Hello darlings! Itâs me, Emma, back again with another exciting journey through time in my signature pink tutu! Todayâs adventure is taking us all the way back to 11th July 1961. Can you believe it?! Itâs such a thrill to be dancing back through history. And oh my, let me tell you, this particular date is brimming with fashion and cultural events!
Before I delve into the delights of the day, Iâve just got to confess â my most recent time travel experience was, dare I say it, a touch chaotic! Imagine, I was attempting to make a grand entrance to the world of early Victorian London in my glorious pink tutu â only to be met with utter confusion! It seemed my sartorial choice was a tad, well, forward-thinking for that era. Honestly, they hadn't even grasped the concept of the tutu then! Such a shame! Thankfully, after a slightly disorienting adventure through the fog-laden cobbled streets and a brief encounter with a rather perplexed policeman, I was able to find my way to safety! Itâs amazing how these past adventures really make me appreciate the wonders of our present day.
Anyways, back to the business at hand! It's #TutuTuesday and today we are venturing into the early 1960s! Oh, what a glorious time it was â just look at all those incredible clothes! Such bold, expressive colours, dramatic shapes and a whole lotta fabric! The sixties saw an incredible burst of colour and experimentation in clothing design. This fabulous explosion of fashion truly mirrors the spirit of the ballet. We saw a complete transformation in tutu styles, both in ballet and fashion. It was an age of exciting experimentation â all of the elegance and drama of classical ballet married to bold new silhouettes, daring colour and revolutionary cuts. It's so fun to trace the journey of this evolving form of dress from the historical romantic era to the new, bold and daring era of the sixties.
So let's peek back at this iconic date - the 11th July 1961! What fabulous things were happening?
First off, my dearest friends, thereâs some excellent ballet going on around the globe, even if this wasnât always the focus of attention! Today, in London, the Sadler's Wells Ballet were giving a delightful performance of "The Nutcracker," a true classic that was all the rage in the sixties. Now, I donât know about you, but I find there is truly something magical about a Christmas classic during the middle of the summer! Imagine those stunning costumes and that exquisite set - truly a ballet spectacle to behold! Of course, a good olâ fashioned trip to the Royal Opera House is always a treat! Todayâs ballet enthusiast could be indulging in "Cinderella," "Giselle," or even the truly epic "Swan Lake"!
But itâs not all about the classical ballet, darlings! Today is also the day that âThe Great American Songbook,â was hitting Broadway for the first time. A spectacular musical celebrating all the greats - Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein! What a treat for the music lover.
And I canât talk about the sixties without giving a nod to the glamorous world of fashion! Oh, darling! Those colours, that fabric, and those fantastic shapes! Imagine a swirling midi-skirt with a fitted bodice or perhaps a delightful mini-dress paired with daring boots or perhaps the iconic âShift Dressâ. Such beauty and such a bold departure from the elegance of the fifties!
Speaking of bold, one of my favorite trends from this time was the daring little black dress â so chic, so elegant, so simple and it would make the perfect contrast with my beautiful pink tutu! Now don't think for a moment that those glorious women of the 1960s wouldn't have incorporated this classic black dress into their outfits. And the fun didnât stop there!
The ladies were absolutely slaying in their mini dresses and A-Line silhouettes. And did I mention hats?! Just try to imagine a beautiful, stylish hat paired with a flowing midi-skirt. Sigh A girl could die from pure fashion envy!
As a self-proclaimed fashion enthusiast, I'm particularly captivated by the dramatic, voluminous silhouettes and bold designs of the late sixties! But honestly, the early 1960s was a pivotal period, a kind of a sartorial âgolden ageâ. Everything about it feels so perfectly glamorous - from the chic cocktails parties to the elegant soirĂ©es to the beautiful theatre productions that were drawing huge crowds to London and New York, both in America and England!
The sixties really were a special period. They saw womenâs liberation moving at breakneck speed, both in fashion and society. Women were demanding equal opportunities and rights - a wonderful spirit, echoed in a dazzling new, confident, elegant, free-spirited way of dressing.
Remember, darlings, life is a dance, and we should always make it a fabulous one! Let's all channel our inner Audrey Hepburn and wear our tutu proudly - even if it does spark a few curious glances! Now don't be afraid to add a little flair to your day - grab a tutu, spin with joy, and remember - every day can be #TutuTuesday.
Love and twirls, Emma. xx
