If there’s a form of dance that fashion always takes inspiration from, it’s arguably Ballet. Whether it’s a regular ballet rehearsal or a full-on stage performance, there’s a lot of inspiration and style to take from ensembles that epitomize the balletcore aesthetic.

Before we make a grand jeté (that’s ballet speak that means “leap”, for you) into balletcore style, let’s first trace the roots of this time-transcending aesthetic.

Ballet first came into stage in the 15 ^th century, during the Italian Renaissance. It now comes as no surprise that the artistic dance form came into entertaining life during what is considered the pinnacle of creative and cultural development.

In the 1400’s, ballet was danced during opulent, aristocratic wedding festivities. However, at that period in time, what we now associate as balletcore style was nowhere to be seen. Women were instead dancing ballet in the current fashion, which at that time, meant they were dancing ballet while wearing formal, ankle-length gowns.

By the 1800’s, ballet had become popular throughout Europe. It was also in this century, when the romantic movement in art, literature, and theatre took place, that ballet was also romanticized.

Romanticizing ballet meant that choreographers would orchestrate steps and dance sequences that appeared light, ethereal, and free. It was as if ballerinas were angelic beings that were floating through the air in dance. As ballerina’s pirouetted across the stage and were effortlessly lifted in the air, their costumes began to reflect this weightless, delicate, and ultra-feminine quality. This then marked the beginnings of what we know today as balletcore.

Fast forward to the 20 ^th century and balletcore styles were as popular as the dance itself. While the actual “balletcore” term may not yet have been conjured, ballet-inspired style was in the spotlight, especially in movies and TV shows.

Of course, there were also cult favorite movies like Center Stage and Step Up, as well as critically acclaimed films like the Black Swan, which put the spotlight on balletcore style. While the dance-centric movies set the perfect scene for balletcore, the aesthetic made its way off-screen and into everyday fashion.

Over the years, even Taylor Swift relevé-d to the top of the music industry with balletcore references. From a music videos to an album cover, Taylor’s version of balletcore was an aesthetic that she used to Speak Now ­–pun intended. Most recently, even Selena Gomez slipped into a pretty tulle skirt and tied a pair of ballet flats on for her music video.

Balletcore has been popular with non-ballerinas for awhile now and it’s not going off-stage anytime soon. If the most recent fashion shows are anything to go by, the balletcore aesthetic is going to dominate fashion for many more months to come. Having said that, how do you now take inspiration from this ethereal and angelic, while simultaneously provocative and fun aesthetic? Easy. You’ll find everything you need here at Boogzel and we’re going to give you the step by step into balletcore style.

Starting from the bottom, for both dancers and non-dancers alike, the easiest and simplest way to incorporate balletcore style into your everyday wardrobe is by putting on a pair of ballet slippers or ballet flats. Ballet flats can pretty much go with anything and everything you already have in your closet and wear on the regular.

You need not look any further than Bella Hadid who wears her ballet flats with anything from sweats to skirts. Mother-daughter duo Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber prefer to pair their ballet flats with jeans, as do Dua Lipa, Kate Bosworth, and Michelle Williams. Jennifer Lawrence, on the other hand, opts for shorts, while Anne Hathaway and Hailey Bieber prove that even off-stage, you can never go wrong with ballet flats and any type of skirt.

While ballet flats are chic and can take you everywhere all throughout the day, ballet heels are another option you should explore for fun nights out. Look like you’re on-pointe without being on your tippy toes. Blake Lively went for ballet heels and a tulle embellished dress, as did Carrie Bradshaw in another episode of Sex and the City. With luxury brands like Ferragamo offering up high heel, strappy ballet slippers for Spring/Summer 2025, And Just Like That, we may just see Carrie step into another pair of ultra-balletcore heels.

In the dance studio and on stage, ballet slippers can never go without a pair of tights or leg warmers. While black tights are a cold weather staple, pairing them with a leotard a la Kendall Jenner, or with ultra-short booty shorts will give your look the balletcore vibe. You can also ditch the standard black tights and go for a pair of white or blush pink tights for a true ballerina look, just like Sydney Sweeney and Gigi Hadid.

Socks and leg warmers are another great leg accessory to borrow from your favorite ballerinas. Like Hailey Bieber, you can put on a pair of socks before you slip your ballet flats on. If you’d like to push the balletcore envelope further, wear a statement pair of leg warmers over either heels or flats. It’s the style that both Bella Hadid and Black Pink’s Jennie went for.

Making our way up, a tulle ballet skirt is undoubtedly a quintessential garment when it comes to balletcore style. It’s sheer and airy quality makes it perfect for floating across any stage while on pointe or even while walking down the street. Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Blake Lively are just a few of the balletcore-loving celebrities who have stepped into a fun and feminine tulle skirt.

Of course, a tulle skirt isn’t the only type of skirt that perfectly fits into the balletcore style. A flowy silk skirt, a soft wrap skirt, a mini skirt with ruffles, or even an asymmetrical or layered mini skirt can all fit in the balletcore style and give you the perfect ballerina look. When it comes to your ballet-inspired bottoms, the most important design details to think of are: soft, flowy, feminine, and delicate.

There are a few options that you can choose from to top off your pretty, balletcore skirt. A plain fitted tank top, fitted cropped top, fitted halter, fitted corset or a simple, fitted long sleeve top will work wonders. If you’ll notice, the one thing that they all have in common is that they’re tight or fit close to the body. Just like all ballerinas wear, a tight top that allows for ease of movement is the perfect contrast to your balletcore skirt, whether you choose a layered tulle style or a soft wrap skirt.

If the weather is a little colder or you’d just prefer something a little more covered up, a knitted top is also an ideal option for your balletcore ensemble. Wear a knit cardigan on its own or layer it over your tank top for the just-came-out-of-rehearsals look. Alternatively, you can also wear an off-shoulder knitted top for an effortlessly sexy and alluring ballet-inspired outfit. Just imagine that iconic off-shoulder image of actress Jennifer Beals from the classic movie Flasdance. While it may not be ballet exactly, the vibe you’re going for is the same – dancer off-stage.

Lilly Allen went full balletcore in a pink, tiered tulle skirt topped with a matching pink cardigan. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lawrence took the key balletcore elements and gave them a streetstyle spin, wearing a red off-shoulder knit top with jeans, ballet flats, and an easy updo. Whichever you prefer, both actresses show that you can make balletcore entirely your own.

We started at the bottom and now we’re here - to your hair and its crowning glory. The only way to top off your balletcore outfit is with, of course, a sleek bun. There’s a reason why ballerinas are called bunheads – because the sleek, pulled back bun is always associated with the exquisite dancers who float through the stage and spin in the air with their beautiful faces in full view. Whatever you may be wearing, one way to take inspiration from ballerinas is by fixing your hair the way they do – pulled all the way back in a tight and smooth bun.

Balletcore isn’t just about specific garments and silhouettes. Little design details can also lend a strong balletcore style to whatever outfit you may be wearing. One balletcore design detail that you can fully incorporate into your everyday outfits is a ribbon or bow. Wear a feminine ribbon with your sleek bun or clip on bows along your tresses, put on a necklace with a bow detail, slip into a top that’s tied together by silk ribbons, or wear a wrap skirt a ribbon closure. A silk bow will perfectly tie your balletcore outfit together.

Last but not least, if there’s one color associated with ballet, it’s undoubtedly blush pink. After all, brides aren’t the only blushing beauties. We can count ballerinas among them too!

Gwyneth Paltrow, Hailey Bieber, Florence Pugh, Ariana Grande, and Phoebe Dynevor are just some of the fashion darlings who’ve looked show-stoppingly beautiful in uber-feminine and ballerina-esque in blush pink creations. Whether it be a dress, a top, a skirt, or a show stopping gown, wearing blush pink will also leave you looking ready to pirouette across a stage, walk down a red carpet, or perhaps, even just sashay into your favorite bar.

Whether you’re a full-fledged prima ballerina, or if you were a little girl who dreamed of dancing in Swan Lake, or perhaps, you just love the ballet aesthetic, Boogzel has all the fashion essentials you need to live out your balletcore dreams.