BCBG |

I think I enjoyed my ballet warm-ups as much as if not more than my ballet costumes. I had so many cozy knit sweaters and tops that I would wear to ballet class. Ballet warm-ups are meant to accentuate the shape so it’s only natural that the style of collar bone-baring boat neck tops and waist-accentuating wrap sweaters would become popular in mainstream fashion. I have a wrap sweater I got from H&M in 2003. I held tight to my wrap sweater addiction even through the past few years where they, for a time, were nowhere to be found. No other sweater style is as flattering! I am happy to see that they have returned.

~ Ballet Practice Styles ~

Bloch V-Neck Sweater

Mirella Warm-Up Jump Suit

~ For Everyday ~

Banana Republic Ballet neck sweater

J. Crew Wrap Sweater

Free People We the People Solid Puff Sleeve Long Sleeve Tee

Jessica Simpson Women’s Gabriel 3/4 Sleeve Boat Neck Top

Victoria’s Secret Soft-spun Buckle-wrap

Nieman Marcus Tie-Waist Wrap Sweater

BCBGMAXAZRIA Wrap Sweater

All Saints Stripe Manila Pirate Cardigan

Tulle netting has been used in ballet costumes for centuries. It is light and flexible and most commonly used in “romantic tutus” (the longer, skirt-like tutus), and “classical tutus” – the short, stiff tutus which were created when ballet steps became faster and more intricate – necessitating a skirt that minimized obstruction. Way back in 1998 when Sex and the City first hit the air, Carrie Bradshaw walking down the street in the tulle skirt and tank top seemed so outlandish – these days that style seems a bit more mainstream than it did then. Now that the weather is chilly I see it less, but in the entertainment district in which I live, it was not uncommon all summer to see lots of girls in the same, albeit toned-down version of this tank top/tulle skirt combination.