Hello my darling Tutu Twirlers! 💖
It's your favourite tutu-loving Emma here, back with another fascinating instalment of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History!
This week, we're taking a little train journey back in time, all the way to 25th January, 1955! Oh my, can you imagine?! I'm sure my fabulous pink tutu would be causing quite a stir back then.
Now, before we go back to 1955, I need to ask… who amongst us has been lucky enough to attend a live ballet performance this week? 💫 If you're like me, you can't get enough! The magic of the theatre, the beauty of the dance… and, of course, the stunning costumes!
Speaking of stunning costumes, you know how I've been gushing about the Paris shows, darling! Oh, the feathers, the sequins, the sheer extravagance! You simply can't find that kind of fabulous in London just yet. I know it's a little naughty of me to say, but I'm dreaming of that Parisian style here in Derbyshire.
But alas, darling, we are not in Paris today. Today, we’re all about that enchanting step back in time to 1955!
I wonder, how do you think tutus looked back then? Hmm… were they as elaborate as they are now? Were they all fluffy and romantic, or a little more… reserved (I shudder to think!).
To find out, we’ve got to travel back in time, lovelies! Are you ready to hop on my little imaginary train and get lost in the beautiful world of 1955 ballet tutus? Let’s go! 🚂
Ballet Tutus of the 1950sIn 1955, darling, the ballet world was buzzing with exciting new styles. Think ballerina gowns, with full skirts and delicate netting… Just imagine a little whisper of a skirt, a delicate dance in white! I can almost see them swishing around the stage!
But hold your horses, lovelies, there was a certain modern movement happening back then, and the styles reflected that. Can you believe, they even started experimenting with "pancake" tutus? Imagine! A flat, circular skirt - all the fun of a tutu, without the poof! I must confess, I don’t quite see myself wearing a pancake tutu. I do think those 50’s girls were rather adventurous!
Now, I wouldn't be surprised if the more traditional tutus, those lovely full skirts, were the most popular back in 1955. The classic shape has always had that elegance and magic. Remember Giselle, with its flowing skirt, that’s definitely the kind of ballet magic that can take your breath away!
Remember my lovelies, ballet tutus weren't always about the fluff! They used to be even more practical, think pas de deux or that graceful solo work… the shape had to work with the dancers' movements.
This week in 1955, we might have been lucky enough to see some of the new contemporary dancers experimenting with a brand new style: Ballet Street! Yes darling! This involved wearing more casual clothes. You’ll just have to imagine! A more everyday look, perhaps ballet slippers instead of pointe shoes? Think dance studios, cobbled streets, real life… I simply can't get over this radical departure from the classic styles! I have to find out more, darling! I bet there's a wonderful story to tell here.
Ballet and fashion: a beautiful love affairLet's chat about ballet fashion, darling. It's the perfect blend of grace and glamour, and 1955 was definitely a time of change and elegance in fashion, especially for women! It’s no wonder ballet mirrored these trends!
You know how I love a good dress! Just think of the elegance of the 1950’s era. They knew how to cut a beautiful dress back then, the cinched waist, full skirts! They really knew how to make a woman look and feel wonderful, just like my own tutu makes me feel.
Perhaps the most stunning ballet costumes I have ever seen are from the 50s, I’ve even travelled back to see the designs in the grand old libraries and museums in France, and oh darling… the beautiful fabrics and the colours! My heart does truly beat for a beautiful costume. They used to use these rich satins, the softest tulle… so much thought and detail. And let’s not forget the embroidery and sequins. Honestly, there was such love poured into those garments!
There’s such a link between ballet fashion and everyday clothing… You can actually see these graceful lines and that beautiful feminine flair coming through in the fashion of the era, darling! Imagine these grand dresses and ballet costumes both capturing the spirit of the time!
And don't even get me started on the shoes! You simply can’t talk about the history of tutus without a little word on the footwear. Remember my dears, there are ballet shoes and then there are pointe shoes, which require incredible strength and precision, it takes years of training and a strong spirit. Oh my darling, can you just picture it, the graceful lift, the pointe shoe slipping through the air! What elegance! I really am starting to wish we had pointe shoes in the early days of ballet here in Derbyshire! They definitely add to the romance!
Speaking of shoes, I wonder, how many of you beautiful souls actually own a pair of ballet flats, those oh-so chic and oh-so comfortable shoes. I believe a little ballet slipper magic goes a long way, it makes everything look so elegant. And you never know, that style was already popular even back in 1955!
I’m sure some of you fashionable dears are reading this on your way to a fancy ballet event or perhaps an opera, darling! Remember those amazing vintage costumes I told you about earlier? And those incredible opera gloves, you can find them still in antique stores! You can actually mix and match a vintage ballet look into a truly glamorous modern style. Oh, the possibilities!
Now, it's getting late and I must be on my way, darling. This little train trip down memory lane is really making me long for the beauty of a performance!
So, until next #TutuTuesday, don't forget to spread that ballet magic! Tell all your friends, your sisters, your grannies - it's time to embrace the tutu spirit! ✨
See you soon,
Emma
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Don’t forget, you can find me every Tuesday here on pink-tutu.com! Join the #TutuTuesday conversation! Tell me what you think, tell me what you'd like to see more of! I’d love to know, what’s your favourite style of tutu, darling? Leave a comment below! 💖
[This blog post, Number 6422, is part of Emma's weekly Ballet Tutu History blog.]
This blog was originally posted at: www.pink-tutu.com
