I often wonder: what do men think of ballerina flats? I mean, when they are worn by regular, grown-up women who are not performing in a dance recital or dressing up for Halloween. Just regular women wearing them with jeans. A whole breed of women seem to love them, but I’m curious to know what men think. Any conjectures or inside knowledge?

I love wearing them, and think they’re really cute, but I doubt guys actually find them “sexy” per se. But I don’t think they’re revolted by them either, as they may be by Birkenstocks.

I wear ballet flats nearly every day and my husband never says much about them. I do notice that when I wear heels that he has a warmer response. Hmmm....

I will wear ballet flats until they are hopelessly out of style...and then some.  They are just too comfortable and versatile to give up!

They’re not sexy, but they can be cute. Just so long as there’s no toe cleavage.

sub-question: what’s the deal with toe cleavage, ladies? Is this a style choice, or just a matter of putting up with it for a pair of shoes you like? I feel like it’s a relatively recent development.

i wear ballet flats like it’s my job, but i don’t wear them to look sexy.

@theothergyllenhaal: i personally don’t buy shoes because they show some toe cleavage (though a couple of my v. fashionable friends do), but if a like a pair of shoes there’s a little, so be it. what do you have against it?

I actually LOVE toe cleavage. I think it’s sexy. Is that weird?

I just bought a pair of flats that I didn’t try on and I got home and discovered they are total toe cleavage shoes.  I thought I had big feet or something...I’m totally fashion missing. lol!

I agree. I have an enormous size 10 shoe and I think toe cleavage on me just looks like I’m not wearing the right size, or my toes are too long, etc. Sad.

I don’t think ballet flats are ever intended to be “sexy.” Chic, yes. But if it’s a showdown between Uggs and ballet flats, ballet flats suddenly look tremendously appealing.

LOL...my boy hates Uggs.  He hates them so much in fact that we have agreed that if I ever buy them it will be my silent way of telling him it’s over. 

I thought everyone hated Uggs. They should.
When will Uggs be over???

I love ballet flats, but they are more about fashion than sexy.
If I want sexy, I do the peep toe heel thing.

Ballerina flats look decent on some of my friends, but they look horrible on me. I really do think you have to be a narrow, slender type of person to be able to wear these shoes and not look stupid. If you have a normal frame or are chubby or are muscular, these shoes will make you look like you have tiny feet and huge legs. Not a good style for my frame at all.

my boyfriend thinks they look weird. he says they make me look like I have duck feet. :(
i think it also depends on how skinny your legs are too.

I’ve never had any complaints… just don’t wear ‘em with skirts unless they have a little bit of a heel.  Or you have very tiny feet.

Oh, and I have this one pair from Rocket Dog ($12, baby!) that I get a lot of male compliments on… they have lots of stringy lycra straps across the top.

http://images.solestruck.com/rocket-dog-shoes/Rocket-Dog-shoes-String-(Black)-010307.jpg

I think that ballerina flats are comfortable. And my guy always says when I’m comfortable, I’m more confident, and when I’m more confident, I’m sexier.

Confidence is totally sexy, and as long as you’re the kind of girl that can be confident no matter what she’s wearing cuz she knows she’s a hottie, you’re in good shape.

My guy prefers my 3” heels.