How to embrace popular internet trends as a mother

The older I get (and the busier my life is with growing children), the less I care about and rely on social media as a source of information and entertainment. But while I’d like to completely cut ties with social networks, there are some things that keep me hooked. Firstly, the fact that I work from home and have limited social interaction (I legitimately keep up with friends through Instagram), and secondly, my aesthetic Love and the desire to consume the latest and greatest in everyday fashion.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen fashion content expand beyond the boundaries of Pinterest, finding a foothold between Instagram’s grid and TikTok’s scrolling interface. The latter in particular has been the driving force behind trends and highly stylized microtrends. These aesthetics often reflect cultures, each encapsulating a particular lifestyle. In 2020, cottagecore became an idyllic escape for everyone isolated at home. In 2021, culture frequently referred to post-pandemic life, and Y2K became our nostalgic coping mechanism as people began to reenter society and embrace the “new normal.” etc.

It’s 2024, and the TikTok-driven fashion aesthetic shows no signs of slowing down. Although it’s early this year, we’ve already seen some new micro-styles delivered through algorithms, such as Romancecore and Eclectic Grandpa. Among this new lineup, the very clear frontrunner right now is Ballet Core.

What is ballet core?

Unlike its other more poetic cousins (see: Coastal Grandma), balletcore is a very easy concept to understand and is easy to identify on first glance.

As the name suggests, it is a fashion aesthetic inspired by the art of ballet and the clothing worn by those who practice ballet. The trend focuses on femininity and romanticism, leaning towards delicate fabrics and muted colors. As a micro-trend in everyday wear, balletcore means incorporating ballet-inspired fashion pieces into your street look, rather than dressing up as a full-fledged ballerina.

Obvious signs of balletcore attire include ballet flats, fine knits, bodysuits, romantic skirts, and flashy “girly” accessories (such as ribbon hairpieces and jewelry, lace tights, and ruffled socks) . Colors that indicate this style include pastels (particularly pink and blue), metallics, and classic black and white.

Balletcore first began to make its presence felt in 2022, but it really became popular at the end of 2023. J. Crew, one of my own favorite retailers, has wisely fueled the popularity and made this trend more accessible to the fashion-loving masses. Last year during the holiday season, he collaborated with the New York City Ballet. This movement is now being replicated by Reformation. The collaboration collection with the famous dance company is so gorgeous that it will make any fashion lover’s jaw hit the floor.