The story of Brigitte Bardot's ballet flats - From the alleys of St-Tropez to the streets of Paris

Actress, singer, model, animal rights activist, and 60s French icon: Brigitte Bardot wore many hats throughout her career. But the one she wore perhaps most naturally, sometimes without even realizing it, was that of a muse. She was adored by Yves Saint Laurent, idolized by Alain Delon, the singing partner of Serge Gainsbourg, the lover of various actors, but today, what we are interested in are ballet flats. Yes, in addition to crediting the French actress with the discovery and popularization of the Tarte Tropézienne, it is also thanks to her that the streets of Paris and other French cities are filled today with little pairs of ballet flats of all colors, once reserved exclusively for «petits rats de l'opéra» and dance halls. Let's take a look back at Brigitte Bardot's ballet flats, their history, and their popularization.

The story of Brigitte Bardot's ballet flats From the alleys of St-Tropez to the streets of Paris | Image 521607

The story of Brigitte Bardot's ballet flats From the alleys of St-Tropez to the streets of Paris | Image 521589

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The story of Brigitte Bardot's ballet flats From the alleys of St-Tropez to the streets of Paris | Image 521591

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The story of Brigitte Bardot's ballet flats From the alleys of St-Tropez to the streets of Paris | Image 521585

The story of Brigitte Bardot's ballet flats From the alleys of St-Tropez to the streets of Paris | Image 521584

The story of Brigitte Bardot's ballet flats From the alleys of St-Tropez to the streets of Paris | Image 521606

Brigitte Bardot made them her favorite shoes, wearing them with tight-fitting capri pants and low-cut cotton tank tops, mini-dresses, and flared skirts, taking them off on the beach and putting them back on just as naturally once the day was over. The slip-on shoe phenomenon was inevitable: women loved the ballet flat that Brigitte Bardot had custom-made and which later became accessible to everyone. Today, one of the most iconic souvenirs to buy when traveling to Paris or online are Brigitte Bardot's shoes, religiously shiny indigo red. It's an opportunity to leave with a little piece of history but above all a fashion essential that will always come back, to be paired with a beautiful gingham dress for a picnic or capri pants and a headband for an aperitif in the city.