Harry Styles is leading a shift in men’s footwear—and pushing fashion boundaries comes with practical perks, too.
Private jets usually fly higher than commercial planes, which can increase the likelihood of swollen feet and ankles as gravity pulls fluid into the soft tissues—a condition known as dependent edema. There are ways to prevent it, like wearing compression socks, skipping salty snacks, doing in-seat exercises every half hour, and opting for comfortable shoes that allow your feet to swell naturally.
So when Harry Styles was photographed arriving at LAX in Miu Miu’s flexible Élan ballet flats—made from soft nappa leather with an elastic toe—along with the same Dior jeans he wore at the 2026 Grammys, he seemed to be following all the right advice. But there might have been another reason for his choice: ballet flats are gradually gaining popularity among men.
This trend has been building in fashion circles for some time—i-D’s deputy editor Alex Kessler, Dazed’s editor-in-chief Ted Stansfield, and Vogue’s Christian Allaire were all trying them out as early as 2023. Now, these slip-ons seem ready to move beyond early adopters and into the mainstream.
It’s no surprise Styles is at the forefront of this change. He’s been quietly building a small but notable collection of hybrid sneaker-ballet flats, like the lime-green Prada Collapse trainers he wore in his recent “Aperture” video. With encouragement from stylist Harry Lambert, he has long used clothing to explore masculinity—whether posing in a Gucci gown on the cover of Vogue in 2020 or performing in a gingham dress at Madison Square Garden in 2021. Now, his fashion experiments are keeping things grounded—literally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Harry Styles and men wearing ballet flats designed to answer questions from basic to more detailed
Basics Definitions
Q Whats the deal with Harry Styles and ballet flats
A Harry Styles has famously worn ballet flats as part of his signature style challenging traditional gender norms in fashion and making the look popular and visible for men
Q What exactly are ballet flats in this context
A Theyre flat slipon shoes inspired by ballet slippers typically with a thin sole a rounded or slightly pointed toe and no laces or buckles For men they often look like a sleek minimalist loafer
Q Is this a new trend or has it been around
A While men in heels and ornate shoes have a long historical precedent Harry Styles brought a specific modern version of the ballet flat into mainstream pop culture around 20202021 making it a contemporary trend
Style Wearing Them
Q Can any man wear ballet flats or is it just for a certain look
A Any man can wear them They work best with a confident attitude and outfits that lean towards smartcasual tailored or eclectic stylesthink slim trousers cropped jeans or suits with a modern twist
Q What kind of outfits do they go with
A Theyre versatile Pair them with tailored trousers and a blazer for a sharp look with cropped straightleg jeans for something casual or with statement socks and wideleg pants for a more fashionforward outfit
Q Where can I buy ballet flats that fit men
A Many unisex or genderneutral brands offer them You can also look in the womens section for larger sizes as the styles are often the same Key is to focus on the shoes fit and width rather than the labeled gender
Q Are they comfortable
A It depends on the brand and construction Look for ones with a cushioned insole and a flexible sole They often have less arch support than sneakers so they may not be ideal for long walks initially
Social Cultural Impact
Q Why is this such a big deal
A Its a big deal because