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Are you longing to wear ballet flats, but the UK's winter chill is getting in the way?

Enter the 'sneakerina' - a hybrid shoe blending the practical aspects of trainers with the light and feminine features of ballet flats for comfort and style.

With their quirky style, the shoe might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the silhouette's surge in popularity is undeniable, with shopping platform Lyst last year witnessing a 1300 per cent increase in searches for the term 'ballet trainers'. Why? Because they blend comfort and style.

While sneakerinas have been in high fashion circles for some time (MiuMiu, Acne Studios, and Ferragamo all have versions), they've now trickled down to high street stores, and most recently, M&S has revealed its version.

Priced at £50, the shoe blends a classic, dainty Mary Jane with a trainer-like sole, making for an elevated shoe that is fit for dropping the kids off at nine and a fancy brunch at eleven.

'Blending soft suede finishes, Mary Jane straps and trainer-level comfort, the sneakerina taps into fashion's obsession with wearable hybrids. Polished enough for dresses, practical enough for everyday life,' the website reads.

If the M&S version doesn't quite cut it, plenty of others are available to shop on the high street, including silhouettes sported by Dua Lipa, Emily Ratajkowski, and nepo baby Iris Law.

While it's easy for pop stars and models to pull off almost any shoe, personal stylist Lisa Talbot told the Daily Mail that they, too, can be perfect for midlife shoppers.

'Sneakerinas sit perfectly between a ballet flat and a trainer and that's exactly why they've taken off,' she said.

'For midlife women in particular, they answer a long-standing style frustration: we want comfort without feeling sporty, and polish without discomfort.

'High-street brands like Marks & Spencer embracing them is a clear signal that this isn't a flash trend, it's a wardrobe solution.'

For Talbot, the style works because it feels lighter on foot, but looks more elegant than a trainer, while also sitting comfortably in the more relaxed, fluid silhouettes commonly worn now.

Looking to style them in midlife? The key, Talbot says, is to treat them as a polished flat, not a trainer.

Here are the best things to shop for every occasion, from grabbing coffee to the school-run or at your nine-to-five...

Dropping the kids off or walking the dog? Whatever the morning madness, opt for these - 

Looking for a fancier silhouette for a coffee or a brunch date? These are your new BFF -  

Or if you're heading to the nine-to-five grind...

And for play...