An Exposé on Ballet Wear By: Penny Freidlin

Within the last few months we’ve seen more of ballet inspired clothing. This trend consists of dainty and hyper feminine wear. Clothing pieces seen in this uprising trend include Lace trimmed

tank tops that go to the end of the hip, wrap cardigans, pearls, bows, black sheer tights and the cult classic repetto ballet flats. Although this whole style is surrounded by “pureness” and “girly ness”, the community is

Repetto heel photo by @natalie.moren0 on IG

quite the opposite.

Just like old fashion ballet traditions there is a huge influence on how young women's bodies are portrayed and seen. Although in the last 5 years ballet studios have been more conscious of this, most companies still encourage eating disorders. My personal experience with ballet has been great. I was one of the lucky dancers to find a really amazing company that encourages feeling comfortable in your own body, no matter the size, shape, or color. Dance can be divine and beautiful, but occasionally the atmosphere can take a toll on one's mind and body. Just like with actual ballet, ballet wear and its aethstetic focuses on a certain look. Skinny. And for the people who do not fit this horrendous standard are criticized. Ballet has beloved this horrendous norm since the 1960s. When Balanchine, (a famous russian choreographer who co-founded the new york ballet), promoted an unhealthy slender aethstetic. Thus formed the atrocious movement of encouraging eating disorders in dance. Other dance companies took this trend and continued the awful tradition. In the article “The Dark Side of Coquette” the author Iustina Roman expands more on this. She says, “Hyper-feminine fashion has been called out on social media extensively for failing to include people of colour and a range of body types—to the point where some believe they encourage disordered eating and unrealistic standards. The aforementioned role models of hyper-feminine fashion are, indeed, skinny white women.”

Now, what can we do to combat this? Well first off, seeing more women that are outside of this standard feel comfortable in this style will open up the topic on diversiting this coquettish style. But what we need most is more articles being written and read on this subject to really start this movement! In conclusion, there's something to say about appreciating the aesthetic choices of this style, but we must acknowledge that the community is toxic and needs to be changed. Any body type and race/ethnicity should be respected and cherished. In dance, as it also should in ballet wear.