Fashion Week. TikTok. The depths of my subconscious circa 2005. There’s another Y2K aesthetic being brought back to life, only this time, she’s had a rebrand: balletcore.
Despite the name, balletcore’s less about tutus, more about teen dramas. Don’t believe us? Some of the aesthetic’s key pieces – think ballet flats, tube tops, cropped cardigans and maxi skirts – were the sartorial backbone of the 2000s thanks to iconic shows like The O.C., Laguna Beach and (later) The Hills.
Whether you streamed (*ahem*, binged) them during lockdowns, still have the OG boxed-set DVDs or simply stan nostalgic IG accounts like @spaghettistrapsoftheoc, there’s no denying the chokehold this very specific aesthetic had on pop culture. Ready to take the look for another spin? (Twirl? Pirouette?). Here’s how we’re wearing balletcore in 2022…








From The Top
This era was the epitome of “jeans and a nice top”, and Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts were its poster girls. There’s four seasons’ worth of styling inspo here, especially when it comes to night-out outfits. Take your cues from Orange County royalty and team your low rise jeans with a hero piece above – tube tops, strapless tops, halters and corset tops are all picks that’d make Marissa proud. For bonus points, layer on a few long pearl necklaces and a generous swipe of bronzer.
From The Top



Matching Sets
Nod to balletcore’s dancewear roots with chic coords that’ll seamlessly take you from Barre to brunch. Recreate Hailey Bieber’s pastel activewear look with a leotard or crop top teamed with matching bike shorts, with fresh white sneakers to keep vibes clean. On the flip, Bella Hadid elevating her grey sweats with dainty ballet slippers is all the inspo we need to pair our loungewear with something other than lace-ups.
Matching Sets


Give Them The Slip
For an ensemble that feels a little more luxe, we’re all about silky separates and sweeping hemlines. Get a little more mileage out of that satin slip skirt and pair it with a silk evening top or fitted cardigan, or tuck a slinky camisole into matching trousers for an elegant take on transeasonal workwear (bring a blazer to squash any side-eye from HR). With style icons like Matilda Djerf and Aimee Song on board, you know it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be seeing this look everywhere.
Give Them The Slip

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