, and invisible socks when you want none showing.

By Gracie Opulanza3 min read

Close view of leather ballerina pumps with small bows, in orange, mustard, purple and teal, stacked on a red shelf

Audrey Hepburn is remembered for her Givenchy gowns. I want to talk about something smaller: ballerina flats, and the socks that go with them.

Pair of black suede ballet flats with patent-trimmed bows and small gold charms

The delicate pairing

Is there a better muse for it than Audrey? She trained as a ballet dancer, and it showed in her posture, her walk and her style. So it is no wonder she took to ballet flats. Whilst everyone else was teetering on stilettos, Audrey was in flats. Think of Roman Holiday.

Now the socks. For a long time socks with flats were simply not done. Audrey wore them anyway. It’s all about contrast: a soft, girlish sock against a plain, sleek flat. And choose the sock as carefully as the shoe. Cashmere or silk, not scratchy cotton.

So how do you wear the look today? Mix the classic pieces with something modern. You don’t want to look as though you have stepped out of a 1950s archive.

Style board "Audrey Look #2": white lace shift dress with a black ruffled hem, red clutch and black bow ballet flat

Sleek black or nude flats

Start with a pair of plain black or nude flats. Something classic, with one small detail: a buckle, a bow or a hint of metallic. Audrey kept things simple. Your flats should do the same and not overpower you.

Next, the socks. Avoid anything loud or gimmicky. Go for soft materials in neutral tones: black, cream, or a pale pastel if you are feeling daring. They should sit just above the ankle.

Then it is all in how you wear them. Shoulders back, head high. You can be comfortable in flats and still look fabulous.

A row of soft ballet flats in orange, mustard, purple and teal, each tied with a small bow

Audrey lived the lifestyle

For Audrey, dressing was part of how she lived. She mixed luxury with simplicity and it never looked forced. That is what to aim for here. Not a pile of trends. One good pair of flats and one good pair of socks.

The best part is the comfort. Flats are practical, and they take you from a day in town to an evening out.

And this is not only a daytime look. A little black dress, black ballerina flats and a pair of sheer socks with a slight shimmer will do for a party. You won’t be the tallest in the room. You will be the most comfortable.

Invisible socks

And if you want no sock showing at all? Team your flats with invisible socks. The ones in the photographs are from Calzedonia, with a crystal trim. They are the slip-ons I wear myself, and I love them. The video above is all about them.

Calzedonia invisible socks with crystal trim in their packaging, on a blue, yellow and red tiled print cloth
A grey knitted sock with studded grip beside a packet of black no-show socks with a crystal chain trim

If it was good enough for Audrey, it is good enough for us.

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