#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1953-06-02

Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers! It's Emma, your favourite pink-clad, tutu-loving time traveller, back with another installment of Ballet Tutu History.

This week, we're jetting back to June 2nd, 1953. Can you imagine, the year of the Queen's coronation! What a whirlwind of romance, glamour and, of course, beautiful tutus. Now, picture this: I'm all gussied up in my fabulous pink tulle tutu, twirling on a London street, just catching a glimpse of the celebrations happening. I’ve even got my darling Queen Elizabeth II's coronation souvenir in my bag - a truly fabulous memento!

Right, back to the topic at hand! What's so interesting about this specific date you ask? Well, let's rewind to a world just bursting with fashion inspiration, shall we? This is the age where ballerina tutus became symbols of beauty, grace and artistry. They’ve never stopped twirling hearts and bringing pure joy to people across the globe ever since.

But just how did the ballet tutu evolve into such a glamorous piece of apparel? Let’s have a look:

Back in the early days, tutus were very different. The earliest forms were actually quite practical - imagine a ballerina twirling in her comfy (and sometimes even full length) skirts, free to perform, rather than being constrained by flowing, elaborate gowns. It was more about mobility and functionality, my dears. Imagine how awkward a big, poofy gown would have looked in the grand ballet of those times! * shudder*

But, something fascinating happened around the 1800s: Romantic Ballet started to become all the rage, bringing with it this wonderful emphasis on expression and graceful, captivating movement. You can almost imagine the artists wanting the ballerinas to feel freer and move in a more delicate way. It's around this period, in the 1830s, that we see the birth of the Romantic Tutu. And oh, it's an absolute beauty. The ballerina's body started to be exposed a little more - those flowing skirts moved upwards, transforming into these enchanting tutus. What a brilliant move that was, my lovelies! The rise of the tutus was truly a moment in history that gave way to what we see on stage today. It was also a moment of real progress - just imagine how much more confident a ballerina would feel in such a freeing garment.

By the 1950s, however, things were much more elegant and streamlined. This is the era of the tutu we all know and adore today: short, fluffy, and beautifully styled!

Let’s get a little more technical: The "Bell" & "Romantic" Styles

There were, however, a couple of distinct tutu styles doing the rounds, especially around this time.

The first, the bell tutu with its short, knee-length form, was all the rage and gave such a feeling of flight and femininity - no wonder, it has become so iconic. Imagine those perfectly-formed legs on stage - breathtaking! Sigh. It has got a lovely romantic feel. This particular style also has a fun fringe-style, which I just love! Think of the stunning visual impact on stage! I bet you can imagine those wonderful shimmering sequins and soft fabrics flowing in the air, almost like little fairy dust.

Then we had the Romantic tutu style. A bit more dramatic than its short counterpart, this longer tutu style still reached down to the ballerina’s ankles, creating a most breathtaking effect when seen from afar. They’re still wildly popular for those enchanting, magical, almost dream-like ballets. I am, of course, obsessed. The best part about it all - those longer skirts can also transform, completely change the way the dancer looks as they flow across the stage! I just can't get over those ethereal swishes!

Speaking of twirling! Let’s move to 1953, a special year filled with all sorts of memorable ballets and wonderful theatrical pieces.

Think Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky - oh my! Can you imagine the enchanting tutu designs, all the dreamy details and the magical costumes! It’s simply mesmerising! In 1953, London's Royal Ballet presented it for the very first time - an absolute triumph, don't you think? The gorgeous ballet had all the ingredients to inspire the biggest love for ballet! Just the thing for a queen's coronation year!

On that note, this was also a year for other exciting and memorable performances. There was Giselle, * a timeless ballet that never fails to capture my heart. And *Swan Lake,** well, it goes without saying! What more can I say? These stunningly dramatic and heartfelt pieces were the must-see performances in 1953. What a wonderful time for tutus!

As someone obsessed with everything tutu, and you know I am, it wasn't just the ballet world that was overflowing with fabulous, glamorous outfits in 1953.

The fashion world was also filled with such exciting and breathtaking designs! The ‘50s were, of course, all about cinched waists, gorgeous feminine silhouettes, and those beautiful, flowing fabrics. It was an amazing time to be alive for all things fabulous, especially when it comes to tutu inspired creations.

You could imagine a designer's vision: flowing skirts for a special occasion or elegant, soft, shimmering gowns with subtle hints of tutu flair here and there. Remember those stunning skirts? A great way to have a tutu twist without looking like you just jumped straight out of a performance, eh? Imagine a tea party with all your besties in those pretty flowing tutus! What a lovely picture, don't you think? What a glorious fashion time to be in - a truly memorable era.

So you might think all of this just focuses on stage, but I have a secret: I just love going to dance halls! These elegant halls were all the rage! Can you just imagine? It felt truly exciting with music pumping and so many fabulously dressed folks! And guess what? I found myself wearing my sparkly pink tutus to dance nights. What a delightful scene - all my besties in pink, gliding and waltzing on the dance floor, with that sweet music in the air. Fabulous. You couldn't ask for a more magical way to spend an evening.

In addition to ballet’s allure, high fashion also began to influence tutus, shifting them from stage to street. How do we incorporate that extravagant tutu flair into our own styles? Think bold statement pieces! Maybe an embellished skirt with a bit of sparkle for an evening out or a flowing, sheer, pink number - and maybe, just maybe, a pink tutu. Let's just face it: they're just so captivating. We want the elegance, the fun and, of course, the romance, just like we see on the ballet stage!

That's all for this Ballet Tutu History post! We have touched on an important period that not only brought ballet into a whole new light, but influenced how the whole world embraced this magical fashion element. And let’s be honest, there was no way I would skip 1953 – with its fantastic mix of ballet, fashion and everything delightful in between! It truly embodies everything I love about tutus. I think it's time I go to a ball - and let those tutu-inspirations guide my outfit!

Do you agree? Let me know in the comments! Don't forget to tag your fabulous Tutu photos with #TutuTuesday so I can see what amazing outfits you have all been creating this week!

And if you have any stories of your own ballet experiences - from watching breathtaking performances to taking that first daring step onto a dance floor in a sparkly, dazzling tutu - tell us in the comments below.

Love always, Emma 💖 www.pink-tutu.com