Ahoy there, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing historian of all things tulle. This week, I've time-travelled back to a day that changed the world... and by 'world' I mean the fashion world! I'm talking 28th August, 1962, my dears. Buckle your pointe shoes and hold on tight, this trip is going to be fabulous!
Now, back in 1962, tutus were, shall we say, taking a bit of a breather from their dazzling centre stage. While ballet itself was going strong, the fashion world was undergoing its own thrilling revolution! Think Jackie Kennedy with her perfectly tailored suits and Twiggy with her gamine charm – these were the icons of the day. Tutus were more suited to the grand halls of the Royal Opera House than the streets of Swinging London.
But that's not to say tutus were completely forgotten! In fact, 1962 saw a gorgeous revival of the romantic tutu. These tutus, often made with soft, ethereal fabrics like chiffon, had longer skirts that swirled around the ballerina's legs like dreams. Think Juliet in Romeo and Juliet – her tutu perfectly encapsulates the delicate beauty and passion of the role.
While I may be in a time where the ballerina-on-the-street look is not the norm, the beauty of ballet and its breathtaking tutus are timeless! That's why, my darlings, I believe in sharing this glorious history with you all.
My day out in 1962
Today, I'm exploring the fashionable side of 1962 and what better way than to go see a breathtaking ballet performance! The Royal Opera House, London, is known for its beautiful stage, beautiful dancers, and oh my, those divine costumes!
Tonight, they are showcasing Giselle, a romantic ballet about love, loss, and dancing, darling! Now, don't let the sad subject matter fool you - this is pure enchantment! I can't wait to see how the ballet costumes are interpreted in this period. Maybe I'll even get inspired to try out a romantic style in my next DIY tutu project. (I might add a touch of pink, though! Just a tiny bit!)
While I'm here, I'm planning on popping by Liberty's department store! Imagine my excitement! Think of the fab fabrics and glamorous fashion! Maybe I can even snag a cute vintage dress to wear on my next time-travel adventure – that is, if my travel budget doesn't need a trip to the bank! After all, the performances pay for these time travel trips and one can never have too many gorgeous costumes to choose from.
From Ballet to Boutique
While we might be dancing on different sides of history, remember: there's a reason why the tutu remains iconic! It's more than just a piece of clothing; it's a symbol of elegance, creativity, and the power of human expression. So, whether it's in a grand ballet performance or a whimsical dance around your living room, let the magic of the tutu spark your imagination and embrace the beautiful chaos!
As for me, I'm going to spend the rest of the week dreaming about those romantic tutus and dreaming of my next time travel adventure! Oh, and maybe I'll pop on my own pink tutu for good measure - what do you say? Time to spread a bit of sparkle wherever we go!
See you next Tuesday, my lovelies! Don't forget to #pinktutu with your pictures and share your own stories about this incredible piece of fashion history.
Love,
Emma
P.S. Did you know there was a HUGE ice-cream trend in 1962?! Apparently, whipped ice-cream was all the rage! Think whipped cream served with scoops of vanilla ice-cream. You can just imagine the gorgeous, decadent and fun pictures they would have taken! Maybe we could start a #WhippedIceCreamWednesday trend too, what do you think?!
