Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where tutus reign supreme! It’s your favourite tutu-loving Emma here, and today, we’re taking a little trip back in time!
Remember how I mentioned that time travel is all about the show, darlings? Well, my last ballet trip was a real corker. I travelled back to November 1953 and landed smack bang in the heart of London, where the ballet scene was absolutely buzzing. Let me tell you, there wasn't a tutu in sight that didn't have me wanting to add it to my collection!
Before we dive into the amazing tutus I found myself frolicking amongst, let's rewind to November 24th, 1953. What happened on this oh-so-important day? Well, darling, nothing less than the coronation of Dame Margot Fonteyn as prima ballerina assoluta! Yes, this legendary ballerina, whose name still fills me with awe, was bestowed the highest honour of the dance world. Now, you can see why London was bursting with excitement and why I was keen to be there.
Now, back to the tutus, my dear. If I could, I'd go back and have a rummage through the shops – but you know me, I never break the rules of time travel! But trust me when I say, I did some research and I have to share with you what I learned.
This time, in the world of ballet, there was a particular fashion obsession – tutus! But, they were oh-so-different than what you'd see in a contemporary performance. Remember, dear, I said it’s about exploring and finding new ways to embrace the world of tutus!
Tutuland 1953: Where the Classics Met Romance
We all adore those frothy romantic ballerinas, and the 1950s embraced it to the fullest. Now, don’t get me wrong, it's not just frilly ruffles and big poofy skirts we're talking about – although there was certainly an abundance of that. But the silhouette of a 1950s ballet tutu is pure vintage elegance, darling.
Picture a bell-shaped skirt with a slightly shorter length, finished with a graceful train that swirled behind them. A tiny bit shorter, just to show off those lovely calf muscles, but elegant nonetheless!
Then we had the bodice – oh my, darling! The bodices were often designed with long sleeves or even bodices which looked like an adorable tiny waistcoat or vest. And remember that ballerina neckline? They loved that! Those adorable high-cut sweetheart bodices, showcasing delicate shoulders and emphasizing the elegant curves of the ballerinas. Just perfect for that en pointe grace, my love. And don’t forget, those romantic designs? Yes, think frills and ruffled trims. Lots of frills. There was also plenty of silk, satin and tulle to be found. They really went for it. So glamorous. This period was really embracing this idea of feminine elegance – almost like a real fairytale.
What would you be wearing? And Where did you see them?
As I was observing the shows – the perfect spot to people watch, naturally - I noticed those graceful tutus weren't just limited to the stage. They even had tutus designed for street wear. I really have to get my hands on some of those! You could find elegant street fashion with tutus - not full-on, I admit, but some of those cute details I mentioned – they’d show up everywhere! Even if the average shopper wouldn't wear the whole outfit – they would buy items that featured these tutu-inspired designs. You’ve never seen the world in pink before you saw it through my pink tutu lens.
From Royal Ballet to Royal Albert Hall
Speaking of shows, you'd be hard-pressed to miss a ballet in London at the time! The Royal Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall hosted incredible shows featuring top-notch talent, and the public simply couldn’t get enough! These ballerinas, with their beautiful tutus, were the stars!
Now, don’t you just feel like hopping back in time and joining the excitement, darlings? Just think, imagine yourself taking a stroll through the Covent Garden market and bumping into a ballet dancer. You know you’d love it. It was all about enjoying those ballets! From "Swan Lake" to "Giselle," everyone was enthralled by the sheer magic of dance! I wouldn't have missed it for the world, even if I couldn’t get my hands on one of those tutus – and maybe, just maybe I can find some way to incorporate it into my personal tutu collection… Hmm!
Well, I've had such a lovely time re-living this trip. Until next time, my dears!
And don’t forget: Keep your eyes out for those tutus! You never know when you'll find yourself embracing this classic fashion statement.
Love,
Emma
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