I Tried On Every Pair of H&M Ballet Flats in Store—These Three Passed My Test

Whenever I’m searching for an expensive-looking high-street find, there’s one place where the rails almost speak to me: H&M. Offering row upon row of opulent colour palettes and sophisticated silhouettes, there has yet to be a time when, in a capsule-wardrobe fashion crisis, H&M hasn’t provided exactly what I’m looking for. In other words, over the decades, it has become my go-to for an affordable fashion hit. From spring jackets that rival investment buys to reliable denim that stands the test of time, I couldn’t think of a category I wouldn’t vouch for. But then I was asked about the footwear.

Call it misplaced bias, but when I think of H&M’s shoes, words like “cheap” tend to come to mind. But, if the brand’s other pieces had found a very happy home in my wardrobe, why should the footwear be any different? With spring just around the corner and ballet flats on my mind, I thought there was no better time than the present to put H&M’s shoes to the test. And what I discovered might surprise you (it certainly surprised me).

Now, just a quick bit about me and ballet flats: I don’t do breaking in. To me, any shoe that needs to be “broken in” isn’t worth the investment, and with characteristically large and wide feet (I’m 5’10” and wear a size 8 shoe), I feel like I’m the best person to clear up any preconceived assumptions. Any shoe that squeezed, widened or I just didn’t deem worth the spend didn’t make the list, but three specific pairs did. Scroll down to discover the best H&M ballet flats I tried (with pics for proof).

1. Braided Ballet Flats

Style Notes: An offshoot of the mesh ballet flats that were popular the past two summers, H&M’s braided style feels like the chicer older sister. The woven silhouette cocoons the foot whilst keeping your feet comfortably ventilated, and the delicate band holds the shoe in place, so if you’re worried about your feet slipping and sliding, don’t be!

Now, the quality was rather surprising. They’re extremely lightweight, so I was initially worried these flats would be a touch on the flimsy side, but, remarkably, they aren’t. With a reinforced footbed, they are at least as comfy as any ballet flat can be, and better yet, the structure of the shoe didn’t stretch, regardless of how many times I slipped my rather large feet in. Honestly, I was pretty surprised, especially considering they’re only £23.

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2. Suede Ballet Flats

Style Notes: When I spotted H&M offering suede ballet flats for £38, I knew I had to try them on. With a visible seam, they’re much like the glove flats that fashionable Parisians and every chic celebrity have been spotted in lately. At first glance, there’s nothing truly “special” about this pair; they have a small heel and flat footbed, but that’s about it. It’s when you put them on that they truly shine.

Fitting looser than the other pairs I tried, they were effortlessly comfortable and truly very chic. The colourway is pictured as a sandy shade but is noticeably darker in person, which wasn’t a bad thing for me, as it leans into those rich mahogany tones we’ve been obsessed with for so long. Slightly more cushioned than the other ballet flats, I could see myself pulling these out again and again, styling them with everything from my tried-and-true stovepipe jeans to a breezy spring skirt.

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3. Mary Jane Ballet Flats

Style Notes: I wouldn’t regard myself as your typical Mary Jane wearer. In fact, I have never owned a pair, and they’ve just never appealed to me. The narrow base tends to make my wide feet look far larger, which is neither chic nor refined. Yet, whilst I didn’t love the look for me, I can appreciate that these, at their core, are a great pair of Mary Janes.

With a slightly rounded on-trend almond toe, these ballet flats could easily rival a designer pair to the untrained eye. The buckle looks not only stylish but is truly functional, and the jersey interior means the shoes mould to your foot. They are also finished with a well-placed heel, making them better for walking long distances. Did I love the narrow finish? No. (On that note, the H&M site advises sizing up for comfort.) But honestly, I quite liked them with my jeans. I’m unlikely to convert any time soon, but I did walk away with a newfound appreciation for this timeless style.

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Shop More H&M Ballet Flats We Adore: