You’ve heard of balletcore. You’ve heard of the ugly sneaker. Now, imagine the two sharing a wardrobe – and a shoe rack. Enter the sneakerina, 2025’s most delightfully dissonant hybrid: part ballerina flat, part street-savvy sneaker. Equal parts sporty and romantic, the ballerina sneaker is less of a compromise and more of a statement – and Bella Hadid, Chloë Sevigny and Dua Lipa have already signed their names on the dotted line.

Simone Rocha might have lit the first spark back in 2021, but this season, the trend is now fully ablaze. Her Fall 2025 collection paired crystal-embellished satin uppers with thick, technical soles, while Wales Bonner’s take for Spring 2025 leaned into coquette minimalism – Mary Jane straps, rounded silhouettes, and leopard print. Louis Vuitton is next to the barre, unveiling a logo-laced take at their runway.

Why now? Post-ballet flat revival and deep into gorpcore’s late stages, the 'sneakerina' bridges two desires: comfort and character. Unlike your classic trainers, these feel intentional, elevated, and ironically demure. Think rubber soles with girlish ribbon laces, mesh panels on satiny uppers. Think JW Pei’s Caitlin Lace-Up, Miu Miu’s nylon Mary Janes, or Acne Studios’ futuristic metallics.

And while it may have started on the runway, the sneakerina is quickly picking up pace on the streets. On TikTok it's been dubbed “balletpunk,” citing the look’s ability to soften even the most utilitarian outfits – think cargos, trenches, and tech jackets. On the flip side, it’s also breathing life back into slip dresses, bloomers, and all things coquette. There’s a satisfying tension here.

Where to shop

Louis Vuitton LV Sneakerina

Axel Arigato Marathon Ballet

Moncler Black Pacey Ballet Sneakers

MIU MIU Tyre Technical Fabric and Suede Ballerinas

Camper Karst Ballerina Shoes

AMOMENTO Black Vibram Mary Jane Ballerina Flats

Adidas Taekwondo Mei Shoes

Ash Rolls Mary Jane Sneakers

ECCO Biom c-Trail Women's Leather Sneaker

GANNI Black Performance Mary Jane Sneakers

Nicole Saldaña Brown Sophie Ballerina Flats

ASICS Gel-Lokros "Kiko Kostadinov x Heaven By Marc Jacobs" Sneakers

Salomon x Sandy Liang Speedcross 3 Ribbon "Black Pink" Sneakers

Adidas Adifom Megajane W

Adidas Originals X Taqwa Bint Ali Megaride Mary-Jane Shoes

Wales Bonner Tan & Brown Mary Jane Flat Sneakers

Acne Studios Silver Lace-Up Leather Flats

Simone Rocha Mesh Tracker Ballerinas With Embellishments

PUMA Speedcat Ballet "Black/Mauve Mist" Sneakers

Vivaia Lace-Up Satin Sneakerina

Miu Miu Gymnasium Technical Fabric and Suede Ballerinas

Jeffrey Campbell Regimen

Steve Madden Scooter Black Cow Print

JW Pei Caitlin Lace-up Ballerina Sneakers

Feature image courtesy ECCO via ID Collective.