Hello darlings! Welcome back to another week of #TutuTuesday and the wonderful world of tutus! Today, we're taking a delightful little trip back in time – all the way to 3rd May 1983. Now, I've been to many time periods for this blog, but this one holds a special place in my heart because, let's be honest, what could be better than a trip to the glorious 80s? Just picture it: big hair, shoulder pads, and yes, even bigger tutus!
A Pink Princess's Travel Diary
Before we get into the time-travelling fun, I simply have to share how I got to the 80s. After a phenomenal performance of Giselle in, believe it or not, Bucharest last weekend, my suitcase overflowed with lovely, delicate tulle in shades of dusky rose and baby pink. So I, of course, opted for a first-class journey by train - a very luxurious affair! Honestly, nothing beats the romantic feeling of gliding through the countryside, imagining all the historical wonders I might encounter on my journey. I even snagged a fantastically feathered pink hat on my travels (totally worth the hefty price tag - fashion comes first, my darlings!).
Step into the 80s!
Right, now we’re ready for our tutu-tastic journey back to 1983! If I'm honest, fashion trends from this time make me slightly squeamish. Think oversized neon colours, leg warmers, and… yes… leggings with tutu skirts. That being said, those tutus – ah! The ones that really caught my eye were massive. They were voluminous, almost cloud-like, and adorned with ribbons, sequins, and so much tulle. The fabric was crisp and light, perfect for whipping up a dramatic whirl.
This decade, darlings, was a gold mine for tutus! In 1983, tutus became popular in everything from ballet performances to stage shows like Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats - think sleek, dark-coloured numbers, the antithesis of the classic pink tutu I cherish so much! The popularity of ballet, you see, really flourished in the 80s. And with that surge in interest, the tutu was catapulted into the limelight. Even pop stars embraced the trend!
Where Pink Rules the World
Honestly, it felt a little surreal stepping into this decade. You know I adore my bright pink, and here it was a bit less prominent. Pink, of course, always looks exquisite on dancers and those tutus… ah… perfection.
Fashion Notes From the Past
You simply can't talk about 1983 and its fashion without mentioning leg warmers! Every dancer in that decade was sporting them. (I still secretly adore them - you know, for those ballet class evenings when you want that added flair!). But even more iconic was the leotard. They weren't just basic, they came in a rainbow of colours! If there was a colour, there was a leotard in it - sometimes even paired with a tutu.
Time for a Little Tea and a Tutuskirt!
My journey back to the 80s sparked a wonderful new idea - creating a tutu-skirt with 1980s charm. We're talking a pink dream, with layers upon layers of soft tulle, and a pinch of vintage 80s glam. You'll be seeing it here on Pink-Tutu.com, I promise. Stay tuned for that launch later this week. It's sure to be the most darling, girly look - perfect for those warm summer days.
Ballet Performances & Where to Find the Perfect Tutu
It wouldn't be a Tutu Tuesday blog without a little ballet inspiration. I saw the most incredible performance of La Bayadère during my stay in 1983 - the ballerinas just soared across the stage, the tutus billowing behind them like fluffy clouds! It left me breathless! I was so captivated that I bought an elaborate tulle gown after the show and wore it while traveling back by train! That's how you should always do it!
As always, my lovelies, it's time to talk tutus. You can find all your classic pink tutus and dance wear at The Ballet Emporium - a lovely independent shop right here in my favourite part of London.
Until next week, when we'll delve into the world of tutus, let me know in the comments where you think tutus were most amazing - or better yet, share your best #tutuselfies! You never know, yours might inspire a future #TutuTuesday.
With all my love and dancing twirls,
Emma xo
