Following the viral success of Miu Miu’s Mary Jane ballet flats in 2022, Versace’s kitten heels, and the ‘it’ styles from luxury brands like Sandy Liand, Jacquemus, and Marni, the balletcore trend seemed to have reached its peak. But during Milan Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025, Ferragamo surprised everyone by proving that balletcore is far from over.
Ferragamo’s collection showcased a bold new twist on the ballet-inspired trend: open-toe sandals with satin ribbons, perfectly complementing effortless athleticwear like leggings and leotards, reminiscent of ballet dancer’s training outfits. The Italian brand not only reinvented the classic satin slippers but also infused a charming allure into athletic-casual ensembles. This is a trend worth embracing before everyone else catches on.
Ferragamo’s Spring-Summer 2025 collection features a new hybrid sandal, inspired by the brand’s archive photographs and the vision of creative director Maximilian Davis. These sandals beautifully fuse contemporary elegance with the grace of classical dance. Part thong sandal, part ballet slipper, these are the footwear we’ll see dominating the warmer months of 2025. They’re a captivating yet modern pair, featuring Y-shaped heeled sandals with adjustable ankle straps and delicate baby pink satin ribbons. The design evokes a nostalgic feeling, recalling the brand’s founder’s collaborations with iconic dancers like Katherine Dunham and Rudolph Nureyev, who danced in Ferragamo-designed shoes. “Everyone was created for a reason and everyone has a story,” shared the British designer with Vogue Runway.
Balletcore is known for its feminine silhouettes, delicate fabrics, and pastel hues, designed to accentuate the body’s form with natural elegance. Ballet dancers’ training uniforms, featuring cut-out jumpsuits layered over vibrant leggings and fitted double-layered cropped tops, are the perfect complement to the wraparound ribbon thong sandals. This classic dance studio attire is no longer exclusive to studios and rehearsal rooms. Expect to see it on celebrities like Bella Hadid, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sydney Sweeney, but with a glamorous twist—think oversized bags and Y-shaped satin ballet flats in pastel pink.
The effortless fashion trend known as athleisure is evolving into a more romantic and less urban style. Ferragamo reinforces this by proposing sporty looks inspired by ballet training outfits, proving that you don’t need to be a ballet star to embrace the trend. Similar to the previous look, the black ribbon sandals pair beautifully with gray leggings worn under a bodysuit and a baby pink V-neck cut-out top, echoing the layered fashion trend and the popularity of double blouses.
The beauty of these satin ribbon sandals lies in their versatility—wear them as ankle-grazing sandals or as gladiator-style sandals for even more charm. They’re masterfully combined with terracotta yoga pants, a traditional pink jumpsuit, and a deep red cargo-style trench coat. This look is the perfect antidote to the tired leggings-and-dad-sneakers combination, don’t you think?
The twelfth outfit in Ferragamo’s Spring-Summer 2025 collection encapsulates two powerful trends in a single look: balletcore and 80s-inspired colored leggings. The Italian brand infuses a retro twist into the delicate ballerina aesthetic by adding a touch of glamour with the hybrid footwear, combining thong heeled sandals with satin ballet slippers. Embrace the style advice and build a color-blocked athletic ensemble with saturated red leggings, a beige bodysuit, a black top with cutouts, and white summer footwear. It’s simply authentic.
If you’ve been following fashion news in Vogue, you’ll know that burgundy is one of the hottest hues on the Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025 runways. Incorporate this shade into your wardrobe and footwear. Our recommendation: Y-shaped satin ribbon sandals. This elegant and flirty pair will elevate your favorite leotard, a chic dress, or a ruffled mini skirt. We know this trend works with leggings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore its versatility.
