Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, for another instalment of #TutuTuesday! I'm your favourite pink-clad time-travelling ballerina blogger, Emma, bringing you a journey through the history of the glorious tutu!
Today's adventure takes us right back to March 10th, 1998 - almost a quarter of a century ago! Oh, the excitement! This week, I decided to whisk us back to a time of grunge, Britpop and dial-up internet. Just imagine it - we've all just witnessed a historical ballet premiere – that iconic Swan Lake production in London!
The Swan Queen's Favourite
As a time traveller, the past is literally a playground, and tutus have taken me to the most glorious places. But you know what, for a girl who just loves a classic, a ballet like Swan Lake takes the cake. Can you imagine those iconic white tutus, all billowing around those exquisite ballerinas on stage? A beautiful moment of grace, poise and – let’s not forget – the absolute joy of watching a beautifully executed ballet! The sheer artistry just takes your breath away!
You see, dear reader, tutus haven’t just been fashion staples in the world of dance; they've captured the imagination of fashion designers, artists and, of course, countless other ballet enthusiasts throughout history! In 1998, that ballet fever was sweeping the world. It's no wonder the tutu remained a symbol of grace, artistry and – don't be shy darling – the pure and utter fun of dancing!
Onwards to 1998 – My Favourite Era (So Far)
This period was truly iconic – it's hard to even articulate its amazingness. The world was bursting with colour! That bold, vibrant nineties look had me doing serious head-spinning, especially the explosion of everything pink (which is why I decided to start this website). Remember the oversized sweatshirts, bright, bold floral prints and – the ultimate expression of 1990s fashion – the chunky trainers?
Imagine a 1990s high street brimming with vibrant clothes – a time where the word 'vintage' had barely made it to the shops (but, trust me, it was already bubbling below the surface). There was a pure, innocent joy about fashion in this decade.
For the dance lover (myself included!), we had tutus galore. The romantic tutus, perfect for ballerinas who wanted to channel their inner Swan Queen. Those billowing layers! All of this was happening whilst tutus continued to be used in many styles, including contemporary, neo-classical and the even the avant-garde – I saw it all!
What Was Fashion Like in 1998?
I can remember browsing the local market on Derby Day – the excitement and the energy – finding a second-hand pink tutu, just waiting to be rescued by a loving pair of ballerina hands. Of course, as with any era, there were trends and then there were trends... and as far as my personal fashion philosophy is concerned, trends never stayed in one place! There was a little bit of a wild west vibe, all those vintage treasures – and of course the beautiful ballerina dresses that were beginning to emerge. You could have worn pretty much anything with the right attitude (it really was the age of rebellion! ) But – here's the thing - everyone had such amazing personal style!
Travelling by Train in the UK: My Preferred Way to Travel
Imagine being a time-travelling blogger. In 1998, I would be all about catching the train for some seriously dreamy weekend adventures in London or across to the glorious rolling countryside. That steam train magic – those views, especially in the Peak District, Derbyshire. There’s nothing quite like settling down with a good book (which – I admit – can often be a vintage edition), wearing one of those gorgeous floral dresses. For a modern ballerina on the go – a vintage dress, a good book and a dash of pink lipstick... you know how I feel.
But let’s talk about those pink lips... the bright coral colours, the juicy watermelon shades. Oh my, the boldness of it all. All the colours were bold in that era - bold orange, deep teal...it was just so full of vibrant life! So why wouldn’t that energy translate to fashion, too?! I felt truly liberated. Even the colour pink – a real love of mine, as you know – was taking its own exciting direction – a whole range of pinks! From sugary pink to bright shocking pink (the perfect pop of colour to go with my ballet tutu collection).
Why This Time Travel Life Makes My Heart Sing
What's my favourite part about being a time-travelling ballet blogger, you ask? The thrill of those ballet performances - especially back in 1998, those beautiful Swan Lake ballet costumes! Each show is an opportunity to immerse myself in a bygone era. And you know me - I'm always on the lookout for an amazing pair of vintage ballet shoes! You might find me searching through those hidden treasure shops in Soho... (my shopping always comes down to a tutu!).
One thing I do miss is the absence of Instagram (or TikTok – oh the horrors!). However, the social life back then was so real and personal – going out to clubs and dancing to amazing dance tracks (all the dance music!), and all of this in an elegant, colourful vintage dress - a dream for any fashionista (or ballerina!)
It's All About a Little Touch of Tutu
My dear ballet friends, you're welcome to take this blog post as a challenge to dig out a vintage tutu - a touch of classic beauty to elevate your outfits - to be an everyday fashion muse. Why not try a vintage tutu dress with bold lipstick?. In our chaotic, fast-paced world, you just might find yourself looking for a little bit of magic. And let's be honest, who doesn't love the classic allure of a ballet tutu?
Now it’s time to find a vintage ballet tutu, go grab that pink lipstick, dress it up, dress it down. Don't worry, darlings, don't forget to smile, be kind to others, dance your way through life and, always, wear your tutus with pride.
Stay tuned for next week's post! And be sure to follow along at www.pink-tutu.com to share your own favourite tutu moments - I love reading all your comments.
TutuTuesday PinkTutuLife TimeTravellingBallerina 1998fashion vintageballet