#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1961-08-15

Hello my darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday! Today, we're jetting back to the oh-so-stylish 15th August 1961! It's quite a hot summer's day here in Paris, so we’re hitting the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter for a little sartorial sightseeing.

My trusty pink tutu is perfectly practical for a sweltering summer day. You see, back then they didn't have those amazing air-conditioned carriages like we have in my time, so wearing tulle was a must! Thankfully, it allows my skin to breathe and the slight breeze that whips around me helps to keep me cool! But back to the time travel!

This August day marks an important point in history: The start of a very stylish and elegant trend - The French New Wave Cinema. It's a period bursting with bold filmmaking and fabulous fashions. And while everyone talks about Brigitte Bardot's beehive, have you ever noticed just how often they wear stunningly beautiful tulle in all shapes and forms in those classic films? Well darling, I think it's about time we explore the rise of the "Parisienne Chic" tutu!

Back in the day, tutus were pretty much reserved for ballet performances, but oh my goodness, what was happening in fashion was nothing short of fabulous! Think delicate tulle in gorgeous pastel shades with the chicest Parisian ladies pairing them with full-skirted dresses or adding just a hint of fluffy drama around their ankles. Tulle started to feature as decorative touches on accessories like hair bows or pockets, with all the elegance of a ballerina! And as it was becoming ever so popular for the cinema stars, it was practically a must-have for any trendy, chic girl, and believe you me, this darling, is my cup of tea!

It’s like the whole of Paris was swept up in a graceful waltz of tulle! And, darling, this fashion frenzy was not limited to just the sophisticated ladies. I saw one very glamorous chap sporting a very dapper velvet dinner jacket with a hint of chiffon layered under, you can’t get more sophisticated than that darling! Just another way of showing off just how chic you are.

I remember just being spellbound by all this stunning beauty! Imagine waltzing down the Seine in a pretty dress with the wind ruffling the tulle around your ankles and your hair flowing behind you. Just divine! And the thing is, the Parisian women weren’t just walking with elegant style – they lived and breathed it, my darling! Their charm and grace weren’t about showing off; it was about radiating natural elegance! That's what this "Parisienne Chic" was all about - elegance in everyday life.

This style wasn't just a fleeting trend; it had a lasting impact on the way the world saw beauty. It brought the dream of ballerinas down from the stage and onto the streets, and I’m not about to say that I haven’t embraced that myself!

To capture the spirit of the "Parisienne Chic", I just had to explore! I found the most charming vintage store brimming with stylish delights in a tiny Parisian backstreet. I waltzed around with delight, mesmerized by the fashion gems around me! My absolute find was a divine white cotton blouse with the most gorgeous detail of delicate ruched lace that would pair so beautifully with a pale pink tutu and some matching ballet pumps! And what about the amazing vintage shoes I just had to have? They were these pearl grey lace-up sandals with elegant little bows. Pure chicness darling!

Then, I simply had to indulge in some shopping, and the famous Galeries Lafayette in Paris is definitely a shopper’s heaven. A haven for any stylish ballerina! So, after grabbing a beautiful cream-coloured teacup in a beautiful Parisian cafe, I strolled down those amazing grand boulevards to find just the perfect piece of French fashion history! It wasn't hard. I was thrilled to find an exquisite vintage fashion magazine from this exact date: L’Officiel de la Mode – a veritable treasure trove of tout chic! The glossy magazine was a vision in shades of pastels and delicate textures, featuring exquisite photos of glamorous Parisian women draped in flowing tulle as light as a whisper. This vintage treasure is now a treasured piece of my personal fashion history collection – something for my next time-traveling trip! It’s amazing to see the legacy of this graceful time that influenced everything, from fashion trends to modern ballet dance moves!

And my darlings, here's a little secret: This elegance is something that's still present in the modern world. It’s that hint of tulle that whispers a story of a Parisian chic ballerina, and it’s why the Parisian way of dressing still holds its power to capture hearts today.

Oh, I can just imagine some beautiful dancers at a modern-day ballet school getting ready for a big show, a backstage glimpse of graceful moves and glittering tulle costumes. Now that’s just something else! They would have all the grace and poise of Parisian ladies, a lovely legacy from this era.

So, let’s capture some of that French chic!

• A delicate lace top, a pink tulle tutu, some sweet grey lace-up shoes - who says ballet looks aren't for the streets? We can take some inspiration from 1961, bring a little elegance into our everyday lives and be a little bit more like a beautiful Parisienne ballerina, my darlings. *Imagine it: *A pink tutu on a sunny day!

See you next #TutuTuesday darling! And please keep sharing your love for ballet and those dreamy pink tutus with me on www.pink-tutu.com. Until next time, twirl and twirl happily!