Style Icon/You Can: Ballet Dancers

I started taking ballet lessons when I was twelve. Getting into the ballet game that late, in a small city that was far away from professional dancers, and with my oddly-shaped legs, meant that I would never be a serious dancer. Nonetheless, I fell in love with the world of ballet. Dancing, sure, that was great, and I committed myself completely. But it was also about the look: the ideal combination of athleticism and femininity, with a finite set of perfectly complementary colors, and shapes that always flattered.

Photo credit Paul Kolnik via playbillarts.com

Photo credit Fox Searchlight Pictures via editorsguild.com

I gave up ballet when I was 16, dedicating myself to the more social aspects of high school sports instead. But I still love that “ballet rehearsal” look, a classic that hasn’t changed in forever. I even like those poofy vinyl warm up shorts, though I won’t be subjecting you to those in today.

Photo credit Torsten Blackwood/ AFP/ Getty Images via theepictimes.com

 

Photo credit Kyle Froman photography via girlcrush.la

These aren’t pieces you’d want to wear all at once. It’s important not to go too literal, lest you end up looking like a woman whose parents abandoned her at the studio thirty years ago.

L to R-ish:

  1. ASOS midi skater dress in mono mesh – (Super sexy, with ample coverage. Love.) Max Studio taupe wrap lace sandal, Aldo fushcia Ormond flat, Ann Taylor wrap cardigan, Gap asymmetrical dress
  2. Topshop black maxi skirt, Patagonia black lithia skirt (is this supposed to make us think of lithium, and is that an attractive thing?), Seychelles iris sandal, Body Wrappers rip stop pants (why not just go for the real deal? These are so great for working out or lounging).