I Shopped the Anti-Balletcore Trend Everyone Is Low-Key Loving This Spring

Move over, balletcore. There's a new trend in town with a decked-out motorcycle and a Diesel skirt set so mini Paris Hilton's Y2K outfits would do a double take. Introducing the biker baddie: an in-your-face trending aesthetic that relies on faded leather jackets, oversize sporty shades, and distressed combat boots. It's not just us feeling the moto trend, either. A handful of our editors' favorite designers and retailers have begun to experiment with the grungy, chic look.

The biker trend dominated this past winter thanks to the rise of aviator jackets and distressed denim, but frankly, it shows no stops of slowing down as we head into the spring. Heavier coats and boots can be switched out for embellished flats and strappy see-through tops, proving that moto goes way beyond the cold months. 

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ACNE Studios Fall/Winter 2022

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Diesel Fall/Winter 2022

My take? I'm obsessed. After chewing down on Diesel's revamp over the last few months and seeing that viral photo of Bella Hadid wearing a black, blue, and white motorcycle jacket (yes, you know the one), I can't wait to dive into moto this spring. If you're looking for a pro styling tip, I suggest wearing motocore's edgier hero pieces like leather jackets and combat boots with softer, daintier garments like lace-trimmed blouses and sheer slip skirts. 

Ahead, you'll find everything you need to buy to fully embrace this year's sleeper biker trend. 

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Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2022

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Versace Spring/Summer 2023

Shop the moto trend:

Next, Prepare to See This Embellishment on All Your Shoes, Bags, and Clothes This Year

Assistant Shopping Editor
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.

Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)