Plié your way into the balletcore aesthetic with these essential items
Amongst Arcteryx gorpcore and the return of chunky Y2K, balletcore is providing the internet with some needed elegant relief. We can only thank the off-duty looks of Bella Hadid and Sydney Sweeney for bringing back comfort and sophistication, as well as the luxury brands that are catering to the new demand. Dior took a gothic approach to balletcore for their SS23 runway, and fashionable suitors followed with Black Swan-esque fits that went beyond the Natalie Portman character for Halloween and into everyday smoky eyes and slick-back buns.
Donning the likes of fan-favourite Miu Miu flats and Molly Goddard tulle dresses, the look centres on the prima ballerina before-practice — sitting around in mini UGGs and mesh V neck bodysuits with a “sorry I’m late to rehearsal” glow. Here, HUNGER has compiled some of the best performance-wear fashion for the aspiring pointe dancer, as we tiptoe into the new fashion trend with our head held high.
Our first pick, of course, is the satin Miu Miu ballet flat. How could it not be? Starting the whole thing, we hark back to SS16, where the brand took ballet core and jeté’d into the dance-inspired fashion stratosphere. Ariana Grande, Cynthia Eviro, Bella Hadid, Rosalía: you name them, the ‘It’ girls are wearing them. Seen paired with the likes of pleated midis or leather shorts to elevate the shoe, the delicate slipper comes in red, blue, white, black and pink satin to prove the possibilities of your own balletcore interpretations are endless. The brand even has a silver buckled version for the punk prima, complete with gingham straps and patent leather.
Conceptual knitwear brand A. Roege Hove have knitted the perfect companion for the ballet flat in their Cotton Nylon blend that sculpts to the wearer. Dainty and ruffled, the accessories are sure to keep you warm for a balletcore winter inspired by the best. With a tie string, the ribbed knit lies perfectly over your kitten heel for a ballerina on the town, or can sit pretty over your choice of slippers.
Wolford X Mugler Mesh Panelled Tights
The Wolford X Mugler collab has served up the perfect mesh-panelled pink, red, purple and black with stretch design pull-up tights. With a body-contouring design, the exposed seams see a new side to the seamless ballerina, and adds a deconstructed element for your ballet fit. Pair with a pastel wrap-around knit cardigan and bodysuit, or wear underneath a layered tulle dress for a Gossip Girl-esque refined take, with that slight rebellious spirit seeping through.
Another pair of flats (we can’t help ourselves), is the innovative take on balletcore that Marni has given us. Let your bun down with this fur detailed interpretation of the flat, serving slippers in its truest form and stripping back the hard shoe tip in favour of a snug boat-shaped dancer shoe. In an apt swan and black as well as light blue and chocolate or leapord colourway, the piece details fashion’s new obsession with balletcore and how pioneering into a comfortable design can transition into a grand gesture towards the art.
Molly Goddard Cumulus Dress in Ivory
Avant-garde as ever, Molly Goddard’s ivory tutu mini dress uses a stiff tulle with seven panels around the skirt for that on-brand White Swan look. The tight bodice and square neckline advances the classic ballerina cut, but withholds a lightweight skirt completely hand-smocked. It’s hard to keep eyes averted from the 41 metre-hem, and the dramatic silhouette is all we could have expected from the Queen of Tulle herself. Shop any Molly Goddard, and the ballerina inside has no choice but to glissade out, and take first position for fashion’s new favourite trend.
