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Where to Buy Bodysuits, Ballet Sweaters, and More Dance-Inspired Clothing

There are probably more non-ballerinas wearing leotards right now than actual dancers.

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A model wearing pink legwarmers, sitting on a stool
KD New York x Free People Legwarmers ($42)

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You may or may not have noticed, but the fashion industry is obsessed with dancewear. Sure, ballerina flats and tulle skirts have always been sort of everywhere, but can you remember another time when there have been this many leotards — er, bodysuits — for sale in stores? How about ballet sweaters?

In this essay, Elisabeth Sherman (a classically trained ballet dancer) smartly dives into why this is the case (and it has little to do with Flashdance).

The leotards and bodysuits wallpapered across Instagram these days may owe some of their popularity to Kim Kardashian, but their appeal stems from the fact that outfits worn in the ballet studio are meant to be revealing. For young, stylish women who prefer a minimalist look, there’s almost nothing that could be more alluring than a simple skin-tight top that makes your style seem effortless.

Here, what to buy to replicate that look — no pointe shoes required.