Not Loafers, Not Ballet Flats—The

Having long-rejected the discomfort that comes from wearing heels all day and night, I’m always on the lookout for flat-shoe trends that feel just as elegant and polished. My wardrobe is already well stocked with ballet flats and loafers but just recently I’ve come across a new flat-shoe trend that keeps cropping up in the wardrobes of the most stylish French women.

Sleek, refined and innately smart, T-bar flats are closing in on me this season. Conjuring memories of the school shoes I once wore every day, this season’s iterations feel distinctly grown-up, although I must admit that the “back-to-school” energy makes them perfect for September styling.

Not a far cry from fashion’s favourite Mary Janes, the T-bar flat is defined by its extra strand of leather that creates the T-shape across the foot. While T-bar shoes may have slipped under the radar in recent years, I first spotted their return in the form of summer sandals and heeled versions earlier this year—a warm-up act, if you will, for the closed-toe style coming to the fore right now.

Of course, it’s no surprise the French have already claimed them as a staple. Their mix of comfort, elegance and quiet sophistication feels quintessentially Parisian—and more than reason enough for me to add them to my own rotation.