Why the Balletcore Trend Goes Beyond Miu Miu's Flats and UGG's Ultra Mini Boots
And how it’s helping women heal their inner child.
Over the past season, we’ve been constantly hearing about Miu Miu‘s cult-loved ballet flats, Molly Goddard‘s tulle skirt and the unexpected comeback of UGG‘s Ultra Mini Boots. Gen Z’s preferred trend incubator TikTok can’t seem to get enough of the viral balletcore aesthetic, with the designated hashtag boasting over 142.1 million views. This generation has fully embraced the hyper-feminine elements of ballet and made it their own by incorporating wrap tops, bodysuits, sweetheart necklines, leg warmers, lots of tulle, mini wrap skirts and ribbons into their daily outfits.
@the.olivia.sage the balletcore fashion aesthetic is here! what do you guys think of this fall/winter fashion trend? will you be participating?! #fallfashion #fallfashionpredictions #fashionprediction #balletcore #ballerinacore #ballerinaaesthetic #balletcoreaesthetic #fashiontiktok #greenscreen ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design
Celebrities are not missing on the trend either, with the aesthetic easily found on the feeds of our favorite models, singers and actresses. Olivia Rodrigo fully embraced the trend last summer in the music video for her track “Brutal.” Meanwhile, Bella Hadid has been in her leg warmers, ballet pumps and bolero era. Not only has the Dutch-Palestinian model incorporated the aesthetic into her daily fits, but she also posted a photo on Instagram of her practicing ballet in a Black Swan-inspired look earlier in the summer. Most recently, we saw Sydney Sweeney wearing a full-on pastel pink, red carpet gown at the LACMA Art and Film Gala, which was not a favorite amongst the ballet community.
View this post on Instagram
But beyond the beautiful, dainty outfits and pretty pastel colors, many women are starting ballet in their 20s to befriend their inner child and improve their mental well-being. The term “adult ballet” has been searched on TikTok over 34.7 million times and the hashtag #startingballet has just reached 2 million views. In a video with over 101.8K likes, Annie Gora tells her community how starting ballet in her 20s helps her deal with work stress and seasonal blues. She adds, “I’ve always wanted to go to a dance class. My whole life, I’ve dreamed of it, and now that I am, it feels like home. Finally, I’m healing my inner child. Ballet makes me feel pretty and strong.”
@anniegora Starting ballet in my 20’: even on sad days 🩰 #ballerina #balletclass #ballet #adultballet #adultbeginnerballet #balletcore #aestheticballet #ballettok #ballettiktok ♬ Ballet – Ballet Dance Company
In another post, Tiana Victoria shares, “POV: you’re 25 taking ballet lessons for the first time because TikTok told you to heal your inner child.” Confidence, growth and self-love are some of the benefits TikTok users claim to achieve by trying out the balletcore movement. Classical ballet has always remained a popular childhood activity, which is why many young adults are practicing it again for fun and for getting out of their comfort zones. Other women are embracing the trend to question the patriarchal view of ballet as being “innocent” and “morally pure,” incorporating the aesthetic’s playful pretty details into provocative looks, fully embracing their sexuality and claiming body autonomy.
@tianatictoria pick up that hobby you’ve always pondered. I had so much fun #adultballet ♬ PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA – Beyoncé
However, we must not forget how long it has taken the ballet community itself to open up about the pressure ballerinas experience regarding their body image. This is why we need to be conscious of not over-romanticizing the aesthetic on social media — the only way forward is to keep on bringing body positivity and mental well-being to the forefront of the algorithm.
