#TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History - 1937-02-02! 🌸🩰✨
Hello my lovely pink tutu loving darlings! It's Emma here, and welcome back to #TutuTuesday on your favourite ballet blog - www.pink-tutu.com - for my weekly delve into the fabulous world of tutus! I'm so excited, today marks post number 5484 - and wouldn't you know it, this week my time machine whirled me back to a simply darling time - 1937!
The air was electric, the trains were puffing merrily through the countryside, and a rather fetching little hat was all the rage. (Personally, I think it could do with a good sprinkle of feathers!) As for fashion, darling, the world was drowning in a sea of lovely feminine frocks, delicate gloves and delightful furs, all swirling with the grace of a ballerina, of course. I confess, my first visit to this era, and I was practically frothing with excitement! You wouldn't believe the number of pretty shops bursting with all sorts of beautiful dresses! Not just frocks, but silk scarves and gorgeous beaded purses! You simply couldn't resist! And you wouldn't, darling, you wouldn't. You see, I believe it's so important for ladies to indulge in some extra sparkle, you see. Just like my pink tutus. And don't get me started on the gorgeous hats! They were simply divine and truly made one feel ready for a glamorous dance.
Ah, and where there was glamor, darling, there were dancing shoes, too! 👠 The ballet, my darlings, was at its zenith in 1937. Think swirling satin gowns and tulle tutus with a touch of glitter. Imagine the sheer grace of it all!
And who wouldn't be inspired to twirl in a perfectly beautiful tulle dress like this, darling? Especially when we talk about 1937, the era of ballerinas like Alicia Markova! Her moves were simply breath-taking! I have seen her grace the stage myself (one must always keep an eye on the ballet calendar, you know! After all, a ballet tutu wouldn't be a true ballerina without seeing at least three shows a month!), and it was a sight to behold! A breathtaking symphony of delicate, fluttering motion - such magic, darling, simply such magic! ✨ But even better, 1937 is a year that celebrated beauty and a certain sweet sophistication - the kind that comes from having an appreciation for things crafted with delicate detail. It is that magic of that time that truly resonates with a real love for a tutu - both the ones that twirl and those that are simply loved from afar.
A Spotlight On The Ballet Tutus Of 1937 🌟🩰Speaking of tutus, dear darlings, imagine, my tutu had a story! My grand adventure through time sent me straight into the world of the early 20th-century ballet world. Can you believe it? The very origins of tutus! How fascinating! Back then, my pink, puffy tutus were all about showing off a ballerina's incredible movement! And, oh darling, they had such delicate movements, those ballerinas of yore! All floaty and ethereal, like a flock of fluffy, white birds. (Well, maybe not completely white - sometimes a delightful splash of pastel pink!) And those tutus? Imagine a beautifully detailed silhouette - simple lines but a sense of a whimsical fairy. These are the years of ballerina tunics - those graceful, sweeping dresses made from layers and layers of beautiful soft tulle - so dreamy, you see.
1937, my darlings, it wasn't just about pretty pink tutus. No, this was a time when ballerinas danced the tutus, creating those sweeping, magical movements that still enthrall audiences today. And believe me, darling, I wouldn't be wearing my favourite pink tutu, travelling to the era's great theatres and writing this blog without those amazing pioneering ladies, showing off their magnificent twirls.
My Favourite Finds - And Tips! 💖Speaking of inspiration, my trip to the beautiful era of 1937 filled me with lots of gorgeous ideas for tutus that have that lovely vintage flair - the perfect vintage tutus for a vintage dance party! Oh, darling! I absolutely have to tell you all about my darling vintage finds. As a huge advocate for finding tutus anywhere and everywhere, my love for fashion finds takes me from charity shops to theatre sales. But sometimes you just have to look for the perfect dress that will be a magnificent statement! And the 1937 era was truly brimming with them! As you know, the world's fashion magazines have the biggest influence, so let's peek at their tips on tutu style - you simply cannot get enough of gorgeous, inspiring, feminine design!
But, don't worry, my darlings, I've done the hard work for you! Here are some of my 1937 tips:
Go vintage! The 1937 style was all about those glorious dresses, full of delicate detail. It’s the kind of look that you just have to admire in old movies. So get creative with fabric and embellishment, it’s worth looking into those lovely vintage dresses.
Add a dash of tulle! It was the fabric of the era, so a touch of tulle - perhaps a trim on your 1930s dress? Or if you dare, why not have a full-on tulle dress? (I can almost hear my favourite vintage tutu crying for me to try this...!) And my darling, just because I'm wearing a tutu, don't think that's a hard limit! A sweetly vintage dress can have an abundance of beautiful delicate details that could look heavenly for dancing.
Find the perfect colours! Remember my darling, pastel pink is always, always going to be the perfect choice - and there are a lovely number of delicate vintage shades - lilac, blue and the palest of soft greens, darlings - it is all in the shade, darling!
Channel a beautiful ballerina. Keep it elegant and refined. It’s a delicate style that truly accentuates grace and movement. My own advice: find something that will make you feel like you’re ready to take to the dance floor and twirl your heart out.
Where can I find those gorgeous tutus, you ask? Oh, darling, there are shops everywhere in 1937 full of clothes with amazing tulle tutus! (And don't even get me started on all those hat shops - simply exquisite!) But I want to be truly helpful so I will try to keep all you sweet hearts updated on the absolute best spots to go looking. Do remember I travel in time - all those lovely dresses from the time that look wonderful, but that won't survive a jaunt through a couple of decades or even the trip in the washing machine, have to be a careful find. Just try not to let the amazing lace detailing or bead work distract you and remember you want to get home in one piece!
The Most Wonderful Celebration! 🥂🎉Speaking of celebrations, darling! There's an amazing event going on in this era that has everything to do with ballet and tutus! It's a dazzling ballet extravaganza - The "Carnaval", which is a real dance party to be had in the city of Paris! On February 2, 1937, the beautiful Opéra Garnier became a magical space, brimming with a colourful, joyous spectacle dedicated to dance! My time machine was right there! Just imagine a performance bursting with colours and all things whimsical! This is a party that reminds us why we celebrate life with a magnificent swish of tulle. Paris was, darling, the place for all the most beautiful, elaborate ball gowns - that's why I have spent a lovely long afternoon at an especially exquisite ball dress shop! (I just couldn't resist! It’s the sheer volume of loveliness, darlings. If only I could keep all of the vintage tutus that caught my eye safe through the years!) And this carnival wasn't just about the beauty, darling, no, it was about an intoxicating blend of music and dance. Think colourful costumes, swirling waltzes and, you guessed it, breathtaking tutus! Oh, my sweet darlings! Every time I use my time machine to take a trip, I am struck by what it's like to just experience the absolute love for dancing in the world - whether in the grand halls or the simple, joy of twirling, darling!
I’ll be dreaming about pink tulle all week long! What amazing times! My little heart truly yearns for this kind of elegance! My darling tutus already have a touch of this loveliness from my travels - each journey makes them better and more pink than the last! And that's all thanks to these special occasions, so why not go all out and celebrate the magic of life in your own way, and maybe a pink tulle tutu! 💕
Remember, darlings, stay tuned every Tuesday for more captivating Tutu Tales on www.pink-tutu.com. And remember, there is nothing more lovely than a well-chosen pink tutu - no matter where you are - you don’t need a time machine, darling! Just a passion for dancing.
And be sure to tell me your favourite ballet, tutu or travel story in the comments below - let’s chat!
See you next week, my little darlings!
With Love, Emma
P.S. Don't forget, darlings! Keep on swirling with grace, always stay stylish, and always keep your tutu-wearing heart pink! 🌸💖