Whimsy Meets Sustainability: Lola Tung Embraces Balletcore in Vivaia Ballerina Sneakers & 404 Studio Knit Dress for The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Promotion

Ballerina sneakers are taking over the fashion scene this season, with houses like Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton offering luxe, ballet-inspired hybrids.

With Lola Tung already carving out a reputation as a budding Gen-Z fashion icon, it’s no surprise she’s embraced the trend.

While promoting the third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Lola Tung — who stands 5ft 5 (165.1 cm) tall and wears a US shoe size 6 — showed how Gen Z styles ballerina sneakers.

Lola Tung is the breakout star of The Summer I Turned Pretty, playing the series’ main character, Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Credit: Ryan Hartford / startraksphoto / Cover Images / Amazon Studios)

She stopped by Live with Kelly & Mark, looking chic and demure in a 404 Studio mini dress paired with satin ballerina sneakers from Vivaia, a direct-to-consumer footwear brand that was founded in 2020.

Lola Tung channels balletcore charm in a tricolor 404 Studio knit mini dress, sheer polka-dot tights, and Vivaia’s satin ballerina sneakers outside the Live with Kelly and Mark studios in New York City on September 2, 2025 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Let’s check out her chic and romantic ensemble in more detail.

Vivaia’s Ballet Sneakers: Satin Elegance Meets Streetwear

Tung donned the silky gray “Cristina” lace-up ballerina sneakers from Vivaia, which combine the sophistication of traditional dancing shoes with the comfort of everyday street style.

The upper is crafted from smooth, eco-friendly silky satin that feels plush yet lightweight, offering a barefoot-like experience. These shoes feature squared toes, ribbon laces, and an elasticated heel counter, echoing the delicate lines of a ballerina pointe shoe while maintaining a secure fit.

Lola Tung wears this season’s shoe trend: ballet sneakers or sneakerina by Vivaia in silky satin with ribbon ties (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Beyond their trendy design, these ballet sneakers, also known as sneakerinas, are built for comfort. They boast a triple-layer rubberized sole that offers comfort and shock absorption, making them perfect for all-day wear despite their dainty look.

Featherlight and flexible, they move naturally with each step, striking a balance between ease and elegance. To top it off, they include two sets of laces, allowing wearers to switch between ribbons and classic ties to match any mood or occasion.

You can get them in light gold, black, and peach blush at Nordstrom for $159.

Ballet flats and their modern sneakerina counterparts continue to inspire designers and celebrities alike. For more fashion moments that spotlight this timeless yet evolving style, take a look at how stars have embraced ballet-inspired footwear on and off the red carpet:

Celebrities Reinvent Ballet Flats & Sneakerinas

404 Studio’s Knit Mini Dress: Playful Yet Edgy

Though I was drawn to Lola Tung’s shoe choice, the real focal point of her ensemble was a tri-colored mini dress from 404 Studio’s Fall 2025 collection. The knit dress hugged her figure in all the right places, framed by a clean, square black neckline and thick shoulder straps with large silver buckles that served as both functional and decorative accents.

The dress’s midsection was marl gray and had a deconstructed edge with distressed laddering that slashed across the torso in opposing directions like abstract arrows, revealing a glimpse of her midriff and underboob. This rawness was softened by the hem, which transformed the silhouette into a playful statement. A cloud-blue, textured bubble skirt finished the design, flaring high on the thigh, with its fluffy, almost shearling feel adding both whimsy and depth to the look.

Lola Tung pairs her white ballet sneakers with an equally whimsical tricolor knit mini dress by 404 Studio featuring a black square neckline with buckle-adorned straps, a gray bodice with distressed laddering, and a blue, fluffy, ruffled mini skirt (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Polka-Dot Tights, Choker & Coach Bag Add Personality

Tung leaned into balletcore with sheer polka-dot tights that added a playful, retro charm while maintaining a polished look. The pattern broke up the solid tones of her dress and shoes, adding a light, textural detail that complemented the whimsical nature of her outfit.

To balance the romantic flair, she added an edgy touch with a black cord choker, finished with a slim, dangling pendant, offering just enough contrast to keep the look from being too sweet. She paired it with classic thick hoop earrings, complementing the bolder choker.

Lola Tung accessorizes her mini dress with polka-dot sheer tights, Gentle Monster eyeglasses, a Coach bag, and a black cord choker necklace with a long, slim pendant (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Tung further accessorized with a pair of Gentle Monster “Pico 02” eyeglasses, featuring silver oval frames, which gave her a bookish, preppy edge. Her bag choice was a black crescent shoulder bag from Coach’s Alter/Ego collection, priced at $310. The collection featured a range of eco-conscious bags made from leather scraps from the brand’s Tabby and Brooklyn bags.

I love how Tung’s look championed sustainability, with her shoes and bag blending eco-conscious design with style.

When it came to her beauty look, Lola kept things understated. She styled her hair sleek and straight, with a middle parting, and wore soft pink makeup that kept her look fresh and romantic.

Y2K Throwback: Cropped Tee, Baggy Jeans & Pointy Pumps

Lola Tung was also spotted ahead of her appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, serving up an effortlessly cool Gen Z street style moment.

She wore a fitted blue, cropped tee that accentuated her waist, paired with low-rise light-wash baggy jeans that pooled over pointed-toe pumps, bringing a touch of 2000s nostalgia with a sophisticated twist. She completed her look with rectangular purple sunglasses, hoop earrings, and her black Coach bag.

Lola Tung channels Y2K vibes in a fitted blue cropped tee, low-rise light-wash baggy jeans, and bold purple sunglasses for a playful Gen-Z street style moment in New York City on September 2, 2025 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

From embracing balletcore sneakers to serving Y2K-inspired street style, Lola Tung continues to prove she’s a Gen-Z fashion force with staying power. Her red carpet choices and everyday looks highlight her versatility and growing influence in the style world.

Lola Tung Channels Gothic Elegance in Vintage Yohji Yamamoto at the Unforgettable Asian American Awards

Before stepping into The Summer I Turned Pretty’s press circuit, Lola Tung delivered a masterclass in gothic elegance at Unforgettable: The 20th Annual Asian American Awards.

Lola Tung poses with her The Summer I Turned Pretty co-star Sean Kaufman at Unforgettable: The 20th Annual Asian American Awards, exuding gothic-glam sophistication in a vintage Yohji Yamamoto Spring/Summer 1999 gown (Credit: Ryan Hartford / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)

Styled by Britt McCamey, the actress wore a vintage Yohji Yamamoto Spring/Summer 1999 ready-to-wear gown featuring sculptural folds, sheer tulle sleeves, and a dramatic floor-sweeping skirt. This outfit balanced quiet confidence with avant-garde sophistication.

Lola Tung wearing a vintage Yohji Yamamoto Spring 1999 gown paired with black pumps and a Chris Habana tribal thorn choker at Unforgettable: The 20th Annual Asian American Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 18, 2022 (Credit: Ryan Hartford / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)

Before you go, let’s take a look at how other stars are stepping out in statement heels that define red-carpet sophistication and timeless glamour.

Celebrities Who Turn Heads in Designer Heels