Hello, darlings! Emma here, your very own tutu-wearing time traveller, back for another delightful delve into the history of our favourite fashion statement ā the tutu! This week, we're hopping in my time machine and heading back to 13th April, 1976! Now, get your tea and biscuits ready because I'm about to unleash a whole load of fabulous fashion history on you!
Let me just say, 1976 was a bit of a mixed bag, fashion-wise. It was the year that everyone thought flared trousers were absolutely de rigeur and even more flared than before. But hey, what's a girl to do, right? Luckily, we had a touch of tutu-liciousness popping up on the ballet scene!
This particular day, on the 13th of April, was a huge day for the ballet world! Over in New York City, the American Ballet Theatre was making waves with a spectacular production of āSwan Lakeā. You see, this is where those iconic fluffy tutus that we see today, known as āRomantic tutus,ā began their rise to stardom. The long layers, the soft chiffon ā pure balletic beauty! Imagine a stage, bursting with the energy and grace of the dancers, a breathtaking sight indeed!
It was also the week of the Edinburgh International Festival, which saw ballet making an exciting comeback. And don't even get me started on the amazing ballet costumes that graced the stages during the performances. Those feathered headpieces! The bejeweled bodices! The colour combinationsā¦ oh, just divine! And naturally, it wouldnāt be a ballet season without plenty of classic tutus to tantalize and delight! It makes you long for the days when elegance and grace took centre stage, right?
As I was wandering through the bustling streets of London that week, I was charmed by the colourful and daring styles of 70s fashion! The ladies were rocking everything from platform shoes and bell-bottoms, to floaty fabrics and bold colours ā they were embracing change, with a certain 'you do you' energy, which is something we could all use a touch of nowadays.
However, there was a noticeable lack of tutus in my everyday London scene. Tutut-lovers had to look to the ballet to find a true expression of the tutu, and thatās precisely what I did! I popped down to Sadler's Wells Theatre to watch "The Sleeping Beauty." And what a beautiful spectacle it was! My eyes were dazzled by those stunning tutus in soft, romantic colours that made me just want to spin like a ballerina myself!
Hereās the thing, you see, when it comes to ballet, history has played a huge role in shaping the tutu as we know it. Imagine if all we ever had was the pou de basque, that rigid skirt from the 19th century, well, no thanks! That's where these pioneers, those brave dancers who dared to embrace the Romantic tutu, played a key part. This iconic skirt of tulle became synonymous with beauty, grace, and the effortless movement of the dance.
But the 1976 ballerina didnāt stop at just wearing tutus on stage! They actually wore those tutu-like shapes into their everyday life! Remember that 70s style where a little bit of 'dancing in the street' spirit was present? There were so many tutus showing up everywhere: on street dancers, on dancers in plays, even on street fashion - it was almost like tutus had become their everyday outfit! Iām so pleased about this ā what a fabulous example of the evolution of our darling tutu from the stage to everyday life.
Here in Derbyshire, though, my tutu adventures this week were a little bit moreā¦ quaint. There wasnāt much tutu action at all! We were still getting over the winter weather (though it was beginning to feel like Spring!) So, while London and New York were ablaze with tutus, I was keeping my tutu for my weekly trips to ballet classes! Luckily, it wasn't just about the clothes, was it? I made sure I squeezed in some shopping trips for new ballet shoes and leotards in a tutu-friendly pink, of course! You just canāt beat a little bit of pink when it comes to tutus. It's like sunshine for your soul, right?
Here's to next week, my dearest tutu fans! We'll be journeying back to 1976 again for even more tutu history.
Until then, go on and embrace the tutu spirit! Put on your dancing shoes, let your heart take the lead, and remember, darling, the most important thing is to wear a pink tutu with confidence!
Emmaās Tutu Style Tip of the Week:Let's face it, we don't have a fashion era as fun as 1976 anymore, do we? But if there's one thing I learnt about style from 1976, it's to wear your favourite clothes, no matter what. It's about wearing what makes you happy. Go on and rock those floral patterns, embrace your love for tutus, wear what speaks to your heart, and above all else, express yourself in a way that brings a smile to your face!
Donāt forget, darling, that our tutu adventures can be even more fun with your input! Have you got a question about a specific tutu moment in history, a favourite dancer's outfit or maybe a fantastic vintage find? Share it all on www.pink-tutu.com - it could be featured on next week's #TutuTuesday blog!
