Circus Chic, Ballet Core's Weird Sister
What does it mean to dress with the boldness of a ringleader and the whimsy of a clown?
Fashion has always flirted with the theatrical, but Circus Chic takes center stage this season, blurring the lines between costume and couture. It dares us to embrace exaggerated silhouettes, vibrant patterns, and a little nostalgia while still keeping it modern. Why do we gravitate toward such playful yet daring trends during times of uncertainty? What does it say about how we choose to express ourselves?
In this imaginative piece, Samantha Hermans takes us into the world of Circus Chic, exploring its historical roots, its modern-day revival, and how bold fashionistas are taking on this whimsical trend.
Happy reading,
Amarissa
2024 had its Ballet Core moment with its bows, leg warmers, and soft pastel palette. Now, winter introduces its eccentric sibling: Circus Chic, the next big thing to take center stage in fashion. Picture bold prints, striking stripes, and dramatic accents dominating the scene, especially in partywear and evening outfits. Similar to Ballet Core’s use of ribbons and tulle, Circus Chic will see a darker palette for the fall and winter months. Collars will be dramatic and conversational, hems will be asymmetrical, and color pairings will be outrageous.
The Evolution of Circus Chic
While exploring WGSN for upcoming trends, I stumbled upon circus-inspired elements suggested for children’s partywear in A/W 25/26. My initial reaction was, “Who’s inviting a kid to a party, and who really cares what they wear?” But the more I thought about it, the more this style seemed perfectly suited for a lively night out with friends. Imagine Chappell Roan and Prince-inspired looks, with everyone tight-roping between playful and edgy–a reflection of the bold experimentation we’re seeing in fashion today.
After a deep dive into Pinterest, I became fascinated by the idea of circus costumes and carnival elements inspiring mainstream fashion, even if just as a fleeting trend. At the end of the day, isn’t all fashion a form of costume?
As trends evolve, so do their inspirations. Ballet Core, with its roots in coquette aesthetics and delicate femininity, enchanted trend followers with soft hues and dainty details. Yet fashion never sits still.
Enter Circus Chic, which takes Ballet Core’s romantic essence and twists it into something bolder and more nostalgic. Imagine polka dots and pom-poms replacing bows, pastel pinks deepening into maroon and indigo, and bubble skirts transforming into bloomers. The result? A delightful fusion of eccentricity and childhood whimsy, grounded in contemporary sophistication.
We saw how the tennis skirt of the 2010s slowly became the mini skirt of the early 2020s before morphing into the ballet bubble skirt of today, and is now likely to transition into a bloomer-esque short or skirt look. The Fall 2025 partywear palette will feature deep, unique, and playful tones, accented with bright pops of color.
The Fashionable Big Top
Circus Chic pulls directly from the rich history of circus costumes. Collars are exaggerated and theatrical, while ringleader stripes lend authority and flair. Accessories such as pom-pom scrunchies and contrast polka dot tights offer an accessible entry point for the trend—perfect for those not ready to dive headfirst into bold patterns and bloomers. For those seeking drama, harlequin-inspired looks with skin as a contrasting element add eye-catching depth.
Ballet Core, the dominant trend of last spring and summer, was inspired by coquette or doll-like elements with dainty tanks, delicate layering, and soft pink, cream, and blue hues. There were bows on just about everything and everyone had leg warmers.
As the weather grew colder and trend enthusiasts searched for the next big fad, forecasters suggested a return to Twee. Popularized in the early 2000s by the Zooey Deschanels of the world, Twee was quirky and innocent. With scalloped collars and a contrasting color palette, the Twee Girl was a self-proclaimed weirdo with a cutesy wardrobe.
However, as we enter a new year and a new season, bows will make way for polka dots and pom-poms, pastel pink and blue will deepen into indigo and maroon, florals will become stripes, and balloon-hem skirts will become bloomers. Circus Chic expands on the whimsical eccentricity of Ballet Core and Twee, ultimately embracing a nostalgic, return-to-childhood aesthetic.
Circus Chic in Partywear
When it comes to party outfits, Circus Chic invites us to push boundaries. This trend embraces exaggerated elements to create looks that are equal parts edgy and whimsical. It encourages experimentation, offering a dynamic way to stand out in nightlife scenes.
Brands like Free People and Jaded London are already embracing the essence of Circus Chic, while high-end labels such as Fanci Club and Dolce & Gabbana hint at these themes unintentionally. This trend appeals to bold fashionistas who revel in making statements, particularly in metropolitan nightlife hubs like New York and Chicago.
If there is any designer who perfectly captures the essence of Circus Chic, it would be Simone Rocha, an Irish designer known for her signature voluminous sleeves and lavish use of tulle. Her modern Victorian aesthetic aligns seamlessly with the playful extravagance of Circus Chic. In her most recent runway show, the S/S 2025 collection, she showcased tutus, ruffles, and oversized collars—elements that echo the theatrical and nostalgic charm of circus-inspired fashion.
A Historical Inspiration
The roots of Circus Chic stretch back to the 18th century when modern circus performances began. Trapeze artists needed practical yet striking costumes, contortionists wore sleek bodysuits with dynamic patterns, and clowns donned over-the-top ensembles to captivate audiences. These costumes, defined by vibrant colors, glitter, feathers, and top hats, created a spectacle impossible to ignore.
Contortionists, on the other hand, needed to wear slinky, skin-tight one-piece suits with dynamic patterns to enhance the shapes they would create with their bodies. These embellishments (the over-the-top color, glitter, top hats, and feathers) were all part of the attraction to the Circus. While the acts themselves would draw you in with their absurdity, it's the costumes that make it impossible to look away.
From Vintage Circus to Modern-Day
Today, these elements are reborn. Circus Chic blends nostalgia with contemporary sophistication, creating a trend that celebrates individuality and daring self-expression. This winter, fashion enthusiasts will embrace the spirit of the circus, taking cues from its rich visual history.
A hallmark characteristic of the fashion industry is that trends tend to evolve. Something like the Ballet Core aesthetic, which was born out of the Clean Girl aesthetic (neutrals, slick-back buns, green juice, etc.), could transition into a darker yet whimsical look. From athleisure to ballet leotards to trapeze-inspired looks, trends take new forms based on what individuals are experiencing and looking to represent in their outfits.
The Circus Chic girl, the non-derogatory “Clown Girl,” is fashion-forward and takes risks with funky and bold styles. She’s someone who lives with her heart on her sleeve and doesn’t take herself too seriously—she isn’t afraid to literally look like a clown! While this style might feel too wild for many, small aspects will inevitably trickle into the mass market. The harlequin pattern and statement collar, for instance, could become popular additions to tailored looks.
With current society in a constant state of turmoil, this trend reminds us to not take life so seriously and to have fun with our self-expression. Circus Chic calls us to take center stage in our lives and embrace the absurdity and theatrics! The allure of the circus is to show the audience the extraordinary things the human form can achieve: an acrobat twisting their body, a trapeze artist swinging through a ring of fire, or an animal trainer guiding an elephant to stand on its hind legs.
These days, it feels like we are living in a freak show, so we might as well embrace it because the Circus has come to town.
Contributing edits by our Winter ‘25 Student Writing Program editor, , with final oversight & edits by Amarissa.
Today’s writer…
Samantha is a participant in Fashion Talk's Winter 2025 Student Writing Program. Aligned with our mission to uplift emerging voices in the fashion industry, we’re excited to share her fresh and insightful perspective with our community.
Get to know her here!
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I had so much fun researching and writing this! So much thanks to Amarissa and Hala for their support and guidance! I hope you all like it! <3
This was such a fun read! Need more “__-core” history!