Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, and today we're going on a fabulously fashionable journey back to 1979 for our #TutuTuesday. Buckle up, lovelies, because we're heading for a time where leg warmers ruled the dance world and sequins were the name of the game!
Today's Tutu Tuesday post is numero 7677! Isn't that just delightful? As you know, my passion for tutus isn't just about how they look, it's about how they connect us to the rich history of ballet.
I found a gorgeous vintage ticket for a show at the Royal Opera House on February 13th, 1979. I do love my vintage finds - a lovely silk scarf I found last week has taken my travel wardrobe to another level - this little ticket just calls for a trip!
And as soon as I landed, let me tell you, it was pure glamour! London was brimming with fashion forward souls sporting bold colors, dramatic hairstyles and, of course, some seriously chic leg warmers. Think those 80s dance trends but with a fabulous 70s twist. You couldn't walk down Bond Street without encountering a flurry of sequins, jumpsuits, and flared trousers! It was utterly magical.
Oh, and let's not forget the dancing, darlings! The Royal Ballet was putting on "The Sleeping Beauty" that evening. Just imagine, my lovelies! A classical ballet that’s a visual feast, overflowing with grand sets, spectacular costumes and beautiful, breathtaking moves. If only we had had a little time to visit a Covent Garden class, or watch the company rehearsing! The thought makes my tutu swirl!
Now, before we go all nostalgic, let's chat tutus! This era was, I think, a wonderful moment for tutu design, an elegant and graceful time in fashion history when a ballet dancer looked quite literally, the very essence of elegance and a ladylike grace. The tutus back then were crafted from exquisite fabrics, with lovely swathes of pale tulle and beautiful patterns in those gorgeous classic fabrics - silks and satins that flowed effortlessly in each elegant movement. I spotted a couple of dancers with classic 'pancake' tutus, short, full skirts made with several layers of tulle that are designed to expand in a beautiful circular shape. Such iconic shapes, lovelies! The 'pancake' tutus were ideal for fast, dazzling pirouettes. There were also some enchanting 'Romantic tutus'. You know me, and how much I adore romantic tulle styles. These beauties, are a little longer and flowing, giving the dancers an airy and ethereal presence - the most dreamy, romantic look for the ballerina, like she's floating across the stage.
I popped into Harrods (my oh my - haven't they got the most exquisite millinery!) and discovered, believe it or not, that they actually had a full floor devoted to ballet shoes! Imagine that, my lovelies! Now, those ballet shoes had some fascinating detailing – the laces were long and delicate and often in contrasting colours, giving a little flourish of something fabulous. I'm all for a touch of extravagance! Even back then, designers had some incredible artistic license when it came to footwear.
It wasn't all dancing, of course. I had a chance to sample a wonderful plate of the quintessential British afternoon tea - a symphony of scones, pastries, and dainty finger sandwiches. The afternoon tea really captured the elegance and the sophistication of the time, don't you think, my dears? Just picture the charmingly decorated tearooms, with their plush chairs, beautiful china cups, and that most delicious teapot filled with aromatic, steaming brew. A delightful touch to any day out!
Then it was off to the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane - you couldn't ask for a more grand old building, even though the production of "Oliver!" was more on the lively side! So, so many gorgeous colours. But those vibrant hues had a kind of subdued feel in that space. Such wonderful colour contrast! They just did their own thing! I do love a spot of vibrant fashion and those lovely, big, brightly colored trousers were very popular and just added to the vibrancy.
I managed to catch a few dancers, my lovelies, dashing through Covent Garden on their way home after rehearsals. Some had those charming velvet warmers over their dancing shoes - absolutely glorious! Imagine how fun those must have been to wear! The sheer volume of fabrics would have made each graceful turn feel that bit more glamorous. The little detailing on those leg warmers is truly exquisite! We have to give it to the designers and performers of the 70s for creating a truly fabulous world that still inspires dance fashion today. I imagine many contemporary ballet dancers still wear velvet, legwarmers and even incorporate velvet in their ballet wear today.
And my darlings, speaking of dancing, if you're interested in making a tutu of your own (you know, to inspire you!) don't forget to hop on over to the DIY tutu tutorials on Pink-Tutu.com! And don’t be afraid to go wild and incorporate a bit of colour - that 70s vibe calls for some flamboyant additions! You'll have to trust me when I tell you that putting together a vintage look at home just adds an element of fun - something to really help inspire your day, darling!
It's now time to bid adieu to the wonderful world of ballet in 1979. You're a gorgeous, stylish bunch and don’t forget that the world of ballet and its lovely, pretty, pink tutu costumes are a fantastic resource for inspiring fabulous style - just as much now as back in 1979. And if there’s something that truly does inspire the most exciting and fashionable looks, I truly believe that tutu’s have that je ne sais quoi - the little something special! If you ever feel the need to find something inspiring and elegant, darling, look no further than that beautifully ruffled ballet tutu, ready to take you into another, even more glamorous world!
See you all next Tuesday for our next fabulous #TutuTuesday post, when we travel forward - a little time travel adventure into a new era of tutus, from a brand new place in time! Until then, keep it pretty, my lovelies, and enjoy your day! 💖🩰
