Before anything else, I’m a jeans person, meaning there’s some form of denim in my outfit at least five days a week. Whilst denim itself is the constant, the wash, silhouette and styling details shift with the seasons, and right now, I’m reaching for cropped jeans more than any other.
Sleek and polished, ankle-grazing jeans have become my summer go-to. And the shoe trend I’ve found complements them best? French women’s favourite ballet flats.
Comfortable and considered but not fussy or overstyled, this pairing embodies the effortless approach to dressing that French women do so well.
By revealing just a sliver of ankle, cropped jeans bring a lightness to denim that feels particularly well-suited to summer. Meanwhile, ballet flats offer all the polish of a smarter shoe whilst remaining just as comfortable as your favourite trainers. They’re also an elegant alternative to sandals, making them ideal for days when you want a little more coverage.
There’s a reason the chicest French women continue to return to this combination year after year. Scroll on to shop the best cropped jeans and ballet flats to recreate the look for yourself.
Shop Cropped Jeans and Ballet Flats:
Marks & Spencer
High Waisted Cropped Slim Fit Jeans
These come in short, regular and long lengths, so you can find your perfect fit.
Style with ballet flats or pair with a strappy sandal.
Anthropologie
The Colette Crop Wide-Leg Jeans
Classic cropped jeans will never go out of style.
Khaite
Abigail Stretch Cropped High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
Khaite’s jeans are a fashion person’s favourites.
Marks & Spencer
Satin Flat Ballet Pumps
The satin ballet flats trend isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Massimo Dutti
Soft Leather Ballerinas
Every great wardrobe starts with a pair of black ballet flats.
& Other Stories
Leather Ballet Flats
These also come in orange.
Reformation
Brie Ballet Flat
These also come in half sizes, so you can find your perfect fit.