It's ballet flat season again, and these Quince dupes are the best affordable option out there

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We're not quite through winter yet, but I'm confident the worst of it is behind us. It's warm enough that I just broke out my favorite ballet flats from Quince, and I'm thrilled that they're still in good shape — but mostly, I'm just thrilled I finally get to wear something other than boots.

I'm an avid collector of flats. My rotation ranges from luxury pairs I save for special occasions, to wear-around-town flats made to slip on and go. This'll be my third season in a row wearing my Quince Italian Leather Glove Ballet Flats, which look nearly identical to Everlane Day Gloves. The key distinction is that Quince's cost $80 less.

Not all Quince dupes are worth it — but these flats are an exception

I haven't been precious about their upkeep, but my Quince Glove Ballet Flats still feel as great as the day I put them on. In fact, similar to the Day Gloves, they get more comfortable the more you wear them, with a high vamp for a secure, glove-like fit and supple Italian leather that feels soft from the first wear.

I started testing out Quince clothing a couple years ago, when shoes were still a pretty new category for the brand. Not all of Quince's shoes (or leather goods in general) are very good — as a rule, I avoid the shade "Cognac" or any design that's too structured. But for simple silhouettes like this, Quince offers a solid budget-friendly alternative.

Everlane perfected the design, but Quince made it more accessible

Everlane's Day Gloves come in many more colors than Quince, and their leather is a bit thicker and more rigid. I've walked miles in mine and they took absolutely no time to break in (which is really rare for leather dress shoes). Everlane also introduced me to the idea that good flats should have ventilation holes — a piece of knowledge I really could've used back in middle school when all my flats smelled liked sweaty feet.

It appears both pairs are made either in Vietnam or China and Vietnam. Unfortunately, whether it's due to tariffs or other economic factors, I've witnessed Everlane's prices skyrocket, while Quince's have remained steady. My search for a reasonably priced alternative to Everlane's modern basics is what drew me to Quince in the first place.

The bottom line

The simple silhouette and neutral tone of these shoes pairs with everything in my closet, which is helpful at a time of year when the forecast could go any direction. I still say you should proceed with caution when shopping Quince's "affordable luxury," but to me, its Glove Ballet Flats are a perfect example of a dupe done right.

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