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Comparison Women’s flats and loafers

Chanel Ballerina Flat vs The Row Ava Ballet Flat: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Chanel Ballerina Flat if you want the definitive designer flat. Buy the The Row Ava Ballet Flat instead if you want quiet, perfect basics.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Chanel Ballerina Flat
Buy

Chanel Ballerina Flat

Best for The ballet flat

Typically $1,000–$1,200

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
The Row Ava Ballet Flat
Buy

The Row Ava Ballet Flat

Best for Quiet flat

Typically $790–$990

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureChanel Ballerina FlatThe Row Ava Ballet Flat
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$1,000–$1,200$790–$990
Best forThe ballet flatQuiet flat
Key featureCap-toe ballet flat with CC and grosgrainMinimal leather flat with an elastic topline
MaterialLambskinCalfskin
SoleLeatherLeather
FitRuns half smallTrue to size
Made inItalyItaly
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Material

Chanel Ballerina Flat: Lambskin; The Row Ava Ballet Flat: Calfskin.

Sole

Chanel Ballerina Flat: Leather; The Row Ava Ballet Flat: Leather.

Fit

Chanel Ballerina Flat: Runs half small; The Row Ava Ballet Flat: True to size.

Made in

Chanel Ballerina Flat: Italy; The Row Ava Ballet Flat: Italy.

Why buy it

Chanel Ballerina Flat: cap-toe ballet flat with CC and grosgrain; The Row Ava Ballet Flat: minimal leather flat with an elastic topline.

Made for

Chanel Ballerina Flat: the ballet flat; The Row Ava Ballet Flat: quiet flat.

Usual price

Chanel Ballerina Flat: $1,000–$1,200; The Row Ava Ballet Flat: $790–$990.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Chanel Ballerina Flat if you

  • you want the definitive designer flat
  • value timeless
Check Price Paid link

Choose the The Row Ava Ballet Flat if you

  • you want quiet, perfect basics
  • value logo-free
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best women’s flats and loafers.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Loro Piana Summer Walk

Loro Piana · Women’s flats and loafers

Loro Piana Summer Walk

Buy it if you want the most comfortable luxury loafer.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Quiet comfort
Typical price
$895–$1,050

Pros

  • Very comfortable
  • Light

Cons

  • Suede marks
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Gucci Jordaan Horsebit Loafer

Gucci · Women’s flats and loafers

Gucci Jordaan Horsebit Loafer

Buy it if you want a polished loafer for work and travel.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Heritage loafer
Typical price
$990–$1,150

Pros

  • Iconic
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • Heavy
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Chanel Ballerina Flat or The Row Ava Ballet Flat: which should I buy?

Buy the Chanel Ballerina Flat if you want the definitive designer flat. Buy the The Row Ava Ballet Flat instead if you want quiet, perfect basics.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Chanel Ballerina Flat usually costs $1,000–$1,200 and the The Row Ava Ballet Flat $790–$990. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Chanel Ballerina Flat or The Row Ava Ballet Flat: the full reasoning

Chanel Ballerina Flat or The Row Ava Ballet Flat? Both are strong women’s flats and loafers, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Chanel Ballerina Flat if you want the definitive designer flat, and buy the The Row Ava Ballet Flat if you want quiet, perfect basics. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Chanel Ballerina Flat wins on cap-toe ballet flat with CC and grosgrain. The The Row Ava Ballet Flat answers with minimal leather flat with an elastic topline. Material: Lambskin on the Chanel Ballerina Flat, Calfskin on the The Row Ava Ballet Flat. Sole: Leather on the Chanel Ballerina Flat, Leather on the The Row Ava Ballet Flat. Fit: Runs half small on the Chanel Ballerina Flat, True to size on the The Row Ava Ballet Flat. Made in: Italy on the Chanel Ballerina Flat, Italy on the The Row Ava Ballet Flat.

Reasons to buy the Chanel Ballerina Flat

Timeless, Comfortable after break-in, Strong resale. What to accept: pricey, thin sole. Usual price: $1,000–$1,200. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Chanel Ballerina Flat review.

Reasons to buy the The Row Ava Ballet Flat

Logo-free, Soft, Comfortable. What to accept: expensive for plain, thin sole. Usual price: $790–$990. Our verdict: buy. Read the full The Row Ava Ballet Flat review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best women’s flats and loafers has every other piece with its own call. Sole: rubber or rubber-studded soles last longer and grip better than thin leather soles on city pavements.

Also consider the Loro Piana Summer Walk ($895–$1,050): unstructured suede moccasin on a light rubber sole. Buy it if you want the most comfortable luxury loafer.

Also consider the Gucci Jordaan Horsebit Loafer ($990–$1,150): horsebit leather loafer with almond toe. Buy it if you want a polished loafer for work and travel.

Buyer tip

Classic loafers and flats in black, navy or tan rarely go on sale but do last for years with resoling; seasonal colors are discounted at the end of each season.

Buying in Europe: Italian and French sizes are used on most designer shoes, and they differ from US sizes by brand. Check the house’s own size chart, and remember that many Italian brands run about half a size small.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.