When it comes to taking our style cues from Fashion Week, some trends are best left on the catwalk. Puffball skirts, exposed hips and acres of neon? We shudder.

So what a breath of fresh air to find something ubiquitous but wildly wearable and affordable coming down the runway for autumn. Yes, the beloved ballet pump is back.

In New York, Tibi did luxe leather styles, while Milan saw Fendi do flats with gold bracelets around the ankle.

Kate Moss was seen wearing a sleek black pair with a trench coat. Fellow fan Alexa Chung recently teamed hers with a striped shirt and blue denim.

If you can already feel the shin splints coming on, the chances are you were around when ballet flats were last in the spotlight.

An essential part of the Noughties It Girl uniform, Sienna Miller et al catapulted Lanvin's ballerina flats to cult status, wearing them with skinny jeans and coin belts. 

The designer style has been relaunched this season with a new micro-wedge sole for extra comfort. Yours for a cool £550.

But you don't need to spend a fortune to buy into the look, as the High Street has plenty of covetable styles. Just make sure you go for leather or good-quality fabric; anything plastic-y will make your feet feel sweaty.

French Sole, Flattered and Essen The Label are always reliable go-tos.

Marks & Spencer's leather bow ballet pumps ring in at under £40 and come with a cushioned lining. The two-tone blush colourway is reminiscent of Chanel's iconic toe-cap style.

Seeking a smart shoe for the office? Take a style note from the Princess of Wales and try a pointed‑toe pump with tailored trousers.

Kate favours Boden's suede Pointed Ballet Flats, which are on sale for under £100. Look at Jigsaw and Cos, too.

For top fashion points, reach for ballet flats with a Mary Jane strap. The style set is wearing Miu Miu's satin pumps, but you can head to & Other Stories and Mango for some budget-friendly alternatives.

Tapping into the Autumn/Winter 2023 trend for luxe basics, the way to wear ballet flats now is with your wardrobe staples: white T-shirt, straight jeans, crew-neck jumper, sharp blazer.

Keep the look low-key with black, navy or taupe styles, or add a statement pop with bright red and leopard-print.

Ballet shoes also work for the evening — in fact, they've been worn by A-listers on the red carpet. 

Switch high heels for comfy flats in velvet, satin or with a metallic finish and you'll find yourself pirouetting — rather than hobbling — into the night.