Hello my darling darlings! It's Emma here, your trusty tutu-loving time traveller, back with another blast from the past!
This week we're dipping our toes into the wonderful world of 1929, a year that saw fashion changing faster than a ballerina's pirouette. Now, let me tell you, as a Derbyshire girl myself, 1929 wasn't the era of pink tutus just yet. Imagine my surprise, travelling to this time and finding women in their flapper dresses! Now, flapper dresses are fabulous in their own right - a bit of a daring, fun look, you know? But you won't find a single tutus among them.
So, where were the tutus? Where were those beautiful fluffy creations, demanding to be twirled upon? Well, 1929 was an interesting time for the tutu.
Imagine the stage: you have the iconic Russian Ballet (my personal favourite!). They were performing incredible shows - you just have to see "The Firebird" if you can. The costumes were lavish and breathtaking, with dancers wearing those elegant, diaphanous skirts, billowing with every move. But these weren't quite the tutus we know and love today. These were what they called "tutu de point" or "tutu plat." They were like short, fuller skirts made of tulle, held up with a tight waistband. No full-on tulle glory yet!
Think of those beautiful dancing images you've seen, the ethereal elegance. Now, try to picture those dancers with the classic fluffy tutu we adore. Doesn't quite have the same graceful, ethereal feel, does it? I like to imagine it's why those gorgeous "tutu plat" came about, but perhaps, it's the perfect example of how fashion evolves with each era!
You see, back in 1929, the fashion scene was obsessed with "streamlining." Everything had to be smooth, fluid, and effortless. Flapper dresses with their low waists, boyish silhouettes... all perfect for dancing the Charleston, darling! But even in this era of flapper fashion, a small trend started to emerge: the tutu as we know it, starting to take its first tiny steps into the world.
While the Russians were using the "tutu de point" for their dramatic productions, it was in ballet classes that the fluffy "tutu romantique" we adore started to show its face.
It’s amazing, isn't it, that ballet - which for so many years had been all about rigid, stiff corsets and voluminous skirts, suddenly started embracing something so lightweight and carefree.
1929, while not the year the pink tutu was born, it was definitely a key stepping stone in its evolution! Who knows what fashion surprises await us next in my time travel adventures?
As I’m off to another delightful vintage shop on my current travels, remember to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more fashion-tastic #TutuTuesday blogs!
And don't forget: I’m living proof that a pink tutu can take you anywhere! See you next Tuesday for more tutu history!
Stay sparkly, my darlings, and don’t forget to wear your tutu with pride!
Love,
Emma. 💖🩰
