Ballet flats are everywhere. Once frowned upon, this long-overlooked style has reclaimed its place in fashion. Sneaker giants who might have been wary of the return of this traditionally feminine city shoe are now rolling out the red carpet for it. Adidas is reworking its Taekwondo model, Nike is bringing back the Rift, and Puma is unveiling a new take on its iconic Speedcat. Here’s a closer look at a comeback driven by far more than just the ballet-core trend.
The era of hybrid footwear
Originally launched in the 2000s, the Puma Speedcat made a strong comeback in 2024, boosted by the rise of ballet-core. An aesthetic inspired by classical dance, or at least our perception of it. Tights, leg warmers, leggings, pastel shades: ballet flats are now styled with a whole range of pieces straight out of the studio.
While sneaker brands could have resisted the return of this ultra-feminine shoe in favor of reinforcing streetwear and sportswear, they have since fully embraced the trend. They are now introducing hybrid designs that combine the comfort of a sneaker with the delicacy of a ballet flat. The result? Ultra-feminine, easy-to-slip-on pairs that fit perfectly into everyday urban life.
For spring, Puma is rolling out the Speedcat in a range of new colorways: navy blue, powder pink, silver and a versatile black. Elastic straps across the instep not only provide extra support, but also subtly echo the world of dance.
For the campaign, Puma has chosen an unexpected setting: goodbye dance studios, hello the pared-back carpet of a minimalist open space. The models retain hints of ballet-core like tights, while their outfits strike a balance between more formal elements, such as a grey jacquard sweater, and streetwear pieces like a track jacket.
Ballet flats for men
Though current trends have put city shoes particularly loafers at the top of the fashion hierarchy, sneakers haven’t said their last word. If the 2010s were defined by bold, statement designs, today’s styles are more understated: low-profile silhouettes, double lacing, and muted color palettes.
But the ballet flat is changing the game. Signs of its adoption by men are multiplying: actors like Jacob Elordi and singers such as Harry Styles and Bad Bunny have already embraced it.
The sneaker-ballet flat, an inherently hybrid shoe, could win over even the most hesitant, offering the sophistication of a classic shoe while retaining the comfort and ease of a sneaker. With this reinvention, Puma marks a new step in the evolution of footwear codes, where style and comfort intertwine and the boundaries between genders continue to blur.
The ballet flat: a genderless playground
The reinvention of the Puma Speedcat as a ballet flat reflects a broader shift in today’s trends, where the boundaries between masculine and feminine are fading. Originally designed for Formula 1, a high-performance, male-dominated world of racing, the Speedcat began as a technical, performance-driven, and distinctly masculine shoe. Seeing it reimagined for women, and ultimately embraced by men as well, says a great deal about the transformations reshaping both fashion and society.
Among men, this shift is clearly visible. While sneakers were once a central pillar of men’s style, often bulky and audacious, current trends are leaning toward the same kind of subtlety seen in women’s wear. The sneaker-ballet flat fits seamlessly into this aesthetic: understated and refined, it adds a delicate, sophisticated touch without compromising on comfort.
Beyond public figures, the trend reflects a deeper social shift: brands are observing that Gen Z and Millennials no longer hesitate to blur gender codes. The sneaker-ballet flat becomes a symbol, an item that transcends traditional categories and embodies this newfound freedom in the men’s wardrobe. The Speedcat ballerina is no longer just a nod to ballet-core; it proves that today; men and women are quite literally stepping in sync.
