40 Dreamy Coquette Aesthetic & Balletcore Outfit Ideas That Will Make You Feel Like a Modern-Day Princess
There’s something absolutely magical happening in the fashion world right now. Maybe it’s the collective yearning for beauty and softness after years of uncertainty, or perhaps we’re just ready to embrace our most feminine selves without apology. Whatever the reason, the coquette aesthetic and balletcore trends have swept across social media and into our hearts, creating a fashion movement that celebrates everything delicate, romantic, and unapologetically girly.
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?), you’ve probably noticed an explosion of bows, pastel pinks, lace details, and ballet flats gracing your feed. This isn’t just another fleeting microtrend—it’s a full-scale fashion renaissance that’s giving us permission to dress like the romantic heroines we’ve always admired.
Fascinating Facts About the Coquette & Balletcore Movement
Before we dive into the outfit inspiration, let’s explore some captivating details about these intertwined trends:
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Pinterest searches for ‘bow outfits’ surged by 900% in the past year, and jumped up by 100% again in the last month alone. Meanwhile, #balletcore first started trending on TikTok in 2022. The style is based on either practice outfits including leotards, leg warmers, wrap cardigans and warm-up pants, or the extravagant performance costumes of professional ballet dancers, including corsets, tutus and long tulle skirts.
A Cultural Moment: The coquette aesthetic is taking over Gen Z’s fashion scene and our TikTok screens, but it’s not just about the clothes. This aesthetic has been characterized as both a way to relive and express creativity through childhood fantasies, and a way to “fully escape into…femininity without feeling guilty about it,” while ultimately being “self-aware and playful”.
Historical Roots: Coquette fashion dates back as early as Marie Antoinette and rose to popularity in a new way in the early 2010s. The balletcore trend has even deeper fashion heritage, with Dating back to the 1930s, Chanel crafted tulle gowns inspired by the Cotillion Ballet production in 1932.
Celebrity Influence: Some, like singer Lana Del Rey, have long been associated with the style, while others, such as Sydney Sweeney and Lily-Rose Depp, have embraced the trend in recent years.
The Romantic Foundation: Understanding Coquette Aesthetic
The coquette aesthetic is more than just a fashion trend—it’s a celebration of hyperfemininity that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. Now, coquette style is all about bows, soft pinks and pastels, lace, florals, fresh flowers, and that dreamy, soft glow. Think of it as your inner romantic finally getting the wardrobe she’s always dreamed of.
What makes this aesthetic so compelling is its versatility. You can go full princess with a ruffled pink dress and mary jane shoes, or simply add a silk hair ribbon to your everyday jeans and sweater. I love the pastels, and every now and then, I’ll throw a bow in my hair. I also like mixing masculine pieces with feminine touches, as one style enthusiast perfectly describes the balanced approach to this trend.
The color palette is dreamy and soft: baby pinks, powder blues, lavender, cream, and white form the foundation, with touches of deeper rose and sage green for contrast. Textures play a crucial role too—think silk, chiffon, tulle, lace, and anything that moves beautifully with your body.
Key Coquette Elements to Master
Bows and Ribbons: From hair accessories to shoe details, bows have become the signature motif of coquette style. They can be subtle—like a small bow at the neckline—or statement-making, such as an oversized hair bow.
Lace Details: Whether it’s trim on a slip dress or an entire lace blouse, this delicate fabric adds instant romance to any outfit.
Floral Motifs: Fresh flowers, floral prints, and botanical embroidery all contribute to the garden party princess vibe.
Vintage Silhouettes: Empire waists, puff sleeves, and fit-and-flare shapes channel historical romance with modern wearability.
The Grace of Movement: Embracing Balletcore
According to personal stylist Jordan Stolch, balletcore is “all about embracing the dreamy, ethereal aesthetic of the dance world while striking the perfect balance between elegance and ease.” This trend transforms the practical beauty of ballet attire into everyday fashion that’s both comfortable and elegant.
What I love most about balletcore is how it makes you feel—there’s something about slipping into ballet flats and a wrap top that instantly improves your posture and adds grace to your movements. It’s fashion that encourages you to carry yourself like the graceful woman you are.
The balletcore palette tends to be softer and more neutral than coquette, focusing on blush pink, ivory, pale gray, and classic black. “Play with heavily feminine fabrications and soft colors, mixed with must-have ballerina black, and add in classic details like simple flats, thin headbands, and sheer tights.”
Essential Balletcore Pieces
Ballet Flats: The cornerstone of the trend. Look for styles with ribbon ties, satin finishes, or delicate hardware.
Wrap Tops and Cardigans: These mirror the layering pieces dancers wear during warm-up and practice.
Bodysuits: As far as West is concerned, bodysuits are a balletcore mainstay (and we agree). “Luckily, there is no shortage of options to find the perfect style—turtleneck, cut-out, deep V-neck, scoop, boat neck silhouettes, or a classic crew neck,”
Leg Warmers: “Use the colder winter months as an excuse to get yourself a pair of leg warmers in a soft lilac or light pink color,” suggests fashion stylist Tara West.
Flowing Skirts: From mini wrap styles to midi slip skirts, anything that moves beautifully captures the ballet spirit.
Mastering the Art of Layering and Styling
One of the most beautiful aspects of both coquette and balletcore aesthetics is how they encourage thoughtful layering. “Think a silk slip skirt paired with a bodysuit, a bustier-cut tulle dress over a thin knit sweater, or a lace wrap-top worn with your favorite trousers,” suggests personal stylist Jordan Stolch.
The key is creating contrast between structured and flowing pieces, rough and smooth textures, or casual and dressy elements. A vintage band tee under a tulle midi skirt? Absolutely perfect. Ballet flats with wide-leg trousers and a fitted top? Chef’s kiss.
Don’t be afraid to mix these aesthetics with your existing wardrobe. The goal isn’t to completely transform your style overnight, but to add touches of romance and grace that make you feel beautiful and confident.
Styling Tips for Different Occasions
For Work: Start with a cream silk blouse with subtle bow details, pair it with tailored trousers and ballet flats. Add a delicate pearl necklace to complete the look.
For Weekend Brunch: Try a floral midi dress with puff sleeves, cardigan draped over shoulders, and mary jane shoes. Don’t forget a silk hair ribbon.
For Date Night: A slip dress in blush pink with a lace camisole underneath, strappy ballet flats, and pearl drop earrings creates effortless romance.
For Casual Days: High-waisted jeans, a cropped wrap sweater, ballet flats, and a bow hair clip prove that coquette can be wonderfully understated.
Where to Shop: From Budget-Friendly to Investment Pieces
Budget-Friendly Options ($20-$100)
Zara: This ivory skirt from Zara is perfect for that since the satin-like material is lightweight and moves along with you. They consistently stock ballet flats, bow-detailed tops, and romantic dresses.
H&M: Great for experimenting with trends without the investment. Look for their Conscious collection for sustainable options.
Target (Wild Fable): Surprisingly good selection of ballet flats, hair accessories, and romantic basics.
ASOS: Extensive range from various brands, perfect for finding unique pieces that fit the aesthetic.
Mid-Range Options ($100-$300)
Anthropologie: Originally confined to a younger TikTok-obsessed crowd, who frequently post aesthetic videos donning the style, coquette looks have started seeping into the mainstream, even winding up on racks at retailers like Anthropologie
Love & Lemon: This dreamy brand has mastered the art of romantic femininity with their signature ruffles, delicate florals, and vintage-inspired silhouettes that perfectly capture both coquette and balletcore vibes.
& Other Stories: Swedish brand known for romantic, trend-forward pieces with excellent quality.
Sezane: French brand perfect for achieving that effortless Parisian coquette vibe.
Reformation: Sustainable options with romantic silhouettes and flattering cuts.
Investment Pieces ($300+)
Simone Rocha: Simone Rocha has captivated the fashion world with her feminine designs that poise the lavish and refined, offering exquisite tulle pieces and romantic details.
The Row: For minimalist balletcore pieces that will last forever.
Miu Miu: Meanwhile, products like Jacquemus’ ballet slides and Miu Miu’s satin bow ballerina flats have become some of the most popular items of 2023
Selkie: As we mentioned above, Selkie dresses have been a huge driver of the coquette aesthetic popularity. The Puff Dress is their signature shape
Creating Your Signature Look
The beauty of these trends lies in their adaptability. Whether you’re drawn to the full princess fantasy of coquette or the understated elegance of balletcore, there’s room to make it uniquely yours.
Consider your lifestyle and comfort level when incorporating these trends. If you work in a conservative environment, start with subtle details like a silk hair ribbon or delicate pearl jewelry. If you’re ready to fully embrace the romance, invest in a few statement pieces like a tulle midi skirt or a bow-detailed blouse.
Remember, confidence is your best accessory. “When I dress in a girly way, I feel like a feminine adult woman.” The goal is to feel beautiful, comfortable, and authentically yourself.
Building Your Coquette-Balletcore Wardrobe
Start with shoes: Ballet flats or mary janes are the foundation of both aesthetics and will instantly update any outfit.
Add texture: Invest in one or two pieces with interesting textures—a lace top, a tulle skirt, or a velvet hair ribbon.
Focus on fit: Both trends emphasize flattering silhouettes, so ensure your pieces fit well and make you feel confident.
Layer thoughtfully: Build outfits by combining different textures, patterns, and proportions for visual interest.
Accessorize intentionally: Pearl jewelry, silk scarves, and hair ribbons are small additions that make a big impact.
Final Styling Tips and Conclusion
As you embark on your coquette and balletcore journey, remember these essential tips:
Quality over quantity: Choose pieces that feel special and make you smile when you wear them. By embracing soft fabrics, neutral tones and graceful silhouettes, you can transform your wardrobe into a dreamy, dance-inspired retreat.
Mix high and low: Pair affordable trend pieces with investment basics for a balanced wardrobe approach.
Trust your instincts: If something feels too costume-like for your lifestyle, scale it back until it feels authentically you.
Embrace the mood: These trends are about more than clothes—they’re about embracing beauty, softness, and romance in your daily life.
The coquette aesthetic and balletcore movement represent more than just fashion trends—they’re a celebration of femininity, grace, and the beauty found in everyday moments. Whether you choose to go full princess with ruffles and bows or prefer the subtle elegance of ballet-inspired pieces, these trends offer endless possibilities for expressing your most romantic self.
In a world that often feels rushed and harsh, there’s something revolutionary about choosing to dress with intentional beauty and softness. So tie that bow in your hair, slip into those ballet flats, and step into a world where every day can feel a little more magical.
