A trend on the rise you may have seen scrolling through TikTok is ballerina-core; a style of dressing reminiscent of the ballerina-off-duty look, thrust into our collective fashion consciousness through the pseudo-horror film Black Swan. The trend looks like sheer skirts, leg warmers, shrugs, and wrap tops, and of course, ruching everywhere. Ballerina-core is always graceful, often accessorized with a low bun and delicate jewelry.
Looking through the history of different aesthetics, it’s clear that Ballerina-core holds its roots in Academia aesthetics, somewhat an offshoot of light academia combined with the romanticism of ballet as a lifestyle.
It’s an academic-based aesthetic because the goal isn’t to look like a professional ballerina, the goal is to look like a ballerina in training, like you just came back from a stretch class and just look this good naturally, even in light-pink spandex and nude tights. Recommended media to understand the look includes the aforementioned movie Black Swan, as well as the movies Bolshoi (2017), Suspiria (2018), and Ballet Shoes(2007). Barbie in the Pink Shoes (2013) could also work if you really don’t get it. But how is the look achieved? Really, anything in light, neutral tones will already get you halfway there, as long as the base is consistently a leotard-like top or bodysuit. Stores like Aritzia, Repetto Paris, and American Apparel will offer a solid amount of basics to purchase at a variety of price points. Accessorize with knitwear in almost any form, like sweaters, headbands, hand and leg warmers, and even hats. Bring a delicate quality to your overall outfit with a bow in your hair or small silver jewelry like the iconic Tiffany and Co. heart-tag bracelet every ballerina covets. Ballerina flats or the resurfacing UGG boots will serve well to bring your aesthetic closer to that of a dancer on duty.
Whether ballerina-core is here to stay or not will be discovered in the next few weeks, with the ever-shifting trend cycle yet to show if it will allow ballet-style wear to stick around. For now, though, rest assured because the look has been spotted on both influencers and models alike. The cozy aesthetic is perfect for the oncoming cold weather, and even if ballerina-core is deemed old news in a few weeks, the individual pieces will always be perfect basic layering pieces that could fit into almost any outfit.
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