Anatomy of the Perfect Ballet Flat: Maria Sharapova for Cole Haan Gets It Right

I have many tall friends who love wearing extra tall shoes and, at 5’9″ myself, I get it (and you know we love us some sky-high platforms here at Stylenik). There’s something great about taking your height to new levels, especially when you can literally look down on men. There’s this brief flash of insecurity in their eyes that I admit I relish. Not only do they have to look up to talk to me, but I can see their bald spots.

But when you live in a city, you need to walk (especially in one as hilly as San Francisco) and so I’m always on the hunt for the perfect ballet flat, which is frustratingl elusive. Here’s where most ballet flats go wrong:

- Cut too high: The front and sides of the shoe reach high on the foot. Although this is more comfortable, it is not flattering.

- Cut too low: It’s more flattering, but the shoe opening usually rubs the bones of your feet which is brutally uncomfortable to walk in (thus my gorgeous cherry wine Tory Burch flats that sit unused in my closet).

- Minimal sole: most companies think of the ballet flat as gamine, so they make the sole thin and delicate — also brutally uncomfortable for the foot.

- Too much sole: a ballet flat is not a sneaker and too many designers seem confused about this.

Happily, I have found the perfect ballet flat in Air Bacara Ballet flats by Maria Sharapova for Cole Haan (they come in six colors!). They’re cut low enough to be cute but not uncomfortable and they divide the sole support between the ball of the foot and heel so it’s not bulky but still supportive. According to a New York Times article I read today Sharapova’s ballet flats are a bestseller for Cole Haan. Here’s hoping other shoe companies sit up and take notice!