Gen Z convinced me to buy trendy ballet flats. They never left my closet.

• Iterations of ballet shoes have been massively popular since 2022.
• Though I hadn’t worn the style in a decade, I was convinced to buy into the trend.
• Now, I have a cute pair of flats I rarely wear — and lingering buyer’s remorse.

I scrolled through designer websites, searching for the , a chartered psychologist, fashion-business consultant, and author of “The Psychology of Fashion,” I might have been participating in “aspirational buying” — or making a purchase that reflected an idealized version of myself that would bring me closer to achieving an aesthetic that I find attractive.

Or, she said, I could have been following the lead of Gen Z in seeking out “nostalgia, the cyclical nature of fashion trends, and a desire for comfort and practicality” that goes hand in hand with a Y2K style like flats.

There’s also the possibility that I simply just wanted something new.

“The concept of hedonic consumption describes how we derive emotional and sensory pleasure from buying and owning new items,” Mair explained. “This can drive us to make purchases that are more about the joy of acquisition than practical use.”

Making the most of my purchase

I’m unsure how much longer ballet flats will be considered chic. After all, the Lita platforms I mentioned are quickly making a comeback.

Fashion history seems to be repeating itself, and I have to admit that I got sucked into a cute but, for me, impractical trend.

It’s a phenomenon that’s existed as long as there’s been fashion.

“Adhering to trends offers a way to participate in collective identity, which fosters a sense of belonging and community, and the power of social influence, which includes the impact of celebrities, influencers, and peer groups,” Mair said.

I don’t mind being part of that collective. I still think ballet flats are adorable, and I’m going to try my best to wear them more often than I have in the past year.

But I can no longer ignore that my buyer’s remorse is longer-lasting than the momentary thrill of making the shoes mine.