Harry Styles caused a stir at the 2026 Grammy Awards, prompting fresh discussion about the future of men's fashion. The British singer made a surprise appearance on stage to present Album of the Year, but it was his unexpected footwear that ignited discussions.
On one of the greatest evenings for music, he donned a pair of mint green Dior ballerina flats that seemed to revolutionise how guys might express style.
Harry Styles' Bold Grammy Choice
Although he skipped the traditional red carpet walk, Styles' late-night entrance on the stage was anything but low-key.
Styles wore a custom Dior look designed by creative director Jonathan Anderson and styled by long-time collaborator Harry Lambert. He flaunted a nipped-waist grey Bar jacket with no shirt underneath, paired with straight-leg jeans. The mix of tailored jacket and casual denim somehow made the ensemble feel effortless.
His mint green ballet flats, from Dior's Spring/Summer 2026 collection, added a pop of colour to his overall look. Surprisingly, they were not sneakers or loafers. They were ballet-inspired leather flats with bow accents—a detail not commonly seen in men's awards-season style.
His footwear pick, together with traditional denim and tailoring, made for one of the most memorable menswear moments of the night.
How Fashion Houses Are Embracing Men's Ballet Flats
Dior isn't the only fashion house experimenting with ballet-inspired footwear for men. L'Officiel reports that Balenciaga and Marni were also among the first high-end brands to make men's ballerina flats more popular.
The style has been gradually incorporated into menswear during Paris Fashion Week and other recent runway shows, ranging from flat, slipper-like designs to Mary-Jane styles and hybrid flats. These flats occasionally appeared on catwalks as far back as fall/winter 2024, including Dior Men presentations, though many designs remained niche and not widely commercialised.
For menswear shoppers interested in adopting the trend now, some designers already offer ballet flat shoes. For instance, Lemaire's Ballerina Ballet Flats are available in classic leather with a minimalist profile that suits both casual and elevated outfits.
Footwear Freedom Expands for Men
Traditionally, ballet flats have been rooted in womenswear and performance wear, like Repetto or classic satin ballerinas. Luxury brands such as Dior and Maison Margiela have been quietly reshaping the rules, placing ballet-style flats and Mary Jane silhouettes on men's runways.
It's not just the big fashion houses experimenting. Shops like Aeyde and Mansur Gavriel are now offering a variety of ballerina and V-cut flats for men, ranging from sleek, gender-neutral designs to more playful and budget-friendly alternatives.
Meanwhile, Styles isn't the only celebrity nudging ballet flats into the spotlight. Other male celebrities push similar footwear boundaries. It's almost like a small revolution is happening one stylish step at a time.
Jacob Elordi was seen on The Jimmy Kimmel Show in loafers that, at a glance, carried the same whimsical, bow-adorned vibe often likened to ballet slippers. This is only another proof that men are starting to experiment with their shoes.
Are Men Ready to Experiment?
That pair of pastel green flats Styles wore wasn't just a quirky choice, but a statement that signals a shift from the norm. For years, men's awards-season footwear has leaned on classic dress shoes, chunky trainers, and rugged boots. By stepping out in these ballet flats, Styles hinted that menswear might finally be ready to embrace a softer, more traditionally feminine forms.
This moment is part of a broader shift in fashion, one where long-held rules are quietly being rewritten. Accessories like jewellery, scarves, and pearls have previously been accepted as expressive components in men's tailoring. Extending that flexibility to footwear is an obvious next step.
With their soft profile and nods to retro elegance, ballet flats offer an alternative that's both practical and expressive. They're not just for celebrities, but anyone looking to shatter shoe norms can do the same.
While this won't immediately replace classic men's footwear staples, it does suggest that fashion's rules are loosening. Pastel, neutral, embellished—whatever style or colour you like, these ballet flats are a fresh addition that could give your seasonal rotation a playful, modern edge.
