The Dance-inspired Alternative to Ballet Flats Poised to Take Over

Why the jazz shoe is for those who want to be ahead of the curve.​Why the jazz shoe is for those who want to be ahead of the curve. 

For the last few years, ballet-inspired shoes, ballerina flats and sneaker mary jane hybrids have gripped the collective consciousness.

But a new style has emerged to take its place. Meet the jazz shoe, a familiar silhouette for anyone who has taken a dance class in their youth or watched a Broadway show or two.

Seen on the Celine resort 2026 runway as a part of Michael Rider’s debut collection for the brand, Rider doubled down on the shape, as it reappeared for spring 2026. And it’s not just him — the likes of Jil Sander and Dries Van Noten showed leather lace-up flats, while Bottega Veneta offered their own take for fall 2026.

Of course, this style isn’t new. Repetto has been making their famous Zizis for years, as famously seen on Serge Gainsbourg, Mick Jagger and Kirsten Dunst.

But its nascent comeback can be tied to bigger footwear trends. “There has been a focus on soft shoes for a while now and anything slipper-adjacent has felt appealing. Jazz shoes are a mix of slippers and sneakers and feel very ’80s, which also seems aligned with color trends as well,” said Jamie Haller, whose eponymous label makes very popular versions in a variety of hues. With fashion editors among the early adopters of the trend, given their popularity during Paris Fashion Week, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes omnipresent.

“I categorize jazz shoes as…not necessarily a big trend but something fashion insiders are leaning into,” said content creator and trend forecaster Mandy Lee. “What sets it apart from other footwear is that it mimics a low-profile sneaker in the way it’s fitted and hugs the phalanges.”

Given that low-profile sneakers have been the overwhelmingly popular silhouette for the past few years, it seems like these lace-ups could be the logical next step.

Another piece of evidence supporting the rise to fame? It’s also a reflection of this moment we’re having in footwear, with what Lee famously dubbed as “freaky shoes” becoming the norm. “We’re seeing weirder, more unhinged styles and this is a great example given how it molds to the foot.” 

Aesthetics aside, comfort also plays a role in the appeal of jazz shoes, as customers are looking to invest in stylish options that can handle 10,000 steps a day.

“People are not spending a lot of money on something that they cannot walk in or live their lives. Perceived value is what’s most important for consumers to actually pull the trigger on buying something expensive,” said Lee, who purchased a Tabi version of the style that she cites as extremely comfortable.

While those might be a little too extreme for some, according to Haller the classic options are equally as good and far easier to wear. “They look great with slim pants or a cropped silhouette,” she said.