Marc Levy A pair of secondhand ballet flats for sale Monday at Buffalo Exchange in Somerville’s Davis Square.

Growing up in France, ballet flats were a given; something between a default and a rite of passage. From affordable to Repetto , options were sleek and minimal, almost missable unless you knew to pay attention. Imagine my surprise spotting them across American media this summer. The ballet flat is tiptoeing in. And not just the classic leather kind – I’ve clocked mesh, satin, ruched, even crocheted versions that feel more like conversation starters than functional footwear. Paired with ankle socks or cuffed jeans, they look less like a subtle, easy slip-on shoe and more like a postpandemic pivot away from the chunky sneaker.

Why now? Maybe we’re all craving something softer, l

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