Hey my darling darlings! 👋 Emma here, your very own Pink Tutu time traveller! I've just whizzed back from a right swanky trip to...drum roll please...1964! Oh my, the fashions! The vibes! This is my favourite kind of time travel. 🕰️ You just wouldn't believe the fab-u-lous dance world back then.
As you know, my Tuesday obsession is the beloved ballet tutu. But it wasn't always just a dance-y must-have, it's got a long and gorgeous history.
So buckle up your pointe shoes, grab a cuppa, and join me as we go back in time to 1964 and see how tutus were doing in the world of ballet...
1964: The Swinging Sixties!Oh darling, what a year! This was the year I would've been ten. It was such a magical time, the year I first put on a pink tutu myself! But this was a special year in ballet history as well, as it was when the Bolshoi Ballet was on tour in the UK. Talk about exciting!
They brought a wave of 'serious' ballets and serious tutus with them. All grand, and elaborate, nothing fluffy or frilly. Think dramatic tutus made with more fabric, all the way to the floor, and in fabulous shades of emerald and maroon.
We're talking tutu styles from the La Bayadere and the Giselle kind, full of flair and beauty.
And guess what?! 14th April 1964 was a real momentous occasion in the world of ballet. The Royal Opera House actually premiered "The Rake's Progress," an exciting new ballet. It made me wonder - I must get hold of tickets to a performance of that, for my next visit to 1964. It was directed by John Cranko - what a great choreographer, right?! He even took on a big role in helping the Royal Ballet achieve it's reputation of incredible technical skill and breathtakingly elegant tutus!
The ballerinas from the Royal Ballet had their favourite dance pieces that used amazing, super long tutus. It must have been like being wrapped up in an extravagant cloud - and think about the twirling! 😍
The style at the time really leaned into the grandeur of ballet, everything felt elegant and dramatic, making even simple ballet classes look quite the event! There was this exciting push to make it almost operatic, to lift ballet to new levels of excellence, which made me excited as a young dancer! I loved the way that people just gasped when they saw all these tutus at the ballets, and of course, we just had to try to replicate these beautiful looks!
Shopping for my Pink Tutu in 1964!As I mentioned before, the colour trend at the time for ballet was deep, bold hues, especially emerald and maroon. Of course, they weren't exactly my style, and my pink heart beat just a little faster when I saw all the glorious tutus on display! In fact, it was when I saw the gorgeous tutu the ballerina wore in Giselle that I became totally obsessed.
So I, of course, headed to London's Regent Street to the chic shops like Harrods and Liberty. In those days, everything was all about "looking the part" so even when I bought a pink ballet tutu (there were still plenty about), it wasn't necessarily a cheap or quick item, you know what I mean? It was important to go to the shops and make it a special experience.
I felt a right regal dancer trying on those fabulous pink tutus. You needed real poise to pull off those layers of tulle. All the tulle on display made me a bit dizzy, and the beautiful embroidery, just gorgeous.
My pink tutu wouldn't have been cheap but would've been a special occasion item to wear. It was about more than a costume; it was about embracing the feel of the magic. There was definitely a difference in the shopping experience and the way the whole dress was made when it was more traditional than what we have now! It was about timelessness. I couldn't help thinking "what a fantastic excuse to treat yourself to some shopping in London". What could be better than getting all dressed up and taking a trip by train to buy myself a new tutu?!
What about today?!Back in my own time, tutus are all about experimentation and a modern flair. It's great because everyone gets a go. Whether you're wearing a fluffy, multi-layered number at a ballet class or something short and modern at a contemporary performance, there's a tutu for everyone.
Today, our tutus are made with lightweight and super-flexible fabrics so it's more about how the tutu feels rather than just about looking amazing! We don't have that same stuffy old tradition anymore. This kind of variety is perfect because it makes everyone feel comfortable and fabulous.
This time travelling Tutu Tuesday has just proven to me that the tutu has stayed at the heart of ballet for decades! This timeless garment makes you feel amazing, whether it's 1964 or the year 2024. It doesn't matter what the year is, every day can be Tutu Tuesday when you’ve got your trusty tutu to wear!
Stay fab, stay fashionable, stay twirling. ✨
Emma xoxo
P.S. Let me know what you think about my time travels. If you'd like me to go to another specific date to see what ballet's like in the past, send me your ideas at my usual
