Hello lovelies! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another dip into the delightful history of the tutu! I'm Emma, your ever-so-slightly obsessed tutu enthusiast, and this week I've travelled all the way back to May 2nd, 1989. Can you believe it? 34 years ago! (Time travel can be rather tiring, I'll have you know! All that rushing about, not to mention finding the right outfit. A girl's got to stay fabulous, after all!)
Today I'm feeling quite pink, so it was a no-brainer: pink tutu and matching feather boa! Honestly, how can you not adore pink? It's just so whimsical and cheerful, don't you think? Makes me feel like a sugarplum fairy!
But let's talk history, darlings! What's happening in the world of ballet on this very day, you ask?
Well, first things first, 1989 is all about romantic ballet! You know, the stories about the beautiful, innocent princess (usually) being swept off her feet by a charming prince, all against the backdrop of dramatic music and captivating dances. It's almost like real life… if only princes still waltzed us away! Sigh (Who am I kidding, I still dream about those white horse entrances, darling!).
So what are some of the fabulous shows I might have popped in to see this week?
Well, The Sleeping Beauty would have been in full swing at the Royal Ballet in London. Such a gorgeous production! It never gets old! Those gorgeous tutus - talk about classic! - just make me want to dance! Oh, to be as light and graceful as a ballerina! Imagine the tutus - the puffy romantic tutus in all shades of pink! You know I had to see the pink ones, obviously, darling! And they wouldn't have been on the dancers' shoulders. A long skirt was still in! My shoulders would have aced those dresses. Honestly, those were the days. The world was full of graceful swirling of pale tulle, not a skinny pencil tutu in sight! It would've been such a treat!
At the Paris Opéra Ballet, we might have enjoyed a dazzling rendition of Giselle. You know, that romantic story of the innocent girl seduced and abandoned? Classic, darling! Always gets me a little teary-eyed - such passionate ballet! I adore it!
Now, darling, in all these productions the emphasis is always on the grace, beauty, and movement, you know, everything that makes the dancer shine. You could almost see the story just from how the tutu flowed and twirled! And if the story was one of sorrow or heartbreak, you just felt the feeling! Such dramatic art. You just wouldn't get that from, for example, that dreadful pencil tutu style of today. Shocking. The tutus might not be quite as impressive but oh, those movements… Those ballet stories and those dramatic tutus are like my cuppa - just brilliant, darlings!
Now onto tutus themselves!
In 1989, ballet fashion is a little different to what we see now. Gone are the tight, restrictive, modern tutus and pencil skirts. We're all about soft, voluminous tulle, my darlings! Think cascading layers, beautiful swirls and delicate lace! Everything is so much more romantic - just look at how these stunning, beautiful creations reflect the soul of ballet! You can practically hear the music swirling with every graceful tour!
What a beautiful era for ballet! It's full of graceful tutus and heart-stopping moves. So romantic. Just imagine the exquisite fabric - think pale, powdery hues of pink or white! Imagine a long skirt falling gracefully from a tutu. Oh, the beauty!
And then you have the dancers in their graceful, flowing styles. Imagine it - hair piled up and loose, sometimes adorned with the tiniest sparkly diadems and delicate ribbons. Every bit of it whispers of grace! The dancers in 1989 were absolute beauties - graceful in every single step and pose. Just think of those impossibly graceful positions, all set against the soft pastel shades of these romantic tutus, and then imagine what those gorgeous pink tutus really looked like in this era. Just dreamy, darlings! If only you could see it! You could easily picture a gorgeous ballet with such an exquisite ballerina… It would be like stepping straight out of The Sleeping Beauty !
Don't get me wrong, my dearies! I adore tutus in every shade and style. The shorter, modern tutus have their own chic vibe. You know, something very sharp, crisp and a touch fierce! Ooh, la la - all the very best from 2023 has made its way right back here! How divine is that. Really, what better inspiration for my outfits than my favourite time periods? My dear, we just might own this time travel!
It’s important to remember that the tutu wasn't always considered "the" ballerina outfit. When we get back to the earliest times, the "tutu" might just be a rather loose, tattered outfit worn for performance! Imagine! You’re getting right into the action and your ‘tutu’ is basically just a rather shapeless bag! Honestly, I'm not even sure those things could have held any lace or frills for those dancers in the late 18th century. No chance, darling!
It’s like we’re starting a journey, travelling to where a tutu begins! But as time passes, the tutu morphs from something simple to a thing of beauty, imagination, and, most importantly, art. This amazing journey of beauty and fashion is what inspires my wardrobe! The style and shape have come a long way! What a treat to go on this incredible voyage, even in just our imaginations! We see such changes throughout history. Sometimes a ballerina will twirl into something more like a simple dress with long, flowing skirts - you know, what the original ballerinas really danced in for ages! Then again they transform to something more defined and structured!
However, in the 19th century - a most lovely era indeed - our little tutu starts its dramatic rise, becoming this breathtaking vision of feminine elegance. Just think - the dancers start wearing this short skirt that makes every movement flow like air. And that was a big moment! That little, lovely, flowy skirt becomes something truly magical! How divine to imagine a room full of beautiful, floating ballerinas… especially wearing pink!
Then the Romantic period arrives. This era really took my beloved tutu, shaped it, and transformed it! Oh, it's such a beautiful time in tutu history. What was a simple dance skirt gets all those layers and ruffles we're so fond of, darlings. All of those swirling, airy designs in beautiful soft colours are just what dreams are made of! Imagine them spinning in The Sleeping Beauty or in Giselle! I'd be absolutely captivated as if I'd fallen asleep under a spell!
But our story, of course, goes on! We have a fantastic mix of eras where our tutus have morphed from a rather simple outfit to a thing of utter beauty and glory! We must remember though that no one could possibly have predicted how popular and how influential our little tutu would become at some point in history - the future was just as unclear for these lovely ladies as it is for us!
Let's not forget that what we love about tutus isn’t just about the fashion. It’s about ballet itself! Oh, how I do love ballet - even now, as my tutu takes me into any era. The sheer grace and beauty never stops making me fall in love! I can't even begin to express just how utterly divine those moves look, especially those delicate, effortless leaps that just take your breath away. Honestly darling, just the tutus are lovely, but the way they look as the ballerina performs is magical! I want everyone to have a little bit of that grace. I want everyone to see just how fabulous our little tutus can make us!
Now darling, what are you going to do today with your own tutu? Will you be taking to the stage? Will you be practicing some graceful moves? Or maybe just having fun and dancing your way through life? Tell me about it in the comments!
In the meantime, darling, remember: wear pink! Wear your tutu proudly! And keep on twirling your way to happiness!
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog to keep up with all my Tutu Tuesday adventures! And you can always find more inspiring posts and pics over on Instagram. It's what I'm here for! It's the only way to be sure you'll never miss my travel stories, fashion news, and tutu love and tips! See you all next Tuesday lovelies!
