JW PEI ballerina sneakers and ballet flats: Caitlin, Flavia and how they fit

The ballerina sneaker is the shoe of the year, and JW PEI makes two of the most searched versions: the Caitlin, a lace-up ballet flat on a sneaker sole, and the Flavia, a satin ballerina with a rubber trainer base. Coveti carries 15 ballerina sneakers and 19 ballet flats and flats from JW PEI, $250 to $320.

Key facts

• 6 Caitlin and 6 Flavia ballerina sneakers at Coveti, plus 19 ballet flats (Erika, Kayla, Solenne, Ava, Iria, Zoe).
• Caitlin: lace-up front, synthetic suede-fabric upper, 1 cm sole.
• Flavia: satin upper with ribbon lace, 1.5 cm sole, lined in satin.
• Prices $250 to $320 at Coveti.
• True to size by the brand’s account; Coveti lists EU sizes from the brand chart.

What a ballerina sneaker is

A ballet flat cut like a trainer: the low, rounded vamp and soft upper of a ballerina on a rubber sole with a little grip and structure. It gives the polish of a flat with more support underfoot, and it suits the wide trousers, long skirts and cropped denim that the season is built on.

Caitlin versus Flavia

The Caitlin laces up the front like a sneaker, in a soft synthetic microsuede the brand calls suede fabric, in neutrals and two-tone colourways. The laces give some adjustment over the instep, so it suits a higher foot. The Flavia is the dressier one: a satin upper threaded with ribbon, on a 1.5 cm sole, which looks like a ballet shoe from a few feet away. Choose Caitlin for everyday and travel, Flavia for dinners and the office.

Ballet flats

For a classic flat: the Erika is a topstitched lace-up ballet flat, the Solenne a ruched drawstring ballet flat in vegan leather and satin, the Kayla a flat shoe with a woven strap and the Ava a lace-up flat in denim and mesh, all on a 1 to 1.5 cm sole; the Zoe is a Mary Jane. They are lighter than the sneakers and a little less forgiving on long walks.

The pairs to buy

1. Caitlin Lace-up Ballerina Sneakers in Beige, $250

Upper in faux suede fabric, a low sole, lined in fabric.

2. Erika Topstitching lace-up Ballet Flats in Black, $250

Upper in vegan leather, a low sole, lined in fabric.

3. Erika Topstitching lace-up Ballet Flats in Silver, $250

Upper in vegan leather, a low sole, lined in fabric.

4. Erika Topstitching lace-up Ballet Flats in White, $250

Upper in vegan leather, a low sole, lined in fabric.

5. Flavia Ballerina Sneakers in Pink, $250

Upper in satin fabric, a low sole, lined in satin fabric.

6. Ava Lace-Up Mesh Flats in Burgundy, $290

Upper in mesh, a low sole, lined in vegan leather.

7. Ava Lace-Up Mesh Flats in White, $290

Upper in mesh, a low sole, lined in vegan leather.

8. Iria Lace-Up Ballet Flats in Light Brown, $290

Upper in faux suede fabric, a low sole, lined in vegan leather.

9. Zoe Mary Jane Flats in Burgundy Black, $290

Upper in faux suede fabric, lined in vegan leather.

10. Ava Lace-Up Flats in Denim Blue, $310

Upper in denim, a low sole, lined in vegan leather.

11. Kayla Weave Strap Flat Shoes in Black, $310

Upper in vegan leather, a low sole, lined in vegan leather.

12. Kayla Weave Strap Flat Shoes in Claret Red, $310

Upper in vegan leather, a low sole, lined in vegan leather.

Fit

JW PEI gives no size-up advice on these styles, so buy your chart size; the conversion is in our shoe size guide. Microsuede and satin do not stretch much, so a snug pair will stay snug.

How to wear them

Wide-leg trousers and a cardigan; a long satin skirt and a T-shirt; straight jeans with the hem cropped above the ankle. Add white socks with the Caitlin for the sporty version. A Hana tote makes it a work outfit and a Yara makes it a weekend one.

Ballerina sneaker versus ballet flat

Choose the sneaker if you walk a lot: the rubber sole is grippier and the lace-up front holds the foot, so the shoe does not slip at the heel the way a soft ballerina can. Choose the ballet flat if you want something lighter to wear with tailoring and dresses; the Solenne in satin and the Erika in vegan leather are the most polished. Many people own one of each: the sneaker for weekends and travel, the flat for work. Both sit on a sole of about a centimetre, so neither gives much arch support; add an insole if you need one, and size with that in mind.

Colours

The Caitlin comes in beige, black, pink, light brown and two-tone faux suede colourways such as burgundy with light grey; the Flavia in apricot, black, brown and pink satin, and the ribbon-lace Flavia in dark brown and white with silver. Neutral tones work hardest; the two-tones are the ones to buy if the shoe is meant to be the accent.

Care

Brush microsuede with a soft brush and keep it dry; spot clean satin with a barely damp cloth and never machine wash. Store the pair in its dust bag, stuffed with tissue to hold the shape.

Frequently asked questions

What are JW PEI ballerina sneakers?

Ballet flats built on a rubber sneaker sole. JW PEI makes the lace-up Caitlin and the satin Flavia.

Are JW PEI Caitlin sneakers real suede?

No. The brand lists the upper as suede fabric, a synthetic microsuede, and some colourways as faux suede.

Do JW PEI ballerina sneakers run true to size?

Yes, by the brand’s account. Coveti converts US to EU with the brand chart.

How high is the sole?

1 to 1.5 cm on the ballerina sneakers and ballet flats, by the brand’s specification.

How much are JW PEI ballerina sneakers?

$250 to $320 at Coveti; ballet flats $250 to $310.

Are ballerina sneakers good for walking?

Better than a soft ballet flat, because the rubber sole grips and the laces hold the foot; with a sole of about 1 cm they still give little arch support.

Read next

All JW PEI shoes. Shoe size guide. How to style JW PEI. All designer flats. Designer sneakers.