#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1985-12-31

Hello darlings! It's Emma, your resident pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, and I'm so excited to take you back in time once more for this week's #TutuTuesday. Buckle up, because we're headed for the fabulous era of 1985, a year where big hair and even bigger tutus reigned supreme!

I was lucky enough to pop by New York City on December 31st of this sparkly year. I tell you, it was a sight to behold. New Year's Eve in the city that never sleeps, full of glittering parties, extravagant costumes, and... you guessed it, tutus!

You wouldn't believe the street fashion! Everyone was decked out in neon colours, leg warmers (a must for any budding ballerina), and of course, the ubiquitous tulle skirt. Now, it wasn't the most ballet-specific kind of tutu - a bit more poofy, a bit more flamboyant, definitely a "disco tutu", if you will. But the spirit of swirling, airy grace was definitely there! It seemed everyone wanted to tap into that magic, whether they were dancing at Studio 54 or just waltzing into a friend's New Year's Eve party.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Emma, tutus were never worn in New York in the '80s". To which I say: Poppycock! There is always a connection. Maybe it's not always a literal, on-stage tutu, but it's that feminine silhouette, that ethereal, almost magical feeling that makes you feel like you can dance on air. And believe me, everyone in the '80s was ready to dance the night away, even if they didn't have pointe shoes on their feet.

As for ballet itself, the world was absolutely smitten with Mikhail Baryshnikov. His electrifying presence on stage was magnetic, his technique breathtaking, and the world just couldn't get enough. I got to see him perform live on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in this time period. And let me tell you, it was an unforgettable experience. He literally embodied the elegance and beauty of ballet in a way I had never seen before. I even spotted his wife, Jessica Lange, looking simply exquisite in the audience - I bet her dressing room was filled with tulle too!

So, here we are, the year of the legendary Baryshnikov, the year of shoulder pads, the year of oversized glasses. And yes, even the year of the not-so-typical tutu, the tutu of fun, the tutu of feeling free and ready for a good time.

If you want a taste of this exhilarating energy, you'll have to travel back to the '80s - or, you know, find the right playlist and put on your pink tutu. Maybe don't go full-on shoulder pads and neon though - it’s more fun to leave a little bit of time travel in your fashion!

Until next week, darlings. Stay pink, stay fabulous, and remember, you're always just one tutu away from being a ballerina, even if you're not at the Royal Opera House!

And don't forget, you can always find my other time-travelling tutu adventures on the www.pink-tutu.com website! I'm always up for suggestions for places and eras you want me to explore. So don't hesitate to leave a comment below.