Hiya, my darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and purveyor of all things pink and twirly. Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we celebrate the history of our beloved tutus! It’s #TutuTuesday, and today we’re taking a little trip back in time, to the 7th of September, 1943. Grab your tea and a slice of Victoria sponge, and let’s get swirling!
As you know, I’m absolutely mad about ballet. From the exquisite costumes to the graceful movements, it’s truly captivating. And I’ve been absolutely dying to tell you about the war-time glamour of the 1940s, which is the era we’re in for our jaunt today.
Now, picture this: It's wartime Britain. Rationing is in full swing, the Blitz has taken its toll on our cities, and yet, the spirit of the nation is soaring high. Even with scarcity and struggle, beauty is still sought after and embraced. People want a sense of normalcy and escape from the grim realities, and what better way to find that than with a trip to the theatre or a grand performance of ballet?
The ballet scene in Britain in 1943 is thriving, defying the hardships of war. Imagine being surrounded by the elegant rustling of silk gowns and the gentle chatter of fashionable patrons as you prepare for a breathtaking show! Even wartime attire embraced chic and style. Those pretty little ration coupons - I must say, they do make me rather yearn for those bygone days - were ingeniously turned into exquisite hat decorations or incorporated into fashionable designs. Clever ladies, those war-time women.
The iconic Royal Ballet was already going strong, its repertoire embracing some of the most well-loved ballets of our time. “Giselle,” “The Sleeping Beauty,” and “Swan Lake” were crowd pleasers. In fact, a captivating performance of "Swan Lake” was taking place this very day at Covent Garden - an incredibly grand theatre in the heart of London - oh, how I dream of experiencing that myself!
This is when I started noticing some really wonderful little details - like a certain trend towards bold, graphic patterns in fashion, like stripes and checks - that helped accentuate those beautiful wartime silhouettes, adding a little something extra. I love me a bit of wartime chic. So naturally, you might find me sporting a rather daring scarlet and black checked dress while attending the performance with my little clutch, perhaps sporting a pearl brooch for a little bit of added sparkle. My pink tutu will, of course, always be my go-to look but sometimes even the queen of pink has to experiment with a little red!
Oh, and did you know? 1943 saw the launch of “The Sleeping Beauty” film. Can you imagine, getting swept away by the magic of that movie at the local cinema? It truly is an enchantment!
Ballet tutus, during these times, embraced simple yet elegant styles. Picture graceful lines in white tulle with exquisite, refined embellishments. Wartime elegance was all about a chic and minimalist look - just imagine those tutus with strategically placed ribbons or perhaps a little velvet applique to accentuate their elegance, oh, what dreams are made of! They may have been simpler designs compared to some of the lavish creations of earlier periods but those wartime ballerinas certainly possessed an enchanting allure.
But this blog isn't only about Ballet, is it? It's also about the wonderful fashion that embraces the spirit of dance! This 7th of September 1943, I envision a street teeming with war-time ladies with stylish hair and glamorous hats, all en route to their theatrical outings. I can imagine a wave of scarlet lipsticks and well-shaped nails adorning those elegant hands - perfect for holding tickets and clinking glasses. Just imagine me gliding through the streets of London, wearing a stylish beret with a pink feather and my little pink tutu as the backdrop. Absolutely perfect!
Fashion for the modern ballet lover still embraced the feminine grace. Ladies wore tailored coats over those beautiful gowns with those fabulous little gloves peeking through. You could find dresses that showcased the waist and that graceful sweep of femininity with a flowing skirt that had a touch of the dance itself in it.
Now, a time travelling ballerina like myself simply has to embrace fashion and beauty!
There is a slight whispering from the future, telling me to remind you about the importance of staying positive and keeping hope alive during even the hardest of times - because fashion can indeed be a powerful tool. This little slice of sartorial history shows me that, just like the resilient women of those times, we can always find that spark of joy and glamour even when life gets a little, well, bumpy.
So my little tutu fans, keep spreading the joy of dance and fashion through every step. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts below and keep checking in with me every #TutuTuesday. Until next time!
P.S. Remember, every tutu journey, even if it's just a little trip back in time, starts with that one simple step! Oh, and wear pink - it really is the happiest colour in the world!
