All About The Trendy New Balletcore Aesthetic!

I don’t know about you, but my Pinterest has been flooded lately with everything balletcore — and it looks like it may be here to stay. A more recent phenomenon, balletcore is the sophisticated sister of cottagecore. It is feminine, dreamy, and focuses on elevated athleisure in neutral tones and blush pink. Much modern inspiration for it is taken from 2012 film Black Swan, but ballet-inspired fashion has swathed runways in tulle, lace, silk, and ruffles for a long time.

Balletcore today is about celebrating softness, femininity, and comfort; it’s something that looks beautiful on anyone. So, how do we get that balletcore look?

Basic balletcore staples to layer with other pieces include items like tights, leotards, and ballet flats: think Kendall Jenner’s recent tights-as-pants moment for inspiration. The leotard element can be worked with any bodysuit you already own, and tights act as a more upscale form of legging in creating the look; its sheerness adds a bit of intrigue and texture that is less present with a legging. Topping off the basics is the ballet flat, which is a perfect in-between for sneakers and heels. The design is more formal than a sneaker but retains comfort and simplicity due to its lack of heel. The ballet flat is timeless and always alluring. The core group of leotard, tights, and ballet flats can be added to any outfit for a hint of the balletcore aesthetic, if you’re not quite ready to commit. Trying out small, versatile details of a trend and seeing how it works for you is an important first step — it can help you decide if it feels right for you and is worth investing in or not.

Now, when you’re ready to commit more fully, there are some ways to accessorize and dress up an outfit to further the balletcore look. Tulle skirts are an easy way to do this at any length, in neutral shades or a blush pink. Legwarmers are equally popular, but less fancy, for that just-finished-class look. Styling choices, like slicked back buns and ponytails with hair ribbons, are a fitting choice; delicate accessories only add to their refined charm. Comfortable fitted sweatshirts and soft cardigans are great layering pieces, and anything ruffled or frilly works too. After all, balletcore is all about femininity and prettiness.

When stepping into balletcore, the key is to think pink, but mostly to wear what feels beautiful and comfortable. The great part is that many of these items can be found secondhand, too, and are simple enough to pair well with other items. Below are some other balletcore looks from our faves; they are great inspiration for styles to try out!