Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we celebrate the history of the most wonderful garment in the world: the tutu. It's Tuesday, which means it's #TutuTuesday, and I'm absolutely buzzing to share another peek into the glorious history of our beloved tutu!
Today we're stepping back in time, specifically to 27th March 1956! I've been on a wild journey today, hopping aboard a rather splendid train to travel back to the 1950s. And what a wonderful time it's been! Just imagine, it's only ten years after the war, and everyone is still soaking in that spirit of post-war optimism! You can just feel the excitement for the future swirling in the air.
Speaking of excitement, let me tell you all about my wonderful day:
Firstly, I just had to do a spot of shopping at Harrods! I was lucky to catch their Fashion Show, which is a bit like a fashion runway, but bigger! It was simply dazzling. Now, the 1950s fashion was quite a sight – think cinched waists, full skirts, and lots and lots of pastel pink (just my style!) but surprisingly there were still some hints of the new "New Look" creeping into the trends. This is thanks to Christian Dior and his groundbreaking collection back in 1947. This collection caused quite the stir in the world of fashion, ushering in a more feminine silhouette, with flowing fabrics and full skirts. Honestly, who doesn't love a full skirt, right?
My darling! Don't even get me started on the ballgowns! So beautiful. I saw one that was sparkling! The lady wearing it looked like a fairy princess stepping straight out of a fairytale! Oh, it was so extravagant! I might need to hunt one of these down for my next performance – wouldn't you all agree? 😉
Anyway, while all this glamorous fashion was fantastic, I couldn't leave without having a peep at what the dance world was up to. And wouldn't you know it? The Royal Opera House was hosting a performance of The Sleeping Beauty! It's always such a treat to see this classic ballet. Even back then, the graceful lines, the romantic music, and those incredible tutus! I simply couldn't resist sneaking a peek!
You know what, there were a few changes since I first caught this ballet! One of them is the length of the tutus, and I am loving it. The tutus had a bit more fullness, giving them a lovely rounded shape. Imagine it - more layers of beautiful, billowing tulle! Swoon
And I mustn't forget to mention, those little fluffy leg warmers the ballerinas wore were absolutely adorable! I’m already making mental notes on where to snag some! My goodness, imagine, the girls actually did their ballet in flats with flat-soled shoes! How very comfortable for a dancer's feet. Don’t they look a bit stiff though, compared to pointe shoes?! But there you have it, a new development, even as old as it seems!
Back then, people really did treat ballet as a spectacle, you know. Just the other day, I popped into a theatre where they were showcasing a new show - The Nutcracker. I'd say it's fair to say, that this beautiful show really set the stage for future ballets, like the classic "The Sleeping Beauty," which has become a must-see in many ballet seasons. But for the 1950s, The Nutcracker was a show-stopper, complete with charming scenery and beautiful dancing. It’s wonderful to think of the beautiful memories the dancers were creating – you could practically feel it!
Oh, and can we talk about the dance costumes?! Even with those relatively simple dresses (still, nothing quite as wonderful as a pink tutu! ;) ), the movement was captivating, and oh those fluffy tutus, perfection. I think everyone should own at least one fluffy tutu. The colour and style, just makes you feel a bit like a ballerina even just for a day. I don't think I've seen one this century but I certainly think I have my own project lined up. 😉
This trip was certainly worth it! To be honest, you can always spot a good time travelling the world with my pink tutu. The Victorian Era, with the popularity of ballet in England, was wonderful. However, this visit into the 50s was extra special as it revealed just how much fashion and ballet intertwined to bring something utterly magical to the world. The tutu has definitely evolved, from the classical elegance to the modern experimental designs, it's a piece of history that truly reflects our world. I mean, a fluffy tulle dress is, of course, the most fabulous creation ever invented! 😊
But it is really, genuinely incredible to see how the tutu has become such an iconic part of not just ballet, but the whole world. You don’t even have to be a ballerina to appreciate the magic it brings! So don’t be afraid to let your inner ballerina shine, and grab a fluffy pink tutu of your own – you won't regret it! 😉 Until next time, happy twirling everyone!
Stay stylish! Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
This blog is for the benefit of www.pink-tutu.com blog, it is blog post #6483 Please note this blog uses the date and information on events in 1956 which were likely influenced by current news reports for this period and historical documentation on dance, the opera and fashion. Please credit the original sources for any fact checking that may be required as all content is written and fact checked for a light-hearted blog, fictional time-travelling, ballerina history blog post and does not represent academic research.
