IMAGE: CHANEL

The backstory is straightforward enough. Back in 1984, Karl Lagerfeld (who had been with Chanel for only a year then), was inspired by a two-tone slingback Gabrielle Chanel created in 1957. His interpretation became known as the Ballerina. Made in Beige to lengthen the leg, and capped with a black toe to shorten the foot (because, anything to flatter the feet, right?), it has become a house icon since, something you’ll always find on the shoe shelves of any Chanel boutique you walk into.

IMAGES: CHANEL

The iconic Chanel bag? The Classic Flap. The one piece of RTW every woman should have? That would be the little black jacket. Jewellery? Pearls, pearls and more pearls. And when it comes to footwear, yes, you guessed it, it’s the ballerina. The essential style equivalent to, say, loafers for men (or is it sneakers these days), this is one shoe that’s the perfect weekend everything.

Relaxed, without being sloppy (impossible with the stitched CC logo, the little leather ribbon and of course, the contrasting toe cap), Chanel’s ballerina is also easy to wear (I mean, it’s a slip-on after all), it’s comfortable and most importantly, it will complete most any outfit you intend to wear for the day, be it tea with the girlfriends or shopping up and down Orchard Road.

IMAGE: CHANEL

Now available in a plethora of colours, finishes and materials, you’ll find the ballerinas in everything from lambskin to suede, from grosgrain to woven metallic plastic threads, something new for the Spring-Summer 2017 collection. Priced from SGD860 a pair and up, you’ll only need to head to your nearest Chanel boutique to try them out. And if the shoe fits… well, you’ll know what to do.

Images: Chanel