#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1977-03-15

Hiya lovely Tutu lovers! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, ready to take you on another trip through history with my favourite garment: the tutu! Today, we’re whisking back to March 15th, 1977, a year when fashion and ballet were blending like a perfectly timed pirouette!

Stepping off the train from Derby and into the heart of London, the city felt electric! Think shiny disco balls, platform shoes, and an air of excitement that felt like a perfect plié. It was a time when dancing, like fashion, had taken on a whole new life!

The Royal Ballet was in full swing at Covent Garden! They were staging ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, a classic ballet masterpiece, and I practically had to push past a queue of glamorous ladies just to get a peek of the programme!

Talking of glamorous… The ballerinas’ costumes were stunning! We're talking shimmering tulle, dramatic pouffes of net, and colours that practically shouted, “Look at me!”. I felt the urge to pull out my own tutu, even if I just had to twirl once on the sidewalk for passers-by.

The stage sets, oh my, were positively magical! Everything from the palace ballrooms to the enchanted forest seemed to come to life through beautiful lighting and creative use of stage props. Imagine that magical forest setting combined with disco lights - the ultimate dance party!

Speaking of parties, one of the biggest events on this date was…

That’s right! A big fancy-dress affair with a live orchestra, dancing and, you guessed it, more spectacular tutus! There were tutus of every shape and size, but what really stood out was the abundance of “fluffy tutus” which were super voluminous, all about that romantic ballerina vibe, much like my personal preference for pink fluffy tutus, of course.

Can you imagine how incredible that would have looked in the disco ball glare of the time? A dazzling symphony of tulle, glitter, and moves that made my own toes twitch!

Now, who says ballet can't influence fashion? In 1977, ballet’s romantic softness was merging with the bold, disco energy of the era!

Think high-waisted trousers paired with billowing silk tops, creating a flow that resembled a ballerina's grace. You wouldn't see that at Covent Garden, though! There's a reason why ballet costumes remain so classically elegant, and that’s a good thing. I think ballet, just like tutus, is about tradition as well as modern expression. It’s all about finding the right balance, even for my little pink tutu heart!

What I loved about the style was the colour palette! Fushia pinks, turquoise blues, oranges – and, naturally, plenty of bright, bright pink, like me! Everything had a joyful vibrancy, much like a perfectly executed pirouette, or a bright new pink tutu!

And of course, no look was complete without a sprinkle of glitter! Remember those shiny gold platform shoes everyone wore? And that shimmering lip gloss that practically pulsed with light under the disco balls? Well, they were all a direct influence from the dazzling costumes of the ballerinas!

Let's face it, everything back in ‘77 felt inspiringly fun. But the best bit about time travel isn't just the fashion and the ballet, it's meeting amazing people with equally infectious enthusiasm for the art of dancing.

Today's journey made me remember why I'm such a fan of ballet history. It’s so inspiring to see how the art form has grown and changed with the times. From the traditional white tutus to the more expressive, bold outfits of today, there’s an entire history of creativity and innovation.

As always, my dream is to bring the joy and wonder of ballet into everyday life! I still believe a little pink tutu magic can make everything a bit brighter, whether it's 1977 or 2023. Maybe this year we can even do something fun and combine modern fashion with some old-school tutus!

Just picture a vibrant tutu worn with a stylish 70s vibe outfit, maybe even a pair of platforms, to create that ultimate mix of ballet and disco!

Don’t forget to keep those tutus flowing, my lovely tutu tribe. See you next week for another adventure through ballet history, and remember… life is much more fun in a tutu!

Until next Tuesday, twirl your hearts out! 💖

Emma,

The Pink Tutu Time Traveller

P.S Don’t forget to let me know your favourite pink tutu moments from the world of dance in the comments below!