What's that? You didn't know that granny jeans are this summer's hottest denim trend? That's OK. Until very recently, nor did I. But once you clock it, you can't unsee it. From it-girl celebs to the chicest women on the street, absolutely everyone is wearing jeans that look like they've pinched from the wardrobes of extremely well-dressed older women. And the one thing they're all pairing them with: heeled ballerina shoes.

But first, let's rewind and unpack that granny jeans fad from scratch. Put simply, this new wave of denim is kind of like the middle-ground of denim: not too tight, but not too baggy; cut with subtle curves and lines without making the shape the star attraction. And, unlike mom jeans and boyfriend jeans, they're also a lot less prescriptive. There's no one-size-fits all approach to finding the perfect pair of granny jeans. For some, the look can be achieved with classic straight-leg jeans, while others might find a slight taper more flattering. That's probably why granny jeans have taken off in such a big way. If you look hard enough, there's a style to suit literally everyone.

Another big plus: granny jeans – like all jeans, you might argue – go well with absolutely everything. Yes, you can absolutely wear granny jeans and a nice top on a night out. Pair them with kitten heels and you'll be the belle of the cocktail bar. But for everyday? The fashion pack's shoe of choice this season is the heeled ballerina.

It makes sense. The shoe is a classic style with a faintly retro feel, as synonymous with Kaia Gerber (her fave's are Repetto's Camille shoe) as they are with classic style icons such as Jane Birkin (another big Repetto fan). In other words: they match the granny jeans' energy. Both pieces are polished and toe the ever-blurry line between smart and casual. Both pieces will stand the test of time and will compliment pretty much everything else in your wardrobe. Both pieces will become your go-tos on days when you only have five minutes to get dressed.

And at the end of the day, isn't that what we're all craving? To not only look effortless, but to feel it too. Trust me: once you start pairing granny jeans with ballerinas, you'll never look back. Don't know where to start? Here are five timeless ways to style the trend to see you through summer and beyond.