Darling, prepare to be utterly scandalized! It's official - tutus have had their last curtain call. I mean, we've all seen the rise and fall of fashion trends, but who could have imagined our beloved tulle dreams would fall victim to the latest whims? Apparently, some forward-thinking, "dare I say avant-garde," fashionistas are turning their noses at the sheer elegance of a classic tutu. Honestly, it's positively barbaric!
Yesterday, I witnessed a spectacle at Covent Garden that had my heart practically fluttering out of my chest, and it wasn't a ballet. A group of what appeared to be "fashion influencers," (dare I say "influencers" - the sheer gall!) stood outside the Royal Opera House, dressed in, dare I say it, **tracksuits** - tracksuits! Can you imagine? They proclaimed to be staging a protest against "the tyranny of the tutu," with slogans such as "Free the Legs," "Get Your Body Out of the Cage" and, darling, I'm not even joking - "Releasing Our Inner Ballerina Through Activewear." What a revolting development. The poor dancers backstage looked positively mortified. What has the world come to?
But darling, I'm not one to give in to the masses, just yet. While I can understand why some find the traditional tutu, shall we say, slightly "old fashioned", it's a reminder of the timeless beauty of ballet. The airy flow, the exquisite design, it's an embodiment of pure grace and elegance - just as captivating as a perfectly curated Chanel ensemble. Think of the sheer amount of fabric! The endless possibilities for embellishment, from shimmering sequins to delicate embroidery, all meant to make the dancers literally shimmer under the stage lights! It's pure enchantment! And then you've got the colour - a beautiful contrast with the classic white of the dancers leotards and pointes.
Now, don't misunderstand me - I do appreciate a chic pair of leggings myself - when it comes to Pilates or my Sunday brunch errands. But a ballet class without a tutu, is like… well, imagine your favourite London cafe, but without the pastries, or an afternoon at Wimbledon without strawberries and cream! Just, no.
Here's a look at what’s making tutus a real no-no:
- **The 'Practical' argument**: Darling, the argument that tutus are "uncomfortable," is simply ridiculous! I mean, yes, a ballerina needs to be athletic, yes, it needs to be carefully designed and meticulously tailored to fit the dancer’s body perfectly. It is, dare I say, a technical garment. But let me remind you, ballet itself isn't about practicality! It's a glorious dance, about a perfect mix of physical and emotional expression! If dancers couldn't wear them, it just wouldn’t be ballet.
- **The ‘Unnecessary Gender Stereotyping’ argument’: **Darling, this is getting ridiculous. Ballet is a form of dance, pure and simple, and the tutu has nothing to do with a "gender-based identity," or anything like it. This isn't about dressing as a fairy! It's about grace, beauty, artistry, and a very special art form!
- **The ‘Outdated Style’ Argument': ** This is simply untrue, my dear! Tutus have evolved for centuries, from their earliest appearances as simple, "dress-like" versions of modern tutus in the early 19th century, right through to the dramatic, dramatic, oversized styles favoured in the Romantic era and on to the beautifully sleek contemporary creations that grace the stage today. They’re so stylish they've even been adopted into mainstream fashion for a good 40 years. And why? Because they are chic and fabulous! Look no further than the **Givenchy**, **Christian Dior** and **Miu Miu** collections. And as for the classic, traditional tutu - that's iconic. Think **Audrey Hepburn** in “Funny Face". Or **Margot Fonteyn**.
- ** The 'Lack of Inclusivity' Argument': ** Oh please, this argument is frankly nauseating! A beautiful, hand-sewn, silk and tulle confection, lovingly crafted to grace the perfect ballerina? Who’s to say that any of these modern-day ‘influencers’ could even fit into one?!
Look, I'm all for change, but sometimes we have to embrace tradition. And, darling, I am sure, you will agree with me, that there's no need to turn away from tradition in our beautiful ballet world! After all, tutus embody elegance, timeless grace and that glorious ‘I've just arrived at a posh dinner party’ energy - simply enchanting.