Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back for another jaunt into the magical history of the tutu! As you know, it's Tutu Tuesday, so buckle up buttercup and get ready to journey with me. This week, we're hopping on a time-traveling train (sorry, no pink carriages here!), and whisking ourselves back to February 27th, 1940. Imagine the scene: rationing is in full swing, the Second World War is casting a long shadow, but that doesn't mean there isn't still space for a bit of elegance and twirling!
As always, let's first pop by my trusty research tome (always a touch more glamorous than a dusty old book, I assure you!) to get a bit of context on where the tutu stood in the world at this point.
The Tutu in 1940: A Look Back
Fast forward a few decades from our last Tutu Tuesday adventure, and tutus were really becoming their own, distinct ballet essential. By this point, the classic tutu romantique with its shorter, tiered layers was a popular staple on stages all over the world, including, of course, the glamorous theatres of New York and London.
However, 1940 was a turning point in ballet, as it was in so many other things! This was the year the London Ballet began its work, bringing together talent from all over, giving more opportunity for ballet to thrive. But war time meant a new look was emerging in fashion, including, you guessed it, tutus. The use of fabric and material was much more considered with everything needing to be efficient. And did this stop those elegant ballet dancers? Not at all, they adapted beautifully. It brought about an incredible time of innovation and new design in ballet.
Now, I hear you all asking, "But Emma, what about tutus for everyday life? Didn't people in the 1940s wear pink tutus to the local shops or down the street to meet their friends?" Ah, dear hearts, sadly, we're a little far from the days of tutu for everyday. Even if there was an abundant supply of fabric (which there certainly wasn't!), society wouldn't be as receptive to this, not quite yet. It was primarily the realm of those graceful ballerinas, though, even then, perhaps some cheeky schoolgirls used their petticoats for secret, under-the-bed ballet routines!
Let's Go to the Show!
Where should we go to witness some tutu magic in 1940? Well, London, of course, is calling! Just imagine that London Ballet in action, a spectacle of talent and grace! With so much happening in the world, ballet must have brought some much needed respite and beauty to those lucky enough to attend.
Tutu Style!
Speaking of beauty, even during those uncertain times, fashion continued to inspire, particularly with dancewear! Imagine soft pastels and classic designs in ballerina shoes! (No rainbow glittery rainbow tutu shoes for this decade, darling!). I wonder what those iconic ballerinas were wearing to the theatre - and what colour tulle graced those delightful London stages? The wartime blues may have been a bit dark for a tutu, but there's a world of delicate, powder pink shades, think vintage silk, that surely were all the rage! And maybe even a splash of yellow here and there, to add that bit of sunny optimism!
Time-Travelling Treats
Oh my, this makes me wish I could have travelled back to enjoy the sweet treats of the day! (Okay, my time travel powers only allow for ballet tickets, not enough to eat my way through all the decadent London cafes!). I imagine some delicious cake and cream, maybe even a little something with rum and almond to add that extra wartime cheer!
Looking Ahead to the Future
What's so special about this time? Well, 1940 was a period of uncertainty and transformation. And wouldn't you know it, those very things paved the way for incredible innovations and adaptations in fashion, including those wonderful tutus!
So, as you head out this Tutu Tuesday, remember that, despite what the world may be throwing at us, there's always space for a touch of ballet magic, a sprinkle of fashion joy, and maybe, just maybe, a twirl to lift your spirits!
Keep twirling, lovelies! And remember, you can join me on www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for our #TutuTuesday balletic time travel! Until next week,
XOXO Emma
