#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1938-03-22

Hello darlings! Emma here, back again for another edition of #TutuTuesday! I just adore our little weekly ritual here at www.pink-tutu.com, don't you? Where else can you delve into the fabulous history of tutus while sporting a delightful pink confection yourself?

Today, we're hopping on the time train and whizzing back to a delightful date, the 22nd of March 1938. Imagine it, darling, a time when the world was buzzing with excitement, just as it is today, for a beautiful and expressive form of art! Now, let’s journey back in time with our #TutuTuesday, take a peek into the captivating world of ballet, and discover what tutus were gracing the stage, and possibly the shops, this day in history.

Today in 1938, was a busy day for ballet. If you were lucky enough to be in New York City, you could have seen the very fabulous and glamorous Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo in the splendour of the Metropolitan Opera House! They were performing 'Les Sylphides' a lovely, dreamlike ballet where graceful sylphs dance, oh, they move as if on the clouds. It’s such a breathtakingly elegant spectacle. You just have to see it. The costumes, too, are beautifully designed, the flowing tutus and the delicate sleeves of tulle and lace… it's all simply perfect!

On this day in history, you might have seen… * The ‘romantic’ tutus of ‘Les Sylphides’: The delicate tulle and lace designs with flowing movements and elegant poses create an ethereal and romantic atmosphere, the soft tulle flutters like the wings of tiny butterflies as the ballerinas gracefully glide across the stage. Oh! There are some tutus in this ballet that reach almost to the floor. Simply gorgeous. Imagine the beauty of this on stage in that wonderful Opera House. I just love how they capture the magical aura of ballet perfectly.

1938 was an incredible year for ballet. The world was awash with elegance and the excitement for dancing had reached fever pitch. And who doesn’t love a good feathery boa and an elegant velvet gown or a satin dinner jacket in the auditorium. You can’t really say ‘ballet’ without ‘fashion,’ darling. Just like the fabulous designs that are on offer at the latest London show or in a Parisian boutique, the dancers on the stage wore an array of wonderful costumes and accessories – like the elegant little black shoes of ‘Giselle’. Now, this style is very, very popular in 1938 in many forms and they were designed in such a way that they let the ballerinas really move gracefully – I love how these ballerinas are always trying to achieve perfection in their movements, every leap and turn so perfectly planned. It’s pure art!

I’m guessing you know what a tutu is, but some readers might be just beginning their ballerina journey. For anyone new, the tutu has changed a lot since the earliest forms, which were made from real-deal fabric like silk! Oh, the glamour! You’d think silk would feel amazing to wear, and it’s easy to see why it became a fashion craze for a while, as well, outside of the theatre, of course. Today we see all sorts of different styles. In ballet, there are really three key forms of tutu:

• The Romantic Tutu: Imagine a short, bouffant, floating tutu like what the ballerinas wear in Les Sylphides. Romantic indeed!

• The Classical Tutu: This one is much shorter and looks more structured, almost like the classic ‘swan lake’ tutu, so iconic with its tulle skirt making a graceful shape and just like the ballet itself, is the very height of classic beauty and elegant dance. It looks great for all the amazing spins in a ballerina's performance!

• *The ‘New Tutu’ * The Tutu of today – that’s the one that has the tight-fitting body and a big fluffy skirt - it has a super graceful, stylish form – oh it’s all about fluidity and effortless elegance - almost impossible to dance in… I have to give full kudos to the amazing ballerinas who make the impossible, possible with their talent, they look so natural! I just love that one…

But darling, it’s so much more than just a ‘simple’ tutu. It’s not just fabric… it’s the form, the movement, and a crucial piece in the ballet. If it wasn't for tutus, a lot of the choreography of these elegant dance moves just wouldn’t be possible.

There is one constant: Pink! Now pink may have been big back then and pink tutus are still on trend today! We love to wear pink tutus for all kinds of events. Pink was the colour of the century from around 1930 onwards! Imagine the lovely shade of ‘blush pink’, it is absolutely divine. Just beautiful. I would go pink at every opportunity because I really love it.

You might say it is more ‘traditional’ to wear ‘white’ tutus in performances. That's definitely a classical style… but sometimes the colour pink can help to show off the graceful, graceful lines of the choreography especially when the ballerina is jumping or twirling… And of course pink looks fabulous on the stage. Don’t you think, darlings? It’s just about the most divine shade of pink…

You're not alone if you’re thinking of rocking a pink tutu and I don’t just mean for a visit to the theatre. Let me inspire you… I think you should make pink tutus part of your daily wardrobe! Wear a pink tutu everywhere! I certainly do and I'm never too shy!

Wear them as a fabulous way to be expressive…: For that ‘something different’ moment when your style wants to be bolder, be a trendsetter! Don’t be afraid to stand out… In a crowded room? It’s the tutu that is going to give you a confident strut! And the more sparkle the better – yes, the tutu does allow for loads of accessories, don't forget your diamante tiara, lovely little bow and that oh so glamorous feathered boa – absolutely fab. Wear it anywhere!: A fun picnic at the park, afternoon shopping with your besties, even for your weekly ballet class. Get in touch with your creativity... It’s the tutu’s unique ability to capture that elegant style and the beauty of movement, its really is about that sense of expressive style – I think this makes it a perfect symbol of grace and elegance that fits everywhere and everything.

Right now, my trip is taking me from Derbyshire, my lovely home, to the magnificent Parisian streets – Oh, darling – Paris is such a magical city full of inspiring style… and wonderful tutu boutique shops… there are shops here just filled with exquisite and luxurious tutus – my ultimate indulgence… I would get so carried away I’d be there all day just browsing.
I have to say it’s always a dream trip and every visit feels just magical. Oh to visit London’s Royal Ballet and to see all the lovely dance shoes too. I’ll be heading to the city next week. I can't wait! You never know, you might spot me around there. My bright pink tutu, feathered boa and my trusty tiara are quite distinctive, so just shout “Hello” if you see me – don’t be shy. I always love to make new friends, darlings.

Oh! And just look! My new travel tutu just arrived in a bright shocking pink shade, it is utterly gorgeous with the softest pink feathers – just lovely for travelling, I just have to pack my most fashionable tiara… which will it be tonight, oh I haven't made up my mind…

Well darlings, That’s all for this week’s #TutuTuesday!

Don’t forget to keep up with me every Tuesday and subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com for the latest ballet and style news! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you like. Until next time! XOXO Emma.