I’m not usually one to hop on a trend, but when I saw that ballet flats were making a resurgence this season à la Katie Holmes and Jennifer Lopez, I couldn’t help but give into the temptation of adding a new pair of the timeless slip-on shoes to my closet. After all, as a travel writer, it’s my duty to test out comfy shoes that are well suited for anything your travels may have in store. 

After much research, I landed on the Madewell Greta Ballet Flat, and at $98 I can confidently say that these tasteful Mary Janes are worth the investment if you’re looking to achieve the model-off-duty look while still giving your feet the support they need. 

The Greta Ballet Flat

I’ve been eager to partake in the ballet flat fad since its return to popularity earlier this year, and these dainty Mary Janes from Madewell quickly proved to be the perfect choice for nailing the look I was after without sacrificing comfort. The lightweight shoes are made with soft leather exteriors atop durable man-made soles, and are detailed with slim straps across the tops of each shoe for an added layer of stability to keep them in place. 

This flat has earned its spot as a best-seller at Madewell and is available in five fall-ready colors from a bold cheetah print to a rich black (which was the shade I opted for). However, while many flat shoes lack the cushioning needed to keep you comfortable throughout long days on your feet, these shoes are fitted with Madewell’s classic Cloudlift Lite padding which effectively channels the feeling of walking on a cloud — even despite the slim design that’s the perfect size for tucking into a suitcase or purse without taking up excess space. 

The Greta Ballet Flat

Due to the simple nature of these flats, the pair instantly became a mainstay in my closet for dressing up my favorite outfits, whether I’m heading into the office or enjoying a day of wandering around New York City. I especially love that these shoes are so lightweight that they feel like there’s nothing on my feet, but I can still spend a day walking around and not experience the discomfort of having worn an inadequately supportive shoe, or even worse, develop blisters. And since they’re so versatile, they’ll be the perfect selection to bring home for the upcoming holidays in favor of a pair of chunkier boots.

Other Madewell shoppers seem to share a similar sentiment regarding the comfort and function of these fall-ready Mary Janes, with one customer raving that “these are the most comfortable shoes” that they’ve “bought from Madewell,” and in fact required “zero breaking-in period” — a fact which I can attest to. They added that they’ve “worn them to walk around city sidewalks at lunch and all day in the office,” and they’ve proven to be “cool and stylish, but not overly trendy.”

The Greta Ballet Flat

The flats trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere as we head into the colder months of the year, and the Madewell Greta Ballet Flats are my favorite way to rock the classic and feminine style without giving up on comfort. Available at Madewell for $98 with sizes ranging from 5 to 12 (including half sizes), these packable and sleek shoes have quickly become my favorite pair for the season, for travel and beyond.

And if you’re shopping on a budget, keep reading to find our top picks from Madewell’s sale section, which is currently overflowing with everything from boots to loafers to revamp your shoe lineup without breaking the bank. (Pro tip: make sure to enter the promo code FALLIN to get the extra 40 percent off discount.)

More Comfy Shoes on Sale at Madewell

The Vernon Loafers

The Jesse Western Mule

The Marcelin Clog Boot in Shearling

At the time of publishing, the price started at $98. 

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