It was only a matter of time before the classic sneaker bowed at the feet of balletcore, and this week, a new bombshell has entered the villa.
Overnight, photos of adidas’ newest silhouette – the Stan Smith Low Ballet – surfaced online. With an ultra-flat sole and a Mary Jane-inspired strap, the shoe marks a quiet but assured entry into what we’re calling the ballerina sneaker 'sneakerina' trend : part streetwear, part studio rehearsal, and all about grace under pressure.
But forget the tulle and pearls of peak coquette. This is a minimalist's dream. The iconic Stan Smith DNA is still present – perforated three stripes, Trefoil heel branding – but the shape is unmistakably transformed. There's no lacing system, just a smooth leather strap sitting across a pared-back upper. The toebox features a clean seam that recalls designer darlings like Margiela's Tabi, The Row’s understated loafers, and Lemaire’s slipper flats. Yes, adidas is drawing closer to the world of elevated simplicity.
While the balletcore trend has largely been associated with soft pastels and ribbons, the Stan Smith Low Ballet takes a more utilitarian approach. Two rumoured colourways are already making the rounds: a chic all-black pair and a crisp white version with bold red detailing—perfect for stepping off-duty without looking like you're en route to barre class.
Where past attempts at hybrid models, like the Taqwa Bint Ali x adidas Megaride Mary-Jane, leaned into athletic function, the Stan Smith Low Ballet is purely lifestyle. It’s less about performance and more about persona: the woman who collects Loewe flats, the man who wears his Onitsuka Tigers with tailored trousers, the skater who secretly loves a square toe.
When will they be released?
No official release date yet, but they’re expected to arrive around mid-2025. And if our feeds are any indication, this quietly radical flat will be everywhere – on sidewalks, at gallery openings, and yes, maybe even in a few dance studios.
What will be the price point?
If the Instagram post's pricing is anything to go by, they'll be priced at around the $280–$300 mark in Australian dollars.
