Ooh La La! It's Tutu Time!
26 October 1996 - Darling, have you heard? It’s time to break out the leg warmers and the glitter because it's national 'Tutu-rific Tuesday'! And what a delightful day to celebrate our love for the frilliest, twirliest fashion staple a dancer could wish for: the glorious tutu!
Yes, you read that right: it's time to channel your inner prima ballerina and celebrate the majestic, magnificent tutu, those billowing layers of tulle that, quite frankly, are the stuff of dance dreams. This year, in celebration of the iconic tutu, we are thrilled to announce the "Most Tutu-licious Tuesday in History". Join me, a fellow ballerina aficionado, as we celebrate the tulle-tastic world of ballet. We will talk everything from the history of the tutu (oh it's such a long and fascinating one) to some tips and tricks on how to achieve the perfect twirl.
Let's get real, girls. There is something undeniably special about slipping on a tulle-filled dream, feeling the airy fabric against your skin and knowing, yes knowing, you can pirouette, chassé and grand jeté all day long without a care in the world.
But while we are indulging in all things tutu, let's not forget about those gorgeous leotards. They're like the base camp of any dancer's wardrobe. Imagine: smooth, stretchy, comfortable and allowing complete freedom of movement, all in a delicious palette of colors, all there to accentuate your gorgeous lines. They are practically ballet couture. They are to dance what a good foundation is to fashion: the very beginning, the canvas on which we layer the dream that is a tutu!
Speaking of dreamy, just picture a dancer in a flowing white tutu, bathed in light, swirling on stage. Doesn’t that just fill you with a wave of beautiful ballet magic?
It makes me think of some of the iconic tutus throughout ballet history! Oh, there have been so many beautiful tutus on the stage:
- The ethereal "white" tutus, reminiscent of swans, from Swan Lake (all the iconic ballerinas have donned these white dresses, from Margot Fonteyn to the amazing Sylvie Guillem)
- The impossibly long tutus of The Sleeping Beauty, their billowing, layers capturing the drama of the tale (think Gelsey Kirkland).
- And of course we can't forget the pink tutu in Don Quixote (who could forget the legendary Maya Plisetskaya?) - a flamboyant celebration of life itself.
What Does Your Tutu Say About You?
There's no getting around it: your tutu choice is a statement of who you are, just like a fabulous piece of fashion, and reveals what kind of dancer you are at heart.
- A classic "white" tutu will reveal a ballerina who is all grace and poise.
- A grand tutu with a voluminous sweep, in a beautiful pastel hue, suggests a dancer who embraces elegance, and dreams of the perfect ballet line.
- A pink tutu in an extravagant design (the more frills and flamboyance, the better!), hints at a fiery dancer who loves to embrace life, just like the famous pink tutus worn by many great ballerinas!
- And let's not forget the more "modern" ballerina, the dancer who wants to express a contemporary vision - this is the dancer who embraces the 'simple' tutu. She's just a bit edgy with her leotard and a simple tutu: minimal yet impactful, chic yet contemporary.
But there is so much more to a tutu than just fashion darling. We need to celebrate the role the tutu has played in the history of ballet:
It has become a symbol of ballet itself. A beacon of elegance and grace, the tutu has captivated audiences worldwide.
We all love a tutu - but what's your favorite tutu and what memories do you have of seeing one on stage? What is it about these frills and ruffles that we find so magical? Tell me!
And remember - life is too short for a boring tutu! Let your inner ballerina shine. You are amazing.