12 burgundy ballet flat styles to shop this winter

There are few shoes that have experienced a revival on the same scale as the ballet flat. Once relegated to the realm of nostalgia – visible only on the crinkled pages of a mid-00s magazine, or on a teen TV show show from the same era (hello, Marissa Cooper) – the shoe has rebounded in recent years to become a defining piece of most good modern wardrobes.

Now, as we settle into winter here in Australia, the humble ballet flat is going through yet another transformation. Gone are the days when black was the only option. In its place comes a richer, more considered shade: burgundy.

While red has held our attention in recent seasons, burgundy offers a softer interpretation of its appeal – so much so that we’d argue burgundy should be considered a neutral. Luxury fashion has already made the shift, with burgundy appearing across bags, shoes and leather accessories, as designers move beyond the brighter cherry reds that have dominated recent seasons.

Now, that shift is making its way to the ballet flat. Matthieu Blazy was quick to embrace the hue at CHANEL, producing a burgundy and light blue flat as part of the Coco Beach 2026 collection that sold out in what felt like mere moments. Maison Margiela, The Row, Bottega Veneta, Alaïa and, of course, Phoebe Philo have all produced variations of their own burgundy ballet flats, with similar degrees of sell-out success.

And for evidence of the burgundy ballet flat’s utility we need only look to the feet of the fashion set, who have already made a case for the colour’s wearable-ness. Just last week, Dua Lipa was spotted on the streets of New York wearing denim shorts and a white tee – made infinitely better with a pair of CHANEL burgundy ballet flats (and, admittedly, a post-honeymoon glow). Perhaps that’s the appeal. Rather than demanding an entirely new way of dressing, the burgundy ballet flat slips effortlessly into an existing wardrobe. It has all the versatility of a black flat, but with a little more warmth and personality; enough to elevate an outfit without overpowering it.

Ready to dip your toes into the trend? Shop our favourite burgundy ballet flat styles, below.