The ballet is having a moment—especially with Gen Z audiences. It’s not just about the show anymore; it’s about the experience, the atmosphere, and, of course, the chance to dress up. With the New York City Ballet offering $30 tickets for guests 30 and under, the grand David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center is feeling more accessible than ever. If you’re new to the ballet, you may find yourself wondering: What do I wear? Here’s our guide on ballet attire without overthinking it.
Sticking to the Classics
When in doubt, a gown is always an elegant choice for ballet attire. You can’t go wrong with a classic silhouette, whether it’s strapless, off-the-shoulder, high-neck, or asymmetrical. Stick to timeless colors like black or white for a refined, sophisticated look.


Add Some Texture
The ballet is the perfect excuse to experiment with textures. Satin, silk, and velvet are all luxe choices that will elevate any look (especially velvet if you’re going in winter—it feels festive and just right for the occasion). We love lace, tweed and mohair, too. If you’re bundling up, throw on a chic wool coat or a vintage fur for that extra sophistication.

Get Down to Business
A polished business casual look works perfectly here. Take inspiration from what you’d wear to a holiday party—perhaps a blazer paired with a dress and tights with slingbacks. Oversized suits are currently trending in womenswear (think Bella Hadid’s return to the runway for YSL this past September) and would work well for the ballet, too.

Keep It Casual
For a more relaxed take, consider a little black dress, a jumpsuit, or an off-the-shoulder sweater with a skirt or trousers. Pair with loafers or boots for a laid-back look.


A Pop of Color
Want to make more of a statement? Go for color. Red tights are still a major trend, but ice blue is another popular choice. For dresses, navy is the expensive-looking color trend we’ve been loving this season. If you’d prefer to go bold and bright, try yellow, which dominated runways this past September New York Fashion Week. It dominated the runways—Tanner Fletcher, Sergio Hudson, Prabal Gurung, Nanushka, Rodarte, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Simkhai, Sandy Liang, Tibi and Ulla Johnson—so we know it’s the trend for spring 2025.

Rent, Don’t Buy
If you’re not ready to commit to an outfit just for the ballet, there’s a game-changing app called Pickle that lets you rent dresses and accessories on-demand—no long-term commitment required. With this peer-to-peer fashion rental app, you can browse and rent pieces directly from other fashion lovers’ closets; think influencers like Audrey Trullinger, Lauren Wolfe, and Kit Keenan. Renting through Pickle means you can experiment with trends and textures, without having to buy a whole new outfit. It’s our go-to for finding chic looks for any occasion.
Click here to shop our lookbook of what to wear to the ballet on Pickle.


Photographed by Julia Sariy
Model Jada Lati
Dresses Courtesy of Pickle