Welcome, lovelies, to post number 5339 of my Ballet Tutu History blog! It's another glorious #TutuTuesday, and I'm absolutely twirling with excitement to take you back to 24th April, 1934, for a glimpse of ballet tutus in a rather different era. Today, we're going to the grandest of stages: London! Now, London is always buzzing with fashion, and 1934 was no exception. This is a time of sleek and sophisticated style, just imagine Audrey Hepburn on the London Underground, that's the vibe we're aiming for.
Time Travelling to 1934 in Style
For my journey through the decades, my vintage steamer trunk is a necessity. I couldn't dream of going time-hopping without my feather boa and a stunning pink feather fan. After all, one must travel in style! My favourite mode of transport is always the train - the glamour of a train carriage is just unmatched in comparison to boring modern travel!
I just love this time period. The fashion! The grace! The tutus! The colour pink was all the rage! From hats and dresses to shoes and jewellery, this elegant shade is making its mark in a huge way! Oh, the blush pinks, rose pinks and even a splash of magenta that's cropping up on every fashionable lady. I bet it'll be popping up in tutus soon too, I've just got a feeling.
The Ballet Scene in 1934
So, as we step back into the 1930s, what's happening in the world of ballet? Well, this was the Golden Age of Ballet in London! Imagine: majestic theatres adorned with sparkling chandeliers, and dancers executing their graceful movements with the most delicate artistry. It was truly breathtaking, a scene right out of a storybook! The iconic Royal Opera House, also known as Covent Garden, was the heart and soul of the London Ballet Scene, the theatre where you were guaranteed to see the most stunning shows.
On 24th April 1934, The Royal Opera House was presenting the dazzling ‘Les Sylphides’, a beautiful piece that embodies ethereal romance and delicate choreography, it was the ultimate fairy tale for adults, and it absolutely had to feature those classic long white tutus - and what tutus they were! With yards and yards of flowing silk, these were not tutus meant to be hidden under layers of a heavy overskirt!
Imagine a ballet stage overflowing with elegant, ethereal sylphs wearing delicate tutus that moved like smoke, it's an enchanting image! These are the sort of tutus that take me back to the roots of ballet, to those dreamy visions of grace and elegance that the whole world swoons over. Now, my dearest lovelies, there's a big difference between a sylph's flowing tutu and the flamboyant frills of the tutu we’d associate with ballerinas in later years. While the early 1930s featured long, soft tutus for a gentle ethereal look, in the 40s the iconic ‘Romantic Tutus’, full of tiers of frills, and shorter lengths, took to the stage and became incredibly popular, it seems they’ve just never left!
Beyond the Theatre: Ballet's Influences on Fashion
1934 was a time when the elegance of the ballet stage seeped into fashion trends and everyone was feeling it! Just like my beloved tutus! Women were embracing graceful silhouettes, and fashion became a harmonious interplay between comfort, elegance and functionality. That timeless elegance is something that is just swooning, even now in 2023. Just picture women in stylish slim fitting skirts and dresses with accents of satin and luxurious lace and their dance shoes... so sophisticated! It was truly an era of feminine poise and elegance, and what better inspiration for the tutu world than the effortless charm and fluidity of ballet itself?
This influence meant that tutus went beyond the realm of the stage and graced the wardrobes of many a fashion enthusiast, of course, in their more ‘everyday wear’ fashion! They became ‘wearable’ in an almost whimsical manner. Just picture a lovely lady swirling across a ball room, her soft tulle, dancing around her - that's how you wear a tutu back in the day! Oh, I could go on about fashion all day. I wish I could stay in 1934 forever and dress in nothing but silks and delicate chiffons, but I suppose my dear readers have to be grateful that I have brought back the best of 1934 with me, right?
The Ever-Expanding World of Ballet Tutus
Oh my dears! One thing is for sure, ballet and tutus continue to evolve in this ever-changing world! Now we’re going through a revival of ballet on stage, not to mention a wave of ‘balletcore’, that's when everyday clothes are getting that feminine flair and ballet-inspired aesthetics. Oh! and this ‘balletcore’ trend even sees a new wave of everyday wear tutus… in any colour! There is always an amazing new development for the tutu, they just don't ever stop evolving, it’s an evolution that makes me dance with joy!
Pink is Always the Answer, Darling
I always end my #TutuTuesday blog on this sweet note - even with all these new developments there is something so special about the colour pink. This pretty pink is my absolute favourite, from delicate baby pink to those punchy bubblegum shades! They're so full of feminine energy, elegance, and charm, perfect for all our amazing ballet looks! And remember darling, you can add pink tutus to almost any outfit: it’s time to embrace those shades and show off your personal style, and for you my dear readers I just hope that I have inspired you all to embrace a pink tutu, wherever you may find yourself.
Tutu Tuesdays! Let's Meet Again Next Week!
Until next Tuesday, when I'll be taking you on another trip back in time to discover a new historical ballet gem, remember my lovelies - *Never stop twirling! *
P.S. Be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com for more of my travelogues through tutu history. You can also follow me on Insta @PinkTutuBallerina and say hi, I love meeting new dance friends!
This post was written in a fictional setting and no historical figures are portrayed, this is a whimsical creative exercise to enjoy.
