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No need to break a sweat; balletcore is not an intense workout that focuses on your core muscles. Instead, it's the aesthetic making a comeback for 2025 after pirouetting across TikTok and Pinterest last year.
If the spring/summer 2025 runways are anything to go by, all things ballet, from strappy flats to cross-waist jumpers are coming back in a big way. Simone Rocha's models wore full tutus under cutout jumpers paired with crystal-embellished socks, Yuhan Wang leaned into the lace look with a bodysuit under a flouncy mini skirt, and Ferragamo took the trend literally with a high-fashion take on a barre look.
Balletcore embodies the idea of hyper-femininity, the aesthetic inspired by the performance costumes of dancers and the outfits they wear at rehearsals. However, 2025 marks the rise of balletcore 2.0, which has a slightly edgier slant to the original wave. If you're keen to get on the updated trend, think: super-sharp peplums a la JW Anderson (we're calling it Space Barbie) and bright, bordering lurid colours as seen in the Christopher Kane collection for Self-Portrait.
The much-loved Scottish designer brings his “so wrong it's right” aesthetic to the cult party wear label.
Then again, the original balletcore look is always a timeless bet, and makes for a really cute fitness 'fit to get your excited for your workouts. Wrap tops, bodysuits, sweetheart necklines, legwarmers, earmuffs, tulle, mini wrap skirts, ribbons, Ugg boots, the list goes on. Oh, and the ballet flats, of course.
The aesthetic has been found on several celebrities' feeds. Last summer, Olivia Rodrigo supported the trend in her music video 'Brutal'.
Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney was styled in a baby blue wrap top, with her hair up in the show's latest season. Her co-star Hunter Schafer and Alexa Demise are also spotted wearing essences of edgier Balletcore on their Instagrams last year.
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Fashion has always been inspired by ballet, dating back to the 1930s. Chanel's 1930s tulle gowns were inspired by the Cotillion Ballet production in 1932. Cut to the 21st century, and you still have designers either being inspired by the art form or designing costumes for the ballet, which Vivienne Westwood did for Vienna State Ballet in 2013. Zara even did a collection with the New York Ballet that consists of wearable ballet-inspired pieces.
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While some TikTok users have shared their excitement for the Balletcore trend, others have questioned it.
After all, Balletcore has roots in the 'Sad Girl 2014' aesthetic, as it was first inspired by the 2010 film Black Swan. There are many online concerns about the re-emergence of some Tumblr trends and its past of romanticising mental health. Not to mention, some of these mid-2010 trends were seen to be gatekeeping to specific groups of people. When searching these hashtags in 2014, there was barely any diversity in body sizes or inclusion of people of colour.
There is nothing wrong with liking these trends; however it's always good to be conscious of where they've stemmed from and how they could make certain people feel. So just remember that Balletcore is less about fitting into an ideal and more a aesthetic style inspo. The most important thing as you enter 2025 is to feel comfortable and confident in whatever you choose to wear.
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