The Best Ballet Flats Compared: Rothy's, Everlane, Margaux, Loeffler Randall and Sam Edelman

If there is one shoe that shows up in every one of my group chats, it is the ballet flat. Someone posts a photo of a new midi skirt, and the first question is always "what shoes?" Most of the time, the answer is a pretty flat.

I've written before about Rothy's flats in detail and about which fall shoes work with long skirts. This post is different. Here I want to put the well-known ballet flat brands side by side, so you can see how they really differ and pick the one that fits your week, your feet and your budget.

A quick note: I checked every price below on the store's own website on October 29, 2026. Prices, colors and stock change all the time, so the store's page always has the final word.

First, the three things that matter most

Before comparing brands, it helps to know what actually makes one flat feel different from another. For me, it comes down to three things.

1. The material. Knit flats are soft, flexible and often washable. Leather molds to your foot over time and looks polished. Suede feels luxurious and looks beautiful with tights, but it needs more care in wet weather.

2. The toe shape. A pointed toe makes the leg look longer, which helps a lot with midi and maxi skirts. An almond toe is softer and a little more classic. A round or square toe looks sweet and a bit more relaxed.

3. The vamp. The vamp is the part that covers the top of your foot. A higher vamp looks more covered and more "fall." A low vamp with a little toe cleavage looks dressier and more delicate. With long skirts, both work, but a slightly higher vamp feels more balanced with heavy fabrics like wool and corduroy.

Once you know which of these you care about, choosing a brand gets much easier.

Rothy's: the washable everyday flat

Rothy's is the brand most of my friends own at least one pair of. Their big strength is practicality. Many of their flats are knit, and many styles are made to go in the washing machine, which is a real gift if you have little kids, long commutes or rainy school runs.

The newest version of their classic pointed flat is The Point III in Graphite Tweed, $165. Rothy's describes it with a sweetheart topline and a roomy toe box for less scrunching. The tweed texture looks lovely with gray and camel skirts.

If you'd rather have a softer shape, The Almond Ballet in Bronzite Lattice, $155, has a rounded almond toe and a black and gold lattice pattern that feels dressy enough for Shabbos.

Best for: busy weekdays, standing a lot, anyone who wants to throw her shoes in the wash.

Keep in mind: knit gives a bit with wear, so check each style's fit notes before choosing your size.

Everlane: soft leather, simple shapes

Everlane's flats are what I'd call quiet. No big logos, no fuss, just clean leather shapes that go with everything in a modest wardrobe.

The Day Glove in Red, $98, is their classic. Everlane describes it as soft leather that molds to your foot, with a back pull tab, side vents, a rubber sole and a cushioned insole. A red flat is one of my favorite ways to make a navy or cream outfit feel happy.

For something a little more playful, The Day Mary Jane in Black, $128, has a square toe and a soft elastic strap. A mary jane strap is also handy if regular flats tend to slip off your heel.

Best for: a polished leather flat for work and everyday, at a gentler price than the designer brands.

Keep in mind: leather needs a little breaking in. Wear new pairs around the house for an evening or two first.

Margaux: the handmade classic

Margaux is the brand people talk about when they want a ballet flat that feels like a real investment. Their best-known style is The Demi, which Margaux calls its bestselling ballet flat and says is handmade in Spain.

The Demi in Black Suede is $290. It comes in many suede colors and some fun textures, so you can find one in almost any shade. The black suede is the one I'd pick for a modest wardrobe, because it looks rich with black tights and a long wool skirt.

Best for: someone who wants one beautiful pair to wear for years, for work, simchas and Shabbos.

Keep in mind: suede doesn't love rain. Use a suede protector spray and keep a second pair for wet days.

Loeffler Randall: the bow flat

If your style is a little more romantic, Loeffler Randall is where to look. Their flats lean feminine, with bows, velvet, moiré and mary jane straps.

The Noa Black Moiré Bow Flat, $350, has a soft moiré finish and a bow at the toe. Their Noelle Black Suede Ballet Flat, also $350, has an almond toe, a bow detail and a padded leather footbed.

Best for: Shabbos, weddings, holiday parties and anyone who loves a bow.

Keep in mind: these are dressier shoes. They're a treat, not an everyday workhorse, so think about how often you'll really wear them.

Sam Edelman: the one you'll see everywhere

Sam Edelman's Felicia Ballet Flat is one of the most familiar flats out there. The brand lists it among its "icons," and it comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, from basic black leather to metallics and prints. I couldn't verify a current price on the store's site today, so check the page for the latest price and colors.

Best for: a classic round-toe flat in lots of colors.

Keep in mind: if you need extra cushioning for long days on your feet, a thin padded insert can make any simple flat more comfortable.

Side by side: which one is for you?

Here is how I'd choose, without overthinking it:

• You want easy care and lots of wear: Rothy's, because you can wash many styles at home.
• You want simple leather that goes with everything: Everlane.
• You want one investment pair: Margaux's Demi in suede.
• You want something feminine for Shabbos and simchas: a Loeffler Randall bow flat.
• You want a classic in lots of colors: Sam Edelman's Felicia.

If you can only own one pair, I'd go with a neutral pointed or almond toe in a shade close to your skin tone or your tights. It will work with almost every skirt in your closet.

How to wear ballet flats with modest outfits

With midi skirts. Flats leave a little leg showing between the hem and the shoe. Matching your tights to your flats makes that line look smooth and long.

With maxi skirts. Almost any flat works, since the skirt covers most of the foot. This is a great place for a fun color or a bow, because you only see a flash of it when you walk.

With dresses for Shabbos. A suede or moiré flat with a long-sleeve knit dress looks elegant and stays comfortable through a long meal.

With denim skirts. A simple leather or knit flat keeps a denim skirt looking fresh, not too casual. I have more ideas in my post on how to style a long denim skirt.

Quick answers

Which material is best for wide feet? Knit and soft leather tend to give the most. Read each style's fit notes and recent reviews from people with a foot like yours.

Do flats slip off with tights? Sometimes. A mary jane strap or a thin heel grip usually fixes it.

How many pairs do I really need? Most of us do well with two: one easy everyday pair and one dressier pair for Shabbos and simchas.

When I find real markdowns on flats, I add them to my best deals this week page with the actual sale price. You can also browse all my picks on my Shoes page.

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