Hello my darling tutu-lovers! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling blogger Emma, and today's #TutuTuesday is going to take us on a thrilling trip back to the summer of 1990! Imagine it, darlings – the world was still dancing to the beat of Madonna's "Vogue," and acid wash denim was the fashion staple! But even back then, the ballet tutu was a timeless symbol of elegance and grace.
Oh, and for all you budding ballerinas out there, you won't believe who I just got to see performing today: the incomparable Sylvie Guillem! This legendary ballerina was dazzling on stage in London, giving an absolutely captivating performance in "Giselle." My darling tutus, it was divine! The story, the music, the costumes, Sylvie’s graceful movements – it was simply magical. It even gave me inspiration for a few tutu-licious outfit ideas, so expect a post on that soon!
But enough about my adventures! Let's dive into the history of this iconic piece of dancewear.
A Journey Back to the Victorian Era:
Remember those romantic Victorian ball gowns? Well, imagine taking the same flowing fabrics, layering them in multiple tiers, and tightening them around the waist, and you've got the earliest iteration of the tutu!
While it might seem a bit too "princess" for some, those first ballet tutus actually served a very practical purpose – they allowed the early ballet dancers to showcase their incredible leg movements! With their voluminous skirts, these early tutus enabled dancers to perform all sorts of high kicks, turns, and jumps that had never been seen before.
But let's be honest, those Victorian tutus weren't quite as streamlined as our modern-day tutus. Think "huge" - imagine yourself being practically swaddled in layers of tulle! The fashion for voluminous fabrics went right up into the 1920s. But even back then, dance wear began to change. And change it did...
The "Tutu-tion" of Ballet:
By the 1930s, ballet had begun to evolve in a truly revolutionary way. This period was all about creating a look that emphasised the beauty of a dancer’s body rather than just covering them up in endless tiers of fabric.
The 1940s and 50s brought a shift towards more practical and stylish tutu designs. Suddenly, shorter, less voluminous skirts began to dominate, showing off those sculpted ballet legs! Think of these designs as the precursor to the classic "Romantic tutu" we all adore today, which was perfected in the late 1950s and early 60s by designers like Christian Dior.
Let's Talk About Tulle
Tutu means "tulle" in French, and you can't talk about tutus without mentioning this wondrous fabric! Imagine gossamer-thin nylon netting that makes it incredibly soft, but still firm enough to keep its shape. The use of this revolutionary fabric really changed the way ballet looked - goodbye heavy layered skirts! This was also the era that gave rise to those iconic romantic tutus!
The Tutu is Still Making Waves
Oh, how ballet has evolved since then, and it’s still changing even now!
While ballet today has an incredibly diverse landscape of modern dance styles, the tutu is still a symbol of tradition, grace and beauty, not just on stage but off of it as well.
My dear tutudom! Don't forget the power of a fabulous tutu – the most delightful way to turn every occasion into a ballet extravaganza. So why not take a tip from the greats like Sylvie Guillem, who embraced their individual styles on stage? Do whatever inspires you, darling – wear it with confidence!
For me, a trip down the ballet memory lane never fails to inspire me to look at this timeless piece of dancewear in a whole new light. After all, what is life without a dash of glitter, a touch of magic, and a good twirl?
This Week's Fashion Find:
And speaking of tutus, darling, this week I just discovered the most adorable collection of pink tutus from [Mention a well known UK department store or fashion website] and you’ve simply got to see them! Imagine all those adorable little tutus, all shades of pink – I nearly swooned with excitement. (Plus, my readers can get a 10% discount when you use the code: “TUTULOVER" at checkout – how fabulous is that? You’re welcome!).
So don’t be shy, dear readers! Follow the trail of the pink tutu and get ready to “pink-ify” the world one twirl at a time!
Until next Tuesday!
Lots of Love, Emma
P.S. Be sure to tag me on social media in all your tutu-licious posts with #TutuTuesday! I’d love to see all the amazing tutu styles you’ve got to offer. And if you want more stories of fabulous tutus and dance, be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday!
