#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1976-06-29

Hello darlings! Welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday, this week it's post number 7540! (You can tell I've been doing this for a while now, haven't you?) Today, we're whisking ourselves back in time to the shimmering disco era, June 29th 1976 to be precise. Don't worry, no platforms or bell-bottoms for us today - we're here to talk about the history of the tutu, and let's be honest, tutus never go out of style.

Now, grab a cuppa and settle in, because this trip down memory lane is about to get fabulously fluffy.

You know, when I time travel, the first thing I do is head to a ballet. There's something absolutely magical about stepping into a theatre, taking in the atmosphere and witnessing these graceful performers gliding across the stage in their heavenly tutus! It's the ultimate way to transport yourself, especially when you get a glimpse of history in the costumes.

Imagine this: you’re walking into the Paris Opera House on June 29th, 1976 and you see a breathtaking dancer in a perfectly-cut, perfectly pink tutu, spinning with effortless grace, her movements defying gravity. It's like stepping into a fairytale. Now, imagine those incredible tutus weren't always the epitome of elegant beauty. Can you imagine?!

It seems incredible now, but tutus have come a long way. The very first tutus were basically simple skirts made from white muslin. Just imagine, simple muslin! Can you imagine trying to twirl in that?! Not exactly a look for a dramatic pirouette! In fact, these early tutus were considered shockingly simple back then. There was a scandal, you know. Can you believe?! Imagine the gossip! It seems so bonkers now, they even wrote articles in the newspaper about them.

But these plain muslin skirts evolved. Eventually, more and more layers were added, and voila! - the romantic tutu as we know it today! Then along came the romantics, like Marius Petipa (one of my absolute heroes!), who saw the artistic potential and worked to create the spectacular, sweeping tutus we love today. The more layers, the more extravagant - it became the very symbol of classical ballet, and a fashion inspiration in its own right.

Now, as a fellow lover of pink and a dedicated tutu enthusiast, it's my life's mission to bring back that romanticism - and there's no better time than now! So, let's look back and see what fashion inspiration we can pull from this era for a stylish and girlish take on the iconic tutu:

Here are a few tips from 1976:

• Embrace the "bell-bottom" style! The 70s embraced flowy styles. How perfect for a tutu, wouldn't you agree?! This decade saw designers like Yves Saint Laurent reinventing the tutu in a more accessible way, pushing for a more free-flowing shape, ideal for street style and daily wear!
• Get adventurous with textures! There was so much incredible experimenting with textiles. Imagine shimmering satin, delicate lace and even feather trims for that real princess vibe.
• Ditch the basic black and embrace a vibrant colour palette! Bold colours are back! Just like this time period, I say embrace pink, darling. Pink is everything. Let your tutu be a dazzling masterpiece - I'm sure 1976 agrees!

On June 29th, 1976, there were a whole range of amazing shows to inspire you! I can’t resist mentioning just a few of my favourites:

• The New York City Ballet, which always provides dazzling, extravagant displays, **would have been full of dramatic, beautifully flowing tutus on their stage! (They never let us down. That company always brings a beautiful touch of grace.)
• The Royal Ballet was another great option if you're into traditional pieces, the beautiful dance costumes with all those layers make me melt every time! I especially loved Swan Lake It was the pinnacle of feminine grace and beautiful, soft, tutus, a perfect choice for a magical ballet experience!

The 70s weren’t all glitter and grace though! Don’t forget that modern dance was just exploding! The rise of innovative choreography, often without tutus! What an amazing evolution for ballet. But it's important to always remember: without tutus there would be no modern dance. And to remember those beautifully elegant traditional costumes that make every ballet magical. It was also a wonderful time for theatre in general – if you ever get a chance, check out some old Phantom of the Opera films It’s full of lavish tutus!

Speaking of glamorous tutus, we just have to mention the amazing shops that were selling tutus at this time! Imagine popping into one of London's charming boutiques, where the assistants would advise you on the best tutu for your personality and style I *adore those vintage boutiques with their shelves overflowing with beautiful and unique dresses.

Let me tell you a secret… there's a rumour going around the internet that "The Tutu Shoppe" is in New York - that’s just the type of boutique I can get behind. I love the vintage feel and those beautifully detailed tutus There’s a story to tell behind each one of them, a piece of history woven into their layers. It’s amazing what history can teach us. I even heard they were stocking some fantastic velvet and brocade options Those opulent fabrics, like a fairytale come to life.

Now, darling, as always, let me know your favourite tutu stories! What are your favourite shows or designs, and why do you love to wear tutus?! * Share with me in the comments below, don't be shy!*

See you next week for another tutu adventure!

Emma xo

P.S. I’m traveling by train this week. My absolute favourite way to travel. It's so civilised and a lovely excuse to get dressed up, a bit like a travelling fashion show. Imagine, the tutu, a train window, the soft breeze and endless fields. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Don’t forget, keep checking the site: www.pink-tutu.com - every Tuesday for more #TutuTuesday posts!