Taylor Swift may have just worn her most in-the-know fashion look yet. While appearing on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” in New York City on Wednesday evening, the singer and songwriter stepped into a two-piece look by Wiederhoeft, a New York-based independent brand known for its impressive …
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Would Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece be served a slice of Principessa cake? I wondered while stepping into Sant Ambroeus SoHo, where guests gathered to celebrate the launch of La Beauté Louis Vuitton. Instead, LV-etched glassware filled with champagne and spritzes awaited. Just down the street at the Louis Vuitton store, Dame Pat McGrath had spent the morning unveiling refillable lipsticks, shadow compacts, and elaborate leather beauty cases to crowds of beauty and fashion insiders eager for a first look since Vogue broke the news this spring. Now, inside the neighborhood-favorite café, McGrath was finally able to relax with familiar faces after months of working with the house on a beauty line that meant “having, in a way, no limits and being able to push the boundaries,” she said with a smile. “Now, we’re celebrating together—it’s so important to see all of my friends here. I’m so happy.”
The talent in the room alone could have filled a cover shoot: longtime collaborators Guido Palau and Jimmy Paul were on hand, as well as stylists Kate Young and Leslie Fremar, who knew McGrath from their early days at Vogue. “When I was an assistant at Vogue, most of my time was spent on set with Pat and I always admired her,” Fremar recalled. “She’s so creative and always pushes the envelope, and you just knew her products were going to be amazing.” Even her children, she added, have been curious about the line: The packaging is beautiful. The presentation is beautiful. The quality is beautiful. You wouldn’t expect anything less of Louis Vuitton and Pat.
Guests dined on caprese, branzino, and mixed berries served on Vuitton tableware flown in for the occasion. “I do all of my business lunches here because it’s right by my office,” said Young, noting the special touches like dahlias arranged in the collection’s shades and napkins tied with Vuitton luggage tags. Already test-driving the new lipstick, she said, “I really like the color I’m wearing today.” Tomorrow, Young heads to the Toronto Film Festival. This weekend, others will be at the Armory Show and the US Open as the multilayered parfait of September culture continues. As Lauren Santo Domingo put it: “I dropped my daughter off for her first day of school, and then I came here for my first day of fashion week.”
It’s a rare occurrence when the trendiest shoe of the season also happens to be one of the most classic styles in fashion history: the black flat. Yet here we are, and there’s no denying that the best black flats are a timeless investment that will never go out of style.
Whether you’re a fan of delicate ballet shapes or can’t say no to a leather slipper, these classic staples are a must-have in every wardrobe. Obviously, the neutral hue is easy to mix and match with multiple looks. Their undeniable versatility and comfort make them a no-brainer for getting dressed in the morning. But don’t relinquish your black flats to running errands or commuting purgatory. The most elegant versions are beautiful enough to slip on during dressier occasions too.
The trick is to look for options that come with expertly crafted details that elevate the timeless shoe to superstar status. Take The Row’s distinct design approach, for example. The label’s dainty iterations whisper elegance while their subtle mary jane details add a refreshing element of surprise to the classic shoe. And it’s not just runway houses who are crafting notable designs. Contemporary brands like Aeyde, Emme Parsons, and Loeffler Randall have created equally beautiful pairs that will hug your foot like a cozy sock. Discover these and more of the best black flats to shop, ahead.
Ballet flats have been elevated over the past few years from a prim dance shoe to an endlessly reinventable staple, whether done up in satin or rendered in classic leather. Elegant and insouciant, they look just as at home with a mini skirt as they do with slouchy trousers.
Ever since brands like Miu Miu and The Row released high-end versions of the classic mary jane, the shoe has been on the upswing. The silhouette is synonymous with girlish innocence, making it feel particularly irreverent when worn with tailoring or tomboy jeans.
Soft leather slippers feel especially cool when worn beyond the confines of the house, adding a hint of chic nonchalance to any outfit.
A sleek slingback puts a more editorial spin on the classic ballerina. Its directional shape, especially in the hands of innovators like Marni or Saint Laurent, lends the shoe a dressier feel.
Studded flats continue to reign as a commanding shoe trend, and for good reason. They add automatic glitz to any look without sacrificing comfort.
Speaking of shoe trends, Alaïa’s wildly popular mesh flat has inspired iterations across the spectrum. Stick with the classic or try a slipper-like style from Toteme or Christopher Esber.
Straight off of the runways, our favorite designers are crafting black ballerinas with a hardened punk edge, from Gucci’s three-strap ballet flat to Balenciaga’s studded style.
Woven leather flats, which possess a certain handcrafted appeal, are having a moment as well. In monochromatic black, the summer-leaning, Spanish-influenced style feels just as cool for fall.
You can never go wrong with a classic, black loafer—a foundational item that only gets better over the years after it’s worn in. Dependable options can be found across the price spectrum, from Church’s to G.H. Bass.
