I’ve been dancing ballet since I was a child. Over the decades, and now into the second half of my 30s, I have remained a good steward of my love of the art form. Over the years, wherever I’m living, I always find a nearby studio where I can don my leotard and exercise my love of centuries-old movement.
My stomach turned a little pirouette of excitement when I heard about the balletcore trend jeté-ing its way through the fashion world. The hyper-feminine looks are already cropping up everywhere, from Milan Fashion Week to TikTok.
After a few years of living through a pandemic, it’s no wonder people want to focus on a more fun, light, playful, and ethereal style. Balletcore fits that need for people who want to lighten up their look. In ballet, you are constantly striving to achieve the next level, and professionals believe that effort should come across in the look.
“Balletcore is beautiful, but it’s worked in, sweated in,” says Katherine Barkman, a soloist at the San Francisco Ballet. “Don’t be fooled by the frilly side. Dancers are tough — and so is our style.”
The balletcore style is romantic, ethereal, light, airy, and just a little bit magical. While wearing ballet attire may conjure images of A Midsummer Night’s Dream fairies dancing merrily in the forest without a care, it’s also meant to serve a highly functional purpose.
Barkman says that the key to mastering balletcore is authenticity. “That’s the beauty of ballet style,” she notes. “Dancers wear what feels comfortable and right for their own studio look. Some dancers go for light colors and tulle, while others, like myself, take a more vintage, edgy approach.”
Matching to both your own personal style and body is key. “Try a bodysuit that feels right, a pair of ballet flats with your favorite jeans,” Barkman says. “Or do what I do, and instead of spending money on a fancy wrap sweater, you can cut up an old sweatshirt to give yourself an off-the shoulder look. Balletcore should really mean elegant authenticity.”
If you’re keen to dip your pointed toe into the trend, here is the palette and pieces to effortlessly make yourself look and feel like a true prima ballerina.
Color
Many people associate a pale-pink color with ballet. “Wearing pastels is a great way to represent balletcore style,” says Betsy McBride, a soloist at the American Ballet Theatre. “I personally love baby-pink anything.” But don’t worry if you’re not a pink person.
Black, cream, lavender, and beige are all classic and elegant colors that are great for balletcore. You can use them as a jumping-off point to style something your way. Love an emerald green? Rock a green leotard. There’s no right way to balletcore. Make it your own.
Tights
Tutus and tights are among the most iconic style pieces of the ballet world. While you probably don’t want to go on your morning coffee run wearing a pancake tutu — try getting through the café door in that thing! — a pair of strong tights is transferable to the real world.
Throw on a pair; any color will do. And as we roll into the warmer months of the year, ditch footed tights for footless ones, making it easier to slip on a pair of sandals or lightweight tennis shoes.
Flats
Pointe shoes are one of the most iconic elements of ballet style — not to mention one of the most painful and challenging. You don’t need a pair of Gaynor Minden pointe shoes to dabble in this trend. Opt for something in place of pointe shoes or canvas ballet slippers, such as ballet-inspired flats. You’ll look the part, and you won’t need any lamb’s wool to ease the pain from this pair of shoes.
Leotard
Leotards are staples of ballet class attire. As time marches on, leotards have become increasingly inspired and artistic, so exercise creativity with your “leo” selection. You won’t be resigned to a standard black leotard, unless that’s your thing, in which case, go for it.
The dance staple is versatile too. Wear a leotard with a skirt to glam up your look, or dress them down with denim shorts. Leotards offer maximum comfort and style, along with a gorgeous silhouette that flatters any body type. McBride says she likes to wear a sleek black leotard as a bodysuit with skinny jeans.
Sweater
Layering is an important foundation of dance wear. “Balletcore is the perfect balance of garments that are comfortable like a security blanket yet romantic and ethereal,” says veteran ballet dancer Dustin Crumbaugh, who adds, “Layers, warmth, and support are the key ingredients to the otherwise quirky aspects of a dancer’s typical work outfit.”
Include an oversize sweater, lightweight ribbed cardigan, or a soft wrap sweater to your balletcore ensemble. Sweaters and sweatshirts are a studio staple; you’ve got to keep your body warm until it gets fully warmed up after barre exercises. An oversize sweater layered over a leotard or corset-like top may have people thinking you’re on the way to the studio for a Giselle rehearsal.
Corset Top
Speaking of corset tops, in a classical ballet like Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty, ballerinas wear tutus on top of bodices fitted to the dancer’s body. Thanks to Regencycore, another popular trend inspired largely by Bridgerton, corset tops are everywhere, so you might already have one. It'll work just well with a balletcore ensemble.
Flair
In a ballet like The Nutcracker, flairs like ruffles, sparkles, bows, and tulle are omnipresent. These costuming elements help to create the ballet story’s atmosphere and otherworldliness. Adding a bit of flair to balletcore could include a bejeweled headband, glittery top, or skirt with tulle. It doesn’t need to be overthought or expensive; a little piece of fun flair can go a long way.
Anne McCarthy is a freelance writer who splits her time between the U.S. and Europe. She has contributed to the BBC, The Guardian, Wired, Cosmopolitan, and Business Insider.
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