What Is Balletcore? A Ballet-Inspired Style Guide

The aesthetic of the ballet studio has been out on the street for a few seasons now: soft tones, flowing fabrics, ankle-tie details and, of course, ballet flats. Its name is balletcore.

What defines balletcore?

• A soft color palette. Powder pink, cream, gray, pale lilac, black.
• Light fabrics. Tulle, fine knit, satin.
• Wrap details. Ribbons, ankle ties, wrap necklines.
• Ballet flats. The heart of this aesthetic; round toe and flat sole.

How to wear it without turning it into a costume

The trap of balletcore is obvious: push it too far and it looks like a ballet costume. The way to avoid it is to use a single ballet reference and keep the rest everyday.

1. Flats + jeans

The easiest one. A simple flat under straight or wide-leg jeans adds lightness to the look. Leaving the ankle bare lengthens the silhouette.

2. Tulle skirt + chunky sweater

Tulle on its own is a statement; it's balanced when worn with a thick, even slightly oversized sweater. Simple flats on the feet.

3. Knit dress + ankle socks

For autumn, a fine-knit midi dress, short white socks and flats. Nostalgic but timeless.

4. The lace-up style

A flat with laces that wrap around the ankle is at its strongest when it's the only ballet detail in the outfit. Solid-color trousers alongside are enough.

Why are jelly flats a good choice?

Classic fabric flats have two well-known problems: they can't be worn in the rain and the inside gets dirty quickly. Jelly flats solve both — they're unharmed by water, wipe clean and the MELFLEX sole stays flexible all day. Plus, thanks to their unlined build, they're comfortable in summer too.

Size and comfort

With flats, it's important that the foot isn't squeezed under the strap. Jelly styles that feel slightly snug at first take the shape of your foot in no time; still, if you're between sizes, check our size guide.

Where to start

All our flat styles are in the flats collection. If you're after a clean, modern line, the Possession family is a good place to start; for the classic ballet flat shape, try the Ultragirl family. For the little ones, Mini Melissa flats bring the same aesthetic to kids' sizes.