A new wave of fashion is sweeping across Korea, and this time it’s all about grace, softness and subtle elegance.
The era of athleisure, dominated by yoga pants and sports bras, is gradually giving way to “balletcore,” a trend inspired by the delicate aesthetic of ballet.
At the center of this change is Han So-hee, widely recognized as one of Korea’s leading fashion icons.
Her recent airport look garnered a lot of attention for effortlessly blending balletcore elements, pairing a muted zip-up top with shorts, paired with knee-high socks and sneakers. The look struck a balance between casual comfort and ballet-inspired femininity, quickly going viral among fans and fashion watchers.
Emerging girl group ILLIT is also playing a key role in popularizing the trend among younger audiences.
Through their collaboration with Rockfish Weatherwear, the group showcased a modern balletcore aesthetic, incorporating knee-high socks and sneakers with ribbon detailing. Their style stood out for its natural, wearable approach, proving that ballet-inspired fashion doesn’t have to feel overly theatrical.
The growing popularity of ballet as a hobby has further fueled this trend. Balletcore reinterprets traditional dancewear into everyday wear, featuring items such as: leotards reimagined as tops, flats reminiscent of pointe styles, leg warmers, ribbons and Mary Jane shoes.
Unlike athleisure, which emphasizes performance and comfort, balletcore focuses on body lines, softness and understated elegance.
The surge in interest isn’t just anecdotal. Search volumes for ballet-related fashion have skyrocketed across all platforms, while sales of key items like leg warmers and Mary Jane shoes have increased significantly. In some cases, transactions related to ballet clothing reportedly increased by up to 32 times, reflecting explosive consumer demand.
In a fashion landscape saturated with sporty and utilitarian looks, balletcore offers something different: a return to romance and sophistication.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
