Bally Ruthild Ballet Flat

by La Fashionista on July 1, 2009

Sometimes after a day of walking on the beach, or doing some shopping, or wearing high-heeled sandals, I like to give my feet a break in a nice pair of flats. But I don’t always want to just throw on a pair of flip flops, especially if I haven’t had time to freshen up my pedicure after walking in the sand, or being in chlorinated water. That’s where a pretty pair of ballet flats comes in. And even though summer’s just begun, the fall fashions are already starting to come out, so it’s a good idea to have accessories that can make the transition from one season to the next. The Bally Ruthild ballet flat does just that.

Its floral embroidery is both feminine and summery. With flowers in pink, blue, and yellow on a hazel background, it will go with shorts or a light summer dress in just about any color. It has a rounded toe box, so your toes won’t be squished into a point, and the leather lining and insole will keep your feet comfortable. The leather sole will eventually scuff up a bit, providing sure footing. The multicolored embroidery will get you through the summer, while the hazel suede upper will carry you right into fall, and they’ll still look good with jeans or wool slacks. The thing I like best about them? They’re just pretty. They’re $429 at Zappos.com.

Budget Saving Alternatives

Even if they’ll work for more than one season, you may not want to spend that much on shoes right now, especially if your budget is stretched for a summer vacation. Not to worry. Try the Geox Donna Lola ballet flat, another shoe that will stay at the front of your closet for several months, if not year round. It has a patent leather upper, which will look just as great with any summer ensemble as it will with denim or slim black pants. The multicolored pattern gives you a lot of options, and if you look closely, there’s a subtle floral design imprinted on the upper. The heel and edge trim are solid-colored. I like it in this orange, a color that looks great in summer and fall, but it’s also available in light blue and fuschia. The cool thing about this shoe is it has a perforated sole system, designed to absorb and expel sweat without letting water in, so you can wear these on bare feet in the summer and stay cool. That’s definitely worth the $119.95 at Endless.com.

Another pretty and feminine option is Jessica Simpson’s Maloles ballet flat. It’s made for comfort with a rounded toe, lightly padded insole, textile lining, and rubber sole. Most comfortable of all, it features an elastic trim around the top, ensuring a comfortable and snug fit, so you don’t have to worry about them slipping off while walking, as some ballet flats tend to do. The turquoise and white floral pattern is perfect for summer, and the dark blue background means they’ll also look great with your fall wardrobe. They’re just $58.95 at Zappos.com.