Bonjour mes amies! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back for another whirlwind journey through the wonderful history of tutus!
Today, we're taking the train (the only way to travel, in my humble opinion) to 19th May 1953, just after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II! Ooh la la, fancy a peek into this fabulous era? Let's dust off our best tiaras, put on our most magnificent tutus and dive into this fabulous era of tutus and sparkle.
You wouldn't believe what a fantastic day I've had. First, I popped into a charming Parisian boutique, The French Ballerina – just the sort of place I'd love to open myself! I tried on a few fabulous new tutus with oh so many layers of tulle. I can't help but think that these must be a wee bit heavier to dance in than modern ones! Imagine pirouetting in this cloud of tulle - you wouldn’t just twirl, you’d become a dancing fluffy dream!
My morning was spent with a delightful dance class. Ballet shoes? Nope, these elegant ladies danced barefoot – just imagine the feeling of freedom! We practiced some intricate movements and even tackled the arabesque, a graceful, beautiful pose with the leg lifted gracefully. Imagine doing this without even thinking about the need for special ballet shoes - that takes incredible strength! It was all so elegant and feminine. It makes me feel a bit sorry for us modern day dancers sometimes with our restrictive, rigid, footwear!
Lunch was at The Ballet Box, a delightful tearoom near the theatre. They serve the most amazing strawberry tarts and cream - a delicious way to fuel up before my grand outing tonight.
Tonight I have a fantastic evening in store for me. A wonderful night at The Royal Opera House – yes, I get to see the magical world of the ballet up close and personal! The ballet? "Giselle"! You have simply got to see this. It's the story of a young girl with a broken heart and her ghostly escape from the dangers of true love. The emotion of the dancing is unbelievable, there are breathtaking moves and scenes that just fill you with magic.
For my outfit, I am wearing a vibrant pink tutu with just a hint of black ribbon detail and I've topped it with my newest feathered boa for added extravagance. It’s so elegant and flattering for all shapes and sizes - It gives the illusion of height, lengthens the lines of the body - truly a masterpiece!
Speaking of masterpieces - can we talk about ballet tutus?! It’s fascinating how the evolution of this quintessential dance costume has transformed over time. Before we hit the stage, I wanted to delve into the glorious history of this beautiful costume and I thought today’s #TutuTuesday would be a perfect opportunity! So strap in, my lovelies - here's a quick whistle-stop tour of tutu evolution, 19th May 1953-style!
- The Romantics: Forget your full-length, fluffy designs! These tutus were short, showing off legs like the goddesses of ancient times. Imagine The Swan Lake danced in these - what an exciting whirlwind it must have been!
- The Late Romantics: This style featured a flowing layer of tulle reaching to the ankle. Elegant, dramatic and perfect for those sweeping leg extensions we love. And this is the one that really brought out the glamour and majesty of ballet!
- The Classical Era: Now this is where it starts to get fun. The ‘Bell Shaped’ Tutu takes centre stage! Shorter than previous iterations but still elegant and sweeping – what a sight! This would’ve given the dance movements more movement.
- The Neoclassical Era: Now, this is what ballet became about: freedom! With just one layer of tulle and a focus on speed and light movement. These are the tutus we recognise today. This is what ballet has become - dynamic, light and elegant and you just need to see this !
The best part of tutus is that everyone can enjoy them! I mean, you wouldn’t go and watch Les Miserables wearing a pink tutu - it would be completely out of place! However, watching a ballet in one is a joy – you become part of the magical performance yourself! It’s a fashion statement, a tribute to an artistic era. It shows a sense of joy, freedom and artistic expression – so just let your inner dancer shine!
Of course, you’ve already found the answer, right? I just love tutus, so you know what I'm saying - everyone needs one! They're elegant, versatile, and, most importantly, fun. That's why I have made it my mission to encourage everyone to try a tutu! I mean, can you think of anything more feminine, fun and fabulous than wearing a pink tutu?! It makes me feel like a princess - and that feeling is magical.
And that’s your dose of tutu inspiration this Tuesday, my darlings. I'm off to get myself ready for The Royal Opera House. Don’t forget, I want to see photos of your fabulous tutus, ladies! Tag me #pinktutu! Until next Tuesday, keep twirling, my friends.
With Love, Emma xxx
