Hello, darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time-traveller, ready to take you on another whimsical trip through the glorious history of ballet tutus. This Tuesday, we’re stepping back to August 21st, 1973, and oh my goodness, the 70s were such a fabulously flamboyant era for fashion! Think bold colours, striking patterns, and a touch of groovy glam - the perfect setting for a tutu that would have you turning heads.
Now, as you know, I always like to combine a bit of history with a dash of shopping escapades, because a girl’s got to stay stylish, right? Today, we’ll be focusing on what's trending in the tutu world - think romantic, flowing shapes, but with a sprinkle of those fun 70s details, like a little bit of shimmer and a lot of vibrant colours!
The 70s were a whirlwind of change, and the dance world wasn’t exempt. In ballet, the focus shifted a little away from the traditional and classical tutus, to exploring more free-flowing and experimental designs. This era brought us tutus with looser layers, wider skirts, and even tutus with extra flair, think frills, and even, gasp, some added sparkle! It was a bold step away from the tight and restrictive tutus of the past, and, in my opinion, made for a lot more exciting dance moves.
I can’t tell you how much I adore those bold and vibrant colours the 70s embraced - think sunny yellows, brilliant oranges, striking purples - it was like someone took a rainbow and shook it up into a tutu explosion! And the fabrics? They were glorious! Velvets, silks, and chiffons - so much luscious texture to dance around in! I bet you can picture it – imagine those ethereal tutus billowing and swishing around the stage, capturing the vibrant energy of the decade.
And speaking of vibrancy, let's talk about pink! You know, it's a little known fact that I’m actually from Derbyshire, you know, a little piece of green countryside tucked away in England. Well, back then, pink was seen as a decidedly girly colour, much like me. It was an easy way for ballerinas to add a bit of personality to their costumes, especially on the stage where you really want that dramatic presence.
You wouldn’t catch me wearing anything else! I simply adore how a pink tutu radiates both confidence and femininity, reminding everyone that, well, tutus are, like, so totally us, you know? I actually have a few favourite stores in London right now that specialize in gorgeous pink tutus, even ones with some fab vintage inspired detail – and of course I had to buy them all for my time travel wardrobe! They are just darling, aren't they?
So, if you're feeling inspired, I say go ahead and embrace a touch of pink in your wardrobe! It doesn't have to be a full-blown pink tutu - maybe just a pink ribbon around your wrist, or a pink scarf with a vintage flair. It's about celebrating that feminine energy and embracing your personal style.
I do find myself doing quite a lot of time travel to London. The energy, the people, the dance performances - and I always try to make a beeline to one of the iconic stores, Liberty. It has an incredible history, right back to the 1870s - and has always been an incredibly trendy place to find the latest styles. The textiles there, the clothes, everything about that store just whispers, ‘fashion.’ When I want to feel the pulse of the decade, it’s the perfect place to explore and to imagine all those fabulous dances with the most stylish dancers, wearing beautiful creations made just like the ones that I can buy for my own collection.
Oh, but I don't want to forget our time-travel agenda for today! So, what else is happening on August 21st, 1973, that we need to mention in our time-travel history lesson? Well, to be completely honest, the events of that date don’t stand out particularly to me, or to the historians I have a chat with - there isn't some momentous occasion or grand performance for tutus in the spotlight.
It was just another day in a year packed with fascinating events. So, that gives us the perfect chance to bring in a little bit of my love for everything theatrical! Think about it - all of the iconic Broadway shows that were hitting their stride in 1973, all of the beautiful tutus being showcased, on dancers with some serious stage presence. That's the stuff dreams are made of, isn't it? And imagine that you could just go, in your own little tutu-inspired dress, and just feel like you’re part of it. It’s enough to make any girl, especially one from Derbyshire, feel utterly delighted!
But of course, I need to remind you all that I earn my time-travel journeys by giving a little bit back. My travels, of course, involve being on stage in my own right. And to make this time-travel tutu adventure truly special, let's go on a magical ballet performance exploration trip – one that really lets our inner tutu-enthusiasts fly!
This week, we’re taking the train down to Paris, a city I simply adore, where you know, people actually make time to dress up, like they do back in my Derbyshire countryside! And while we're there, we're going to indulge in a spectacular performance of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake! There are two separate ballet companies in Paris – the Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris and the Paris Opera Ballet – and honestly they’re both a delight to experience! You can almost see those magical tulle tutus shimmering in my mind, and the music – oh it’s just so heavenly. It's simply not possible to be in Paris and resist a chance to enjoy this ballet classic. Don’t you agree?
Of course, to complete a truly delightful trip, we have to experience something else – shopping. And when we're in Paris, shopping has to mean going to a vintage clothing shop - I love getting my hands on a beautifully crafted piece from another era - or simply discovering the hidden gem, you know, that vintage piece in an unlikely corner! I can just imagine a little French boutique in the Montmartre district, the air perfumed with the scent of roses, a small but stylish shop, where, if you looked closely enough, you’d be able to find a tutu - one with a secret – perhaps, you’d see a little detail from the 70s that nobody would recognise but you. Now that's what I call a magical shopping experience!
So there you have it, my darlings! My love for ballet and tutus, paired with my adventurous spirit, has allowed me to experience time travel! It’s all been such an unforgettable journey. And this Tuesday, we've travelled to a very specific point in time - August 21st, 1973! We’ve even made it to Paris to see the gorgeous Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, and found a fabulous little vintage shop tucked away on a cobblestone street, looking for the next exciting piece for my time-travelling tutu collection!
And what have you been up to, darlings? Tell me everything! And don’t forget, take a moment to get a little tutu inspiration! I know I did, and if you find that you just can’t stop dreaming, join me on another adventure next Tuesday - there's a whole world of tutu history waiting for you, darlings! Until then, stay fabulous and keep your pink tutus ready to twirl.
