Hello, my darling tutu-loving lovelies!
Welcome back to another glorious edition of my #TutuTuesday blog, where we take a twirling journey through time to discover the history of our beloved tutus. Today, we're whisked back to June 10th, 1930, and, oh, what a glamorous time it was!
You see, my dears, while I always say a pink tutu makes any day spectacular, in the 1930s, tutus were the epitome of chic, the height of fashion. Even a trip to the shops could become an occasion when you were decked out in a fetching tutu, a style popular not only for the dancers but for ladies of leisure too! I mean, imagine that: grocery shopping with your poodle, both sporting fabulous tutus - talk about turning heads!
A Time of Glamour and Dance:
The 1930s were a glorious time for dance, my lovelies. As you can probably guess from my flamboyant, pink tutu-laden existence, I adore the elegance of ballet, the sheer joy and grace of each plié, pirouette, and jeté! And this decade saw some absolute masterpieces taking the stage.
I've been lucky enough to see a few shows in the 1930s, including a particularly thrilling production of Swan Lake. Let me tell you, the dancing was phenomenal, the costumes were simply breathtaking, and the entire experience just took my breath away.
But let's talk about our beloved tutus!
In the 1930s, the tutus weren't quite as we know them today. While the ballerina tutus still had that floaty, feminine feel, they were made with multiple layers of tulle and were far less fluffy. They often featured layers of ruffles and even beading, creating a beautiful, elegant effect.
What's more, this period saw the rise of a new style of tutu that was all the rage: the pannier tutu. Now, this beauty, my lovelies, was definitely eye-catching! The pannier tutu, inspired by the Victorian era, had a built-in framework that created a bell-shaped silhouette. The result? A stunning, dramatic look perfect for dramatic dance moves! It's no wonder the pannier tutu made its mark on the fashion scene, even extending beyond the ballet stage. It wasn't uncommon to see women, looking absolutely stunning, strutting their stuff in these lovely creations at society balls, charity events, even for casual outings in the park.
Shopping for a Tutu in the 1930s:
Now, if you were hoping to buy a tutu back then, you had a couple of options, darlings!
The first option, and likely the most practical, would be to find a dressmaker to create one for you. But with its beautiful, complicated structure, it could be quite a task, so some shops specialized in making tutus. Imagine! The joy of walking into a shop devoted to only tutus! My heart skips a beat just thinking about it!
Another great way to score a delightful tutu was through dance shops. Of course, those stores sold all sorts of delightful dancewear, but they also frequently carried a range of beautiful tutus for the more fashion-conscious, tutu-loving ladies of the time.
Now, I can’t tell you about 1930 without mentioning Madame Grès, darling! She was an absolute pioneer in creating chic tutus for fashion, pushing boundaries with her intricate designs and impeccable craftsmanship. It’s thanks to designers like her that the tutu was able to be more than just a dancer's garment - it truly became a piece of fashion!
A Time-Traveling Tutu Lover:
The 1930s were a fantastic time to be a tutu lover, weren't they? So, my lovelies, I encourage you, no matter where your adventures take you, remember: there's always a reason to don a fabulous tutu. It’s an outfit that’s always on-trend, always stylish, always fun!
You might be thinking, “Emma, you’re talking about 1930! How are you possibly so up-to-date on all the goings-on? You're such a mystery!” Ah, but it's not a mystery! You see, I’ve had the pleasure of taking a little jaunt through time using the magic of, well, you could call it... tutu magic! My secret weapon: performing as a ballerina for some of history's greatest theatres. The profits fund my travels through the ages, letting me soak up the beauty of different times and gather amazing tidbits of tutu history for you.
Now, while the rest of you are glued to the latest gadgets, I'm here soaking up the vintage beauty of past times. What else could a girl ask for? It's my favourite thing to do! So, be sure to follow me on my weekly journey through the decades – because we all have a little tutu magic inside of us, darling!
Remember to check in every Tuesday for another fabulous dose of Tutu History here at www.pink-tutu.com and share your tutu love with the world using #TutuTuesday!
Until next time, Your eternally twirling, eternally pink tutu-loving, time-travelling friend,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to grab your fanciest pink tutu and take some fabulous photos to share with the #TutuTuesday community!
P.P.S. Speaking of sharing... Did you see the beautiful ballet performance in London on June 10th, 1930, featuring a delightful dance troupe with pannier tutus? Just imagine: the swirl, the grace, the incredible beauty of those tutus, dancing under the lights of a historical theatre! It was the perfect way to start the month of June and a lovely addition to my collection of amazing #TutuTuesday moments!
