Sydney Sweeney’s bubblegum dress is a masterclass in balletcore
This ultra-feminine trend is taking TikTok by storm.
Fashion and ballet are old friends. They have a relationship that goes back decades. From Audery Hepburn’s iconic ballet flats to Carrie Bradshaw walking the streets of New York in a white tulle skirt and a pink tank top, images of balletcore have cropped up throughout fashion history. And right now it’s enjoying its moment in the sun. Again. Most recently, Sydney Sweeney looked like a prima ballerina at the 2022 LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles.
In an outfit that looked like it was lifted from Cassie’s (if you’re wondering who that is, we suggest you catch up on your shows) wardrobe, Sweeney attended the event in a whimsical bubblegum-pink mini dress from Giambattista Valli's Fall 2022 Couture Collection. The dress features voluminous floral sleeves, a plunging neckline and pleated silhouettes. The outfit was en pointe with matching stockings and metallic silver platform heels for the event. But for the images that she shared on Instagram, the 25-year-old Emmy nominee stuck to the trend and put on a pair of ballet shoes.
Sweeney’s ensemble is the most precise translation of the balletcore aesthetic. This season, the trend has been worn on and off runways. It’s also gaining fast traction on TikTok (arguably the breeding ground for sub-genre trends). If you’re thinking of owning this trend, do it. It’s not as difficult as the dance but is inspired by the fabrics, silhouettes and colours found in the outfits that ballerinas wear. This trend is a sub-genre of the princesscore and cottagecore aesthetics. It’s all about embracing your femininity and channelling it through your outfits. Think pastel-hued leotards, bodysuits, corsets paired with flowy skirts, tulle dresses, stockings and of course, ballet flats.
As with most trends that stick around, it’s easy to re-imagine balletcore. You can bring sexy back with corset tops and tulle skirts or you can take the athleisure-glam route with stockings, and wrapped sweaters.
Are you ready to pirouette with balletcore?