Put us down for a pair, or twelve.
Regardless of the mob spouse aesthetic and #eclecticgrandpa developments dominating the primary few weeks of 2024, we’re happy to advise that #balletcore remains to be in — and Chanel simply proved it. On January 23, the long-lasting trend home despatched fashions down the runway of their Spring 2024 present at Paris Spring 2024 couture trend week in a sea of delicious silk bows, ruffled collars, and yards of delicate tulle. Accessorizing these dainty seems? White tights.
ICYMI, white tights aren’t only a trendy homage to Gossip Woman’s hosiery-wearing queen Blair Waldorf, however a direct nod to balletcore — clothes impressed by dance — and the prima ballerinas who don them. It could appear to be a refined wink on the aesthetic, however that’s precisely what makes it so fabulous.
Amongst the all-in developments which have been populating our TikTok feeds of late, like Barbiecore, white tights are a straightforward and accessible solution to embrace balletcore by including them to objects you have already got in your closet.
Chanel could also be doing it nicely in 2024, however the luxurious home isn’t the primary model to share their elevated interpretation of balletcore. Whereas many millennials’ first intro to the chicness that’s ballet clothes might have been 2000’s Middle Stage, there’s an extended historical past of the ballet aesthetic influencing trend offstage. This goes all the best way again to the 1830s and ’40s when European ballerina Maria Taglioni grew to become such a giant star that materials, corsets, and sweet have been named after her. 100 years later, within the 1930s, ballet formally made its entrance into the world of trend.
As Patricia Mears, the deputy director of FIT and curator of the 2020 exhibition “Ballerina: Vogue’s Trendy Muse”, instructed W Journal in 2022: “From the 1930s to the current, the tutu-inspired night clothes fabricated with supplies akin to silk tulle and chiffon had silhouettes impressed by her bell-shaped skirts and fitted bodices, and used colours lengthy related to ballet — primarily white and pink.”
Only a decade later, in 1942, the ballet flat was launched to the runway when designer Claire McCardell paired her designs with actual ballet slippers. It was a cheerful accident, with McCardell turning to those slippers after she was unable to supply footwear for a trend presentation as a consequence of wartime restrictions. The dance put on firm that equipped McCardell with slippers, Capezio, then started to make street-ready variations.
It was a becoming begin, contemplating that, as WhoWhatWear author Jasmin Fox-Suliaman famous in a latest article on the aesthetic, ballet has all the time existed on the cusp of change, typically appearing as a mirror to replicate wider societal concepts about gender, sexuality, and wonder.
Since then, manufacturers like Dior, Valentino, and Givenchy have tapped into the aesthetic on the runway, with celebrities like Natalie Portman (a long-time Dior darling) turning to the look on the purple carpet. And ballet-inspired types have trickled down into popular culture, popping up in exhibits like Intercourse and the Metropolis, in films like Portman’s Black Swan, and even HBO’s Euphoria.
In 2019, Max Mara’s pre-fall assortment featured fashions in mushy, streamlined knits lined up at ballet bars, and 2020 noticed Thom Browne dip into balletcore for males, along with his Spring 2020 present that includes male fashions and ballet dancers in tutus and ballet footwear (paired with structured Thom Browne blazers, after all).
More moderen variations of this aesthetic have been much less literal, with an emphasis on virtually every thing ballet — besides the tutu. According to the rise of athleisure, manufacturers and designers have been drawing inspo from ballet warm-up and apply gear (assume leotards, mushy wrap-like sweaters, and sweats). And up to date interpretations have pulled from not solely from the silhouettes related to the dance type, however the colors and drapes of material.
This was on full show within the Fall 2022 collections, when Miu Miu inarguably ushered in a contemporary iteration of the balletcore aesthetic with their critically lauded Fall 2022 assortment, which featured ready-to-wear satin ballet flats paired with ballet socks. The identical 12 months, manufacturers like Rodarte get in on the development by decking out starlets like Lana Condor in knits harking back to cozy ballet warm-up garments and a floral headpiece like one thing straight out of Swan Lake. And in 2023, designers like Sandy Liang embraced girlhood by way of balletcore with leg heaters, ballet flats, and viral bow baggage.
It’s possible you’ll be pulling your fake fur coat out of storage to get you thru the remainder of winter, however Chanel’s white tights are proof constructive that balletcore is formally right here to remain. Under, discover one of the best white tights that will help you embrace your interior ballerina. Put us down for a pair… or twelve.
Wolford off-white merino tights
Generally, basic is finest. And these off-white merino tights from Ssense are as basic because it will get.
Merino wool means you don’t must prioritize fashion over consolation (though, we regularly do!), as a result of you may have each. These infants look stylish *and* will hold your legs toasty heat.
Store Now
Hue ladies’s opaque tight
A extra inexpensive possibility for a similar look as Chanel’s Margaret Qualley (above), these opaque tights from Amazon are excellent for year-round put on.
Pair them with a pleated kilt, some ballet flats, and also you’re able to hit the city — or at the least a comfy bookstore with mates.
Store Now
Anthropologie excessive heel jungle coronary heart knit tights
In the event you’re seeking to lean into the balletcore development however are a little bit of a maximalist, a printed tight may be proper up your alley.
Simply in time for Valentine’s Day (or any day this 12 months), these knit tights with a coronary heart design will add the proper je ne sais quoi to a monochromatic outfit.
Store Now
NODRESS white bow knit fishnet tights
Wish to mix a few of #balletcore’s greatest staples into one? Then this pair of tights is for you. We’re including bows to our hair, our baggage, and our jewelry, so why not our tights, too?
Store Now
Revolve LEJE Eddie Tights
Essentially the most avant-garde possibility in our round-up, these distinctive tights from Korean model LEJE are positive to be the standout of any outfit.
Much less perform, extra trend, we’re envisioning this floral masterpiece as a part of an early spring look with an OTT pastel gown — or possibly a classy bridal second! Love.
Store Now
MeMoi Toronto cable sweater tights
For these days if you need to be as comfy as you might be cute, cable sweater tights are in all probability your finest wager. Pair these cozy tights with a wide-collared gown to channel some Poor Issues realness.
Store Now
Simons built-in assist tights
For anybody on the lookout for a bit of additional assist with their equipment, this pair — from Simons — guarantees to ship it. These tights are created from a recycled nylon-blend and recycled clothes, which means their cute *and* sustainable, and have a management panty.
Store Now
Danskin ladies’s ultrasoft microfiber footed tight
For these days if you do must bundle up, a super-soft pair of tights is your go-to. These Danskin tights could have you — and your ft — coated on winter’s coldest days.
Store Now
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 Chanel may be doing it well in 2024, but the luxury house isn't the first brand to share their elevated interpretation of balletcore. While many millennials' first intro to the chicness that is ballet clothing may have been 2000’s Center Stage, there’s a long history of the ballet aesthetic influencing fashion offstage. This goes all the way back to the 1830s and ’40s when European ballerina Maria Taglioni became such a big star that fabrics, corsets, and candy were named after her. A hundred years later, in the 1930s, ballet officially made its entrance into the world of fashion. As Patricia Mears, the deputy director of FIT and curator of the 2020 exhibition “Ballerina: Fashion’s Modern Muse”, told W Magazine in 2022: “From the 1930s to the present, the tutu-inspired evening dresses fabricated with materials such as silk tulle and chiffon had silhouettes inspired by her bell-shaped skirts and fitted bodices, and used colors long associated with ballet — mainly white and pink.” View this post on Instagram
A post shared by RODARTE (@rodarte) Just a decade later, in 1942, the ballet flat was introduced to the runway when designer Claire McCardell paired her designs with real ballet slippers. It was a happy accident, with McCardell turning to these slippers after she was unable to source shoes for a fashion presentation due to wartime restrictions. The dance wear company that supplied McCardell with slippers, Capezio, then began to make street-ready versions. It was a fitting start, considering that, as WhoWhatWear writer Jasmin Fox-Suliaman noted in a recent article on the aesthetic, ballet has always existed on the cusp of change, often acting as a mirror to reflect wider societal ideas about gender, sexuality, and beauty. View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Miu Miu (@miumiu) Since then, brands like Dior, Valentino, and Givenchy have tapped into the aesthetic on the runway, with celebrities like Natalie Portman (a long-time Dior darling) turning to the look on the red carpet. And ballet-inspired styles have trickled down into pop culture, popping up in shows like Sex and the City, in movies like Portman’s Black Swan, and even HBO’s Euphoria. In 2019, Max Mara’s pre-fall collection featured models in soft, streamlined knits lined up at ballet bars, and 2020 saw Thom Browne dip into balletcore for men, with his Spring 2020 show featuring male models and ballet dancers in tutus and ballet shoes (paired with structured Thom Browne blazers, of course). More recent versions of this aesthetic have been less literal, with an emphasis on almost everything ballet — except the tutu. In line with the rise of athleisure, brands and designers have been drawing inspo from ballet warm-up and practice gear (think leotards, soft wrap-like sweaters, and sweats). And recent interpretations have pulled from not only from the silhouettes associated with the dance form, but the colours and drapes of fabric. Photography courtesy of Chanel This was on full display in the Fall 2022 collections, when Miu Miu inarguably ushered in a modern iteration of the balletcore aesthetic with their critically lauded Fall 2022 collection, which featured ready-to-wear satin ballet flats paired with ballet socks. The same year, brands like Rodarte get in on the trend by decking out starlets like Lana Condor in knits reminiscent of cozy ballet warm-up clothes and a floral headpiece like something straight out of Swan Lake. And in 2023, designers like Sandy Liang embraced girlhood via balletcore with leg warmers, ballet flats, and viral bow bags. You may be pulling your faux fur coat out of storage to get you through the rest of winter, but Chanel’s white tights are proof positive that balletcore is officially here to stay. Below, find the best white tights to help you embrace your inner ballerina. Put us down for a pair… or twelve.
Wolford off-white merino tights Sometimes, classic is best. And these off-white merino tights from Ssense are as classic as it gets. Merino wool means you don't have to prioritize style over comfort (although, we often do!), because you can have both. These babies look chic *and* will keep your legs toasty warm. Shop Now
Hue women's opaque tight A more affordable option for the same look as Chanel's Margaret Qualley (above), these opaque tights from Amazon are perfect for year-round wear. Pair them with a pleated kilt, some ballet flats, and you're ready to hit the town — or at least a cozy bookstore with friends. Shop Now
Anthropologie high heel jungle heart knit tights If you're looking to lean into the balletcore trend but are a bit of a maximalist, a printed tight might be right up your alley. Just in time for Valentine's Day (or any day this year), these knit tights with a heart design will add the perfect je ne sais quoi to a monochromatic outfit. Shop Now
NODRESS white bow knit fishnet tights Want to combine some of #balletcore's biggest staples into one? Then this pair of tights is for you. We're adding bows to our hair, our bags, and our jewellery, so why not our tights, too? Shop Now
Revolve LEJE Eddie Tights The most avant-garde option in our round-up, these unique tights from Korean brand LEJE are sure to be the standout of any outfit. Less function, more fashion, we're envisioning this floral masterpiece as part of an early spring look with an OTT pastel dress — or maybe a chic bridal moment! Love. Shop Now
MeMoi Toronto cable sweater tights For those days when you want to be as comfortable as you are cute, cable sweater tights are probably your best bet. Pair these cozy tights with a wide-collared dress to channel some Poor Things realness. Shop Now
Simons built-in support tights For anyone looking for a bit of extra support with their accessories, this pair — from Simons — promises to deliver it. These tights are made from a recycled nylon-blend and recycled clothing, meaning their cute *and* sustainable, and feature a control panty. Shop Now
Danskin women's ultrasoft microfiber footed tight For those days when you do have to bundle up, a super-soft pair of tights is your go-to. These Danskin tights will have you — and your feet — covered on winter's coldest days. Shop Now This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.){kind=link}