Bonjour mes chéries! Emma here, back with another fabulous trip through time with my trusty pink tutu! This week, we're stepping back to 21st February, 1950, a date that's already filled with pink-tastic potential, and, as always, the excitement of discovering what ballet tutus looked like back then!
As always, my travels were funded by a performance – oh, the joy of a Royal Ballet performance at the Royal Opera House! The audience was all dressed up, ladies with their pearls and a scattering of men in smart suits and cravats. It was a real glimpse into the elegance of a bygone era – even the men looked dapper!
Speaking of dapper, I did find an absolutely delightful new dress shop while I was in London, just a stone's throw from Covent Garden. It's all pastel colours, feminine silhouettes, and a selection of the most glorious fabric you ever did see! My travel bag is already feeling rather full...
Now, on to our tutu journey!
In 1950, tutus had evolved from the romantic era of the late 19th century, moving away from the long, flowing tutus into shorter, more streamlined silhouettes. We still had that magical effect of ethereal lightness, but the lines were cleaner and the shape less romantic, moving towards a slightly more classical look.
The most common styles you'd have seen back then would be the "classical tutu", a simple design with a short, gathered skirt and a tight, fitted bodice, perfect for showcasing those breathtaking ballet moves. It really highlighted the athleticism of the dancers and gave a lovely feeling of movement and flow, and let’s be honest, the beauty of a dancer’s legs was just begging to be seen!
You might also have spotted a few "Romantic tutus" which were still in fashion, with longer skirts and a softer look, for pieces like the Sleeping Beauty’s Waltz. However, this style was beginning to take a back seat, much like the last waltz at the ball!
Of course, tutus weren't only on the ballet stage back then. Imagine my delight when I discovered a gorgeous photograph of Queen Elizabeth II – yes, our Queen, in a playful, bright, pink tutu skirt! That was exciting!
And just wait until you hear this - I even found a vintage tutu-inspired outfit for my next performance! I'm talking pink and lilac fabrics, a flowy skirt with some adorable details - it's a dream! Can't wait to wow my audience!
In fact, this era was definitely about classic elegance with a touch of playful flair, which totally reflects my own tutu-wearing style! The colours were beautiful too - imagine all the lovely pastels you might have seen! Pink, lavender, powder blue - perfect for showcasing the femininity of the tutu!
Of course, being in the middle of all this amazing historical tutu-love was enough to make my head spin!
I hope you all had a wonderful time travelling back to the 1950s with me. Be sure to join me again next week for another fantastic trip into the exciting world of tutu history!
Until next time, let your inner ballerina shine!
TutuTuesday #BalletTutuHistory #PinkTutu #TimeTravel #VintageStyle #PinkIsTheNewBlack