It’s Christmas Day, 1996 and what better day to unleash my inner tutus and tell you about the hottest news in the ballet world. Right now the top news story is 'What to wear in a white tutu on Christmas Day!'
This is not as straightforward as it sounds my dears, you can't simply slip on a white tutu, a leotard, some ballet shoes, grab a copy of 'The Nutcracker' on VHS, and head out to a Christmas lunch at your auntie’s house. This is, after all, the day to dazzle your relatives with a dance of impeccable elegance, that even Margot Fonteyn would applaud, or you might have to spend the afternoon on 'nutcracker' duty... serving nuts, rather than being one.
Firstly, a word about tutus: ‘Do your homework on the history of the tutu and the perfect tutu etiquette, because the more you know, the more you’ll glow, trust me.’ For years the dance world has been split on the ultimate tutu material, should it be silk, tulle, satin or a fine, floaty gauze. The consensus for Christmas Day, and festive gatherings? Opt for a good quality tulle tutu; a silk one might look too fussy, even on Christmas Day and a gauze tutu, you wouldn't see on Christmas Day in the north of England (they’re more suited for the south-coast!) The ultimate choice would be a white tulle tutu – so elegant!
A little confession, although I am not a ballerina in real life, just a huge fan of ballet and the amazing feats of elegance, grace, and skill – (ok, and maybe, a big fan of all things tulle and white) my dream would be to glide, in white tutu, onto the Christmas Day lunch table. This is more fantasy than a dance critic would appreciate, however, this year, you could consider buying yourself the perfect white tutu as a treat - there is always a reason to invest in tulle and to go white! After all, we can’t wait around for a lifetime, for the chance to glide into Christmas lunch! The dream has to come true, and Christmas Day 1996 may be the perfect day to realise this ultimate feminine dance goal!
But let's bring it down to earth, and face the real facts of a Christmas lunch on the ground and think about, ‘How to stand out from the rest!’ You will find that a dazzling white tutu may look stunningly elegant on stage but it will need some tweaking when you are attending a Christmas lunch – here's what we're talking about: You have got to 'rock that Christmas tutu, by wearing your own twist!
And here's how:- Think about your undergarments for a white tutu, you will need a special undergarment that is going to accentuate your body shape and keep you feeling beautiful and secure for your dazzling entrance! – it is also good practice if you happen to bump into your ex. (This is your time to shine, and your tutu is your ally, even if the family dynamics are slightly chaotic, this will be the secret ingredient that will win you Christmas. It will put them in their place.)
- Leotards! A pink leotard can be perfect to wear underneath a white tutu - the combination is super chic. Choose a leotard with the perfect neckline, it has to be high enough so it doesn't fall down, yet low enough to look classy!
- Shoes. The tricky bit. Ballet shoes in pink are not what is needed for Christmas Day - even the most glam ballerinas wouldn’t wear pink ballet shoes unless they were performing a choreographed number. So how do you get the ballerina vibe on a Christmas day? It's a tricky one... perhaps opt for a simple ballerina flat in black or even a very simple black stiletto – just the right heel, nothing that will leave you on your knees at a crowded table. Remember to stay practical in these difficult, festive, situations, that is what we like to call, Christmas Day Elegance, dear. You can always carry your elegant ballet shoes in your handbag, in case you get into the party spirit.
- A splash of colour, that is a big 'no no.' This is the time to use 'elegant, delicate, femininity, sparkle and shimmer.’ - If you must wear colour, try a little silver for your necklace - a little 'twinkle' from silver would be fine. Remember, no heavy sparkly necklaces that weigh you down; elegant and delicate should be your mantra for the day! This is not the day to make a fashion statement.
One more little piece of advice that’s critical to ‘being’ a Christmas day ballerina - your hair has to be perfect: a smooth bun (if you have the confidence and the skill) can be ideal. It’s elegant and easy to achieve with practice – if you're struggling try a chic french plait that goes up and over the head, with the ends twisted to create a little bun effect – the rest can be let loose in waves to add femininity! (That’s if your relatives have let loose, in waves.)
The rest is up to you... you can create an entire elegant and elegant personality, just as you’ve been rehearsing since you were a little girl! But, now is your time! Grab your ballet bag (no, don’t actually take your dance bag), but perhaps keep a white tutu close, and enjoy your Christmas lunch... the Christmas Ballerina way!