It could only be someone as hopelessly preppy as me that would see this photo of Emmanuelle Alt and her adorable daughter and instantly jones for….the five-year-old girl’s look. But you must admit, she’s a pretty stylish kid, no?

{Thanks, Reading in Heels, for helping me track this one down!}

Take, for example, that black ballet flat she’s wearing. Is there anything more classic, more luxe, more works-with-absolutely-anything, than a perfect black ballet flat? Like a perfect black pump, they can be the holy grail of footwear. There is an endless supply of imposters to impede your search, but it makes finding the real deal so much sweeter!

Well, friends, I’m one step closer to being as well-dressed as a fashion editor’s kid (attainable goals are key), because I’ve found my holy grail. The most absolutely perfect black ballet flat I could ask for.

{Yep, those are my very own feet, making a rare Shopping’s My Cardio cameo.}

It’s London Sole’s Henrietta flat, a classic they’ve just updated in a sweet, sophisticated glazed croc-embossed leather. Do you know about London Sole? It’s the shop of dreams for a ballet-flat addict like me. Walk in the door, and you’re faced with floor to ceiling options – every ballet flat a girl could want. The brand practically invented the ballet! While they offer a half dozen different fits and silhouettes, the Henrietta is my personal favorite – a trim fit and a modern silhouette keep this style especially young.

These shoes are a worthy splurge in every sense of the word – at $245, they’re not much more than those Tory Burch flats we all have in our closets, but these are infinitely more timeless. And there’s no better place to invest than on a classic shoe you’ll wear daily. These take any outfit from girl-next-door to Jackie O. in a heartbeat, and work with everything from cuffed boyfriend jeans to a cocktail dress. I can’t help but feel refined and chic when I wear them. It doesn’t hurt that they fit like a glove (size up a tad – they’re European, after all), or that the glazed finish makes them considerably more understanding of Portland’s perpetually wet weather. And don’t let these delicate beauties fool you – they’re much more durable than they let on. They’ll stand up to years of regular wear (I speak from experience), content with an occasional spa trip to your favorite cobbler to keep them looking their best.

Black is the obvious choice, of course, if you’re still in the market for your holy grail. But the Henrietta in croc comes in so many gorgeous hues, it was a struggle for me to stick to the classics. The Racing Green feels so perfect for the fall (and would be amazing for the holidays), but I especially love that beautiful blue Ginger, which I’ve been pairing with all sorts of neutral ensembles (black, camel and heather grey) for a perfect pop of color this season.

Have you found your perfect black flat?

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