“Balletcore” fashion that features leggings and tulle skirts inspired by the traditional ballet attire is trending among young female consumers in South Korea, allowing shopping platforms to see a rise in the sales of related items this year.

According to multiple industry sources on Sunday, young consumers are interested in balletcore fashion as they are inspired by celebrities going after the elegant and feminine but also streetwear fashion.

Jennie, a member of the K-pop girl group Blackpink, has been seen often wearing ballet-looks while on global tour.

According to an analysis by local fashion platform Ably, searches for “ballerina shoes” on its platform spiked 1,560 percent in April from a year ago.

Searches for “Mary Jane loafers” also jumped about 255 percent and “Mary Jane shoes” 140 percent. Mary Jane shoes refer to a low-cut shoe with a strap. Luxury fashion houses like Chanel and Miu Miu are famous for their Mary Janes.

More interest is leading to a rise in sales.

According to Korea’s No. 1 online fashion platform Musinsa Co., the gross merchandise value of Mary Jane shoes jumped 3.4 times in April from a year ago.

Rockfish Weatherwear, a local fashion brand that represents a traditional British lifestyle, saw a 365 percent increase in the gross merchandise value of its Mary Jane shoes between January and April this year.

Suecomma Bonnie, a shoe brand under Kolon Industries FnC, also sold 5.4 times more Mary Jane shoes in April from a year ago.

Industry insiders note that the trend will continue through the summer.

“The trend started last year and the popularity of Mary Jane shoes is expected to continue as they are less affected by seasonal design,” said an industry insider.

Other ballet-look items, such as boleros, variations of tulle skirts of various lengths, and hair accessories such as scrunchies are also gaining attention. Legwarmers that used to be popular in the 1990s are also making a return.

By Kim Hyo-hye and Chang Iou-chung

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]