I wouldn't be caught dead in flats, unless of course they are ballet flats...

There are certain times when a lady has to put down the stilettos and trade them in for something a little more comfortable: at the airport, on long shopping sprees, on a date with someone really short. Sneakers and flip flops will never do; they have "sloppy" written all over them – reach for something that will stand the test of time.

Pick up a pair of ballet flats.

Ballet flats were inspired by ballet dancers (duh). They were first introduced in France by Repetto, an American company that specialized in dancewear. Another company that we are all familiar with, Capezio, created a pair of patent leather flats with an ankle ribbon back in 1949. Once actresses Audrey Hepburn and Bridgette Bardot began wearing ballet flats in their movies, the trend took off and later became a classic.

Today designers like Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Tory Burch, Chloe, even Christian Louboutin have embraced the ballet flat and worked them into their collections. Ballet flats look great with everything from skirts to jeans and are extremely comfortable. Every closet should at least have one pair, preferably black. I personally own a pair of Marc Jacobs ballet flats and it is one of the best purchases I have ever made.