Hello, my lovely Tutu Tribe! It's Tuesday, and you know what that meansā¦ drumrollā¦ another glorious #TutuTuesday!
This week, I'm taking you all on a time-traveling trip back to the fabulous year of 1940! Picture it: the air is filled with the scent of lavender and freshly-baked cakes, everyone's wearing pretty frocks, and there's a lovely, bustling energy in the airā¦ we're in London, my dears! And yes, this time, we're talking real travelā¦ no magic train rides or magical portal shoes for me! (Although I did try to fashion a pair from those sparkly flats with the little bows, it was a disaster!)
For this trip, it was ballet performances, ballet classes, ballet theatre shows, and ballet rehearsals galore! All to raise enough dosh for the fare to London! Let me tell you, keeping a ballet schedule, going shopping for vintage outfits (which was just fabulous, let me tell you), and then prepping for my performance in the middle of Derbyshire's charming countryside is quite the task. But when the goal is to find some truly spectacular tutu history and bring it to you in all its pink glory, I'll gladly climb every hill in the Peak District! And hey, it's a workout! Just the sort of exercise a ballet girl needs, you see.
Alright, you ready for some truly exquisite historical trivia?
A Time for Glamour, Romanceā¦ and a Spot of War
Itās interesting, isn't it? 1940: itās the middle of WWII, yet even then, amidst the turmoil, fashion and beauty reigned! Ballet, with its grace, elegance, and utter gorgeousness, continued to captivate audiences. In fact, the world was still head over heels for the beautiful tutus that danced their way across stages across the globe. They were a symbol of hope and escapism, offering audiences a chance to lose themselves in stories of love and triumph ā even amidst the hardships.
Now, you might be wondering: what kind of tutus were making a splash in 1940?
Tutus on the Stageā¦ and in Everyday Life
Well, think romantic, think whimsicalā¦think ballerina-ready for the ball.
These tutus, my darlings, weren't the big, puffy, full-bodied affairs you see in many contemporary ballets today. 1940's tutus were graceful, airy, and focused on showcasing the movement and grace of the dancers. We're talking long, flowing tulle, gathered to create billowing silhouettes that caught the light like magic. Often these tutus featured beautiful pastel colours ā pinks, blues, soft yellows, all perfect for those whimsical ballets, like "Giselle."
Just imagine the exquisite spectacle on stage. There was nothing more lovely than a troupe of ballerinas, bathed in light, their graceful tutus floating across the stage! It was a feast for the eyes!
Speaking of the "everyday" lifeā¦ it seems tutus were more than just a performance-only garment back then! Yes, tutus were finding their way into women's wardrobes - if you had the time and sewing skill that is! There were even tutus created specifically for everyday wear, as it turns out! There was just so much charm and romance in those timesā¦ not so different from today actually! Just the same gorgeous love for tutus and romanceā¦ just maybe a bit more glamour back in those days!
Let's Not Forget The Historyā¦
While those enchanting tulle tutus reigned supreme in the dance world, let's not forget the other fascinating elements of tutu history. Back then, you also saw the continued use of the classical tutu, or pancake tutu, with its shorter length, more rigid design. You can think of these tutus as the predecessor to the more modern ones we see today, those gorgeous full, tutu-style skirts we see dancers sporting! These āpancakeā tutus, in their simple yet elegant way, helped lay the groundwork for what we consider ātutusā today!
1940: A Day of Elegance and Artistic Inspiration
So, there you have it, my lovely Tutu Tribe! Now you know just how tutu-licious the world was back in 1940. Remember to look back, and always appreciate those vintage designs! Just imagine all those talented dancers gracing stages around the world in their captivating tutus, filling the air with grace and beauty.
Donāt forget, my lovely Tutu Tribe, to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com to receive all my weekly #TutuTuesday blog posts, packed with history, charm, and endless tutu inspiration. I look forward to welcoming you back next week for more historical adventures into the world of tutus!
Stay tutu-ful, and rememberā¦ lifeās too short not to wear pink!
