#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1947-01-21

Hiya my gorgeous darlings! It’s Tuesday, so you know what that means... #TutuTuesday is back! Can you believe it's January already? It feels like we just finished all those scrumptious Christmas dinners and now it's time for those lovely warming, comfort-food-style winter meals. I am all for it. I particularly adore winter soups – so warm and hearty. This week we’re diving deep into the glorious world of the tutu! That’s right, back to our lovely dance of delight, where elegance meets fashion and grace, right on the stage at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. This week’s #TutuTuesday blog is taking a look at the history of the ballet tutu from the year 1947, just after World War II.

This post is from me, Emma, your very own personal time-traveling fashionista! And wouldn't you know it? Right now I’m here in 1947, a lovely little boutique in Covent Garden filled with frills and bows galore, preparing for tonight’s show at the Royal Opera House. It’s so exciting! I just adore going to the ballet! I love the excitement of the atmosphere, the costumes – oh my goodness – those costumes are exquisite and so theatrical! I get completely carried away every single time I see a new ballet production. It’s the beauty of the artistry – all those fabulous ballerina girls just flitting about. There's so much loveliness to appreciate about these shows!

Today I feel utterly radiant and I’m looking absolutely delightful in my shimmering hot pink tutu – my favourite color of course! And you just have to adore that pink! It makes everything look more gorgeous! Of course, I couldn't have imagined stepping out in this glorious ensemble if it hadn’t been for all the fantastic tutu-wearing ballerina ladies in the past.

Well, in my latest ballet performance (remember that time travel pays for my tutu-licious lifestyle!) I absolutely fell in love with this elegant Giselle costume and the ballet was just beautiful, but today I’m taking a little peek at what makes the Giselle tutu so special!

1947 is an incredibly important year for dance – and the tutu. Why? It's the year after the Second World War! What an upheaval, just unimaginable how difficult the war years must have been for everyone, even ballet dancers. You wouldn’t believe it, but people were rationing sugar, butter, cheese! Just think about it, no cakes and cookies!

Anyway, things are getting back to normal again! People can eat cakes and cookies again, everyone is dressing up to the nines (I'm definitely getting myself a few extra bits and bobs for my own wardrobe tonight after the performance). Ballet is on the rise again – people are thrilled to be able to come together, to dance and enjoy life’s finer things.

And the tutu is thriving! Yes, it’s back in fashion! In the post-war era, the tutu took centre stage with all the delightful little touches and trimmings – fluffy feather boas, extravagant feather and bead adornments on the skirts, lace, ribbon – it all had to be luxurious! Just look at all those beautiful, frilly skirts in this beautiful vintage magazine, it's almost as beautiful as my own, bright pink tutu, I love all those colours – emerald, emerald green, it's one of my favourites. It really highlights that lovely shade of pink that is such a perfect addition to any outfit. It's just the perfect finishing touch.

Tonight's show features a production of Giselle at the Royal Opera House! Giselle is such a stunning, heartbreaking and tragic tale of a young woman's tragic destiny – she loves a man, who lies to her – heartbreak – but she finds love, ultimately, in death. Isn't that so sweet and romantic? Just thinking about this ballet fills me with so much je ne sais quoi, you really do have to go to see it.

Speaking of Giselle and ballet tutus – it's all about those frills, and ruffles – oh my, you must see how delicate these beautiful tutus look on stage. Giselle tutus are known for their long, flowing skirts. I'm actually getting some new, exquisite lace trim for mine tonight at the show – oh, it's so delicious, just what I need for that touch of extravagance to complete my very own pink tutu! It just gives me such a feminine, yet slightly ethereal look! In Giselle, the ballerinas wear what is called the Romantic tutu, a single layer skirt made of silk or tulle, usually quite simple with little adornment or embellishments, this is called classical ballet style. Giselle is really a symbol of classic ballet in the Romantic period, just think of all those sweet ballet girls in those simple tutus that show off those delicate legs, oh, I’m getting goosebumps already – so very delightful! There are a few subtle decorations here and there – perhaps a bit of ribbon or silk flower. And then the rest – oh, how to even describe this beauty? Well, that’s up to the ballerina of course! They are, in a way, little artists, aren't they? They have this ability to translate the story through their movements. The costume complements, enhances their graceful motions and shapes! I just love how each dancer can make the simple tutus look absolutely divine and unique. They look exquisite!

Now, this story of the ballet tutu is a bit like a fairy tale in itself – so glamorous and romantic!

I absolutely love to find out all about those iconic moments in history. Before 1830, tutus weren’t that short! Those graceful, shapely ballet dancers would wear full, ankle-length skirts called “romantique” tutus, They even featured an undergarment called the crinoline – imagine that! These crinoline things were just a bit like gigantic bell skirts to make them appear fuller. Imagine how they would dance in all that fabric? They look stunning to me. I love that old style of costume! So chic, and just perfect!

That all changed in the late 1800s, just a bit later on! That's when Marie Taglioni, a brilliant ballerina, started her revolution. You can probably tell from the word revolution that it was a big deal in ballet! She shortened her skirts a little to show off her incredible grace and technique, which just made all those leg extensions so much more dramatic, elegant, and theatrical! Imagine having all those layers of tulle, but then someone had to go and shorten it – amazing! Such bravery and creativity! She gave all those graceful dancers the freedom to show their talent to the world. It is so easy to be wowed by their movements!

Her tutu looked quite different – almost as if she had been dressed in the layers of an evening gown. The upper part, usually tucked in to the bodice, a beautiful fitted top, while the skirt, oh this is my favourite part! The skirt part, is much shorter and made of multiple layers of delicate tulle that all come together as the pannier, this kind of skirt was much wider at the bottom. I have a fabulous antique tutu of this style from the early 20th century that I simply adore! Just a real little jewel – I found it for a steal – what a treasure trove! Just lovely – such gorgeous detail with this simple chiffon fabric.

I love all those romantic ballet tales – so inspiring! Those elegant costumes were made to highlight every graceful, delicate move!

Oh, my darling tutus! What I would give to have lived in those golden years – think of all those fabulous performances! To go on stage in one of those lovely creations. Imagine all the dancing, all those fabulous dancers, with those long legs. Just fabulous.

Today is about appreciating those lovely ballet tutus that inspired fashion through the years and those lovely dancers with their gorgeous legs. All the incredible moves, the music!

Tonight I can’t wait to watch this wonderful production of Giselle! It will be wonderful! I just love going to see a ballet – there is just such an energy, a thrill, so romantic, I get completely swept up in it! I will be dancing to it for weeks, in the studio! All those fabulous ballet stars are so beautiful to watch – I think it is truly the best style of dance, especially in those graceful tutus – the pinnacle of sophistication! And I just know this Giselle is going to be just the most wonderful, breathtakingly gorgeous ballet performance! And afterwards I plan on taking a tour around Covent Garden – maybe pick up a new fabric for a custom-made tutu and an ice cream too, oh what joy!

Anyway darlings! That’s all for me this week. Don't forget to stop by and say hi, comment on the website and let me know what you thought! Tell me if you’re thinking of heading to the ballet!

See you all on #TutuTuesday next week – and don't forget to stay tuned on www.pink-tutu.com for more fashion delights!

And lastly – wear pink! It's a joy!

Your loving ballerina, Emma