Whether you were nimble enough to join your local ballet company as a child or simply admired the dancers from afar, one thing is certain: the effortless, delicate femininity embodied by a ballerina’s ethereal silhouette has captured the hearts of girls and women for centuries.
While the bouncy tulle tutus and intricate corseted costumes handcrafted for productions of the likes of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker or Romeo and Juliet are certainly a marvel, it’s the clothing that ballerinas sport for casual practice that interests us.
Indeed, “ballet-core” has taken off as a sartorial movement in the last year or so, with individuals incorporating athletic yet graceful silhouettes into daily outfits, but why the seemingly sudden fascination?
Practice uniforms worn by ballerinas of all levels across the globe encompass comfort, effortless femininity, style, function and – above all – versatility. You’ll often see ballerinas arriving at the studio bundled up in layers of vests, leotards, cardigans and legwarmers, which are slowly shed as rehearsal goes on (depending on the season, of course).
Ferragamo’s spring 2025 collection embodied the ballerina ideal with a refined, couture edge. The luxury Italian fashion house’s take on ballet-inspired style succeeded in showcasing the ballerina’s unrivalled ability to layer with a capsule collection of functional clothing in varying neutral yet girlish colourways.
The pièce de la resistance of the ballerina capsule is not the leotard, but the humble wrap cardigan – designed to keep the upper body warm during warm-ups and practice, yet retain enough of a cinched silhouette for instructors to analyse form and function. When it comes to causal ballet-core outfits, the wrap top or cardigan can be layered with vests and paired with A-line skirts for a feminine look, or paired with jeans for a more textured, contrasting aesthetic.
Another popular style of wrap top, which is quite the antithesis to the ballerina wrap top or cardigan, is the Japanese kimono-inspired shirt. Usually crafted from crisp cotton or linen, as opposed to soft jersey or cashmere like the ballet cardigan, the unisex style is boxy yet loose; simultaneously structured and gown-like.
The earliest variation of the traditional Japanese garment can be traced to the Heian Period (794-1185) and was previously worn with hakama trousers. Though it later became more fashionable to sport a kimono without them, which is why the obi (a broad sash tied around the waist) was introduced.
Contemporarily, many Western designers have adapted the basic elements of a kimono – straight-seaming, square sleeves and a rectangular body with a wrap or tie closure – into modern, utilitarian and stylish garments.
No matter what style of wrap top inspires you, we’ve curated an edit of the best options currently on the market below.
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Toast Cotton Poplin Wrap Shirt
Featuring dropped raglan sleeves and an asymmetric tie, this kimono-inspired 100 per cent organic cotton shirt from Toast is set to be your most-worn garment this summer. Truly an item that will go with anything – whether it be a maxi skirt, slip dress or a pair of jeans – this effortlessly stylish shirt practically defines the concept of a capsule wardrobe.
Buy now £165.00, Toast
Johnstons of Elgin Featherlight Cashmere Ballet Wrap
Crafted with a seamless transition from day to night in mind, the Johnstons of Elgin cashmere ballet wrap is as soft, delicate and feminine as it gets. Whether worn solo with a lacy bralette or layered over a crisp white tee, the ultra-luxurious cardigan is warm and cosy but remains remarkably breathable thanks to the 100 per cent two-ply cashmere construction.
Buy now £525.00, Johnstons of Elgin
Paisie Striped Wrap Top
This pinstripe shirt by Paisie features a dramatic tie moment that not only allows you to customise the fit but also adds a sense of texture to your ensemble. We’d pair this with a white A-line maxi and some Mary Janes all summer long.
Buy now £41.00, Wolf & Badger
Ganni Cotton-Poplin Wrap Blouse
Luxury staples are a plenty over at Ganni, with the Copenhagen-born fashion house home to an array of shirts and dresses that serve as a veritable uniform for the Scandinavian-inspired sartorialist. This sharp wrap shirt features contrast topstitching and an adjustable sculpted waist.
Buy now £116.00, Coggles
4505 soft touch ballet wrap long sleeve top in black
Perfect for layering, this soft-touch long-sleeve wrap top from ASOS’ 4505 activewear range is available in black, pale pink and rust to suit your personal ballerina-inspired aesthetic. Flirty and functional, it features thumbhole cuffs to prevent the sleeves from riding up.
Buy now £14.00, ASOS
Lilysilk Silk Wrap Blouse
Embody true luxury with this silk wrap blouse by Lilysilk, designed to accentuate the waist and create an ultra-feminine hourglass figure. Perfect for corporate ladies looking to elevate their daily uniform.
Buy now £105.00, Lilysilk
Arket Cotton Wrap Top
Forget butter yellow and mocha mousse, we’re predicting that cornflour blue is going to be the colour of the season. This V-neck, wrap shirt by Arket has subtly voluminous sleeves and crisp, tailored edges.
Buy now £77.00, Arket
Aym Ballet Wrap Top in Bamboo
Offered in a myriad of hues and crafted from sumptuously soft bamboo fibres, we love how these ballet-inspired wrap tops by Aym can be paired with matching skirts and dresses for a seamless aesthetic.
Buy now £79.00, Aym
Rouje Pointelle Wrap Cardigan
Realised in a delicate lilac hue with pointelle detailing, this wrap-cut, lightweight cardigan from Parisian it-girl brand Rouje is a must-have. Made in Portugal from Lyocell and cotton, it’s soft and breezy as a feather.
Buy now £105.00, Rouje
Ro&Zo Crepe Wrap Shirt
We’re all about curating uniforms à la Joan Didion, and this unbeatably soft and comfortable wrap shirt from Ro&Zo is a brilliant staple for pairing with wide-leg wrap trousers. Weighty and luxurious, it’s made with 100 per cent viscose for comfort and sophistication.
Buy now £49.00, John Lewis
Mango Halter-Neck Crossover Top
Throwing this halter-neck cross-over top on with a pair of loose-fit trousers, a pleated mini, or casual denim ensures an instant event-ready look. Slip on a pair of kitten heels and slick your hair back into a bun for a model-off-duty ensemble.
Buy now £19.99, Mango
Omnes Venus Wrap Top
Made with bamboo cotton and a hint of spandex for some forgiving stretch, we love the soft simplicity of this light blue wrap top from Omnes. Also available in black.
Buy now £29.00, Omnes
