Darling, it's official - the world of ballet is officially having a 'moment'. Everywhere you look, it's tutus and tiaras, swan lakes and soaring leaps, and frankly, we're loving it! But with this renewed obsession with the beautiful art of ballet, we need to address the elephant in the room - the **tutú**. Oh, the tutú, my darlings. That glorious symbol of grace and poise, it's had some questionable sartorial choices over the years, shall we say. So, let's pull up a chaise lounge, darling, grab some champagne and have a little chat about the tutú. It's all a bit of a balancing act, don't you think?
Now, let's get the facts straight - **a good tutu is a thing of pure joy!** That billowing expanse of tulle, swishing about the stage like a pink, white or **sparkly cloud**. And frankly, who wouldn't want to feel like that for a few minutes? The drama, the sheer (literally) spectacle! It's pure magic.
The tutú is so iconic that it's permeated our culture. Just look around, from birthday parties with sparkly tutus, to those ' ballerina-core' Instagram photos featuring dainty heels and chic cafes (no judgment, darling!), tutus are a firm fixture in our modern zeitgeist. Even Beyonce's graced the stage in a glittery pink one! It's hard not to admire this tiny garment’s tenacity. We're so enthralled by its delicate construction, its frilly defiance of gravity. How could we resist it?
However…- The Tutu Trap: It's hard not to feel slightly embarrassed by those tutu costumes worn by toddlers during Christmas concerts. I'm not saying it's entirely off-putting (the joy in their little faces! My heart!), but wouldn't some slightly more practical clothing do? Don't get me wrong, I adore children in tulle! There is something undeniably darling about it, but do we really need to subject those darling tiddlers to the sweaty discomfort of it? A practical pair of dungarees or a festive, sequin-trimmed jumper would do just fine, don’t you think?
- The Tutus Too Much: This leads us to another sartorial issue with the tutu. In its modern iterations, we often forget that the tutu was originally designed for dancers to *dance in.* A tutú, by definition, must have **airflow.** So when **all that tulle starts clumping together and hindering a delicate pas de deux,** I can't help but wonder – *darling, who are you trying to impress?* Are those layers of ruffles really helping to accentuate those amazing leg lines you've been working so hard on? Or are they a bit *too* distracting for the audience to even appreciate those breathtaking pirouettes? There is something undeniably tragic about a dancer getting completely lost under a giant ball of pink fluffy mess.
- A Word on Pink: It's difficult to avoid a colour bias when discussing ballet, especially the ubiquitous presence of **pink.** This beautiful and dainty colour evokes femininity, grace, and a certain fairytale charm that resonates well with the ballet. But a world with only pink tutus feels uninspired and strangely restrictive. Let's not limit ourselves to this one colour when **black tutus and even those stunning pale blue options** have a strong case to be made as a stage highlight, as they can play with contrasts and bring a certain visual edge to the production. Remember that time when Margot Fonteyn gracefully twirled on stage in a **deep royal blue** tutú? Simply divine!
The tutú is a vital element in the world of dance, no denying. But like all good things in life, darling, moderation is key. Let's appreciate it for its place in the world of ballet but, please, let's move on from those puffy clouds of a garment. Remember - even princesses deserve to wear comfy shoes.
Now, pass the champagne and let's talk about all the lovely things about ballerinas' leotards...