Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, coming at you live from a little spot called…well, I can't say where exactly! It's a secret, but let's just say it's somewhere where tutus are REALLY appreciated, a haven for pink frills and twirling. 😉
Today is a VERY special #TutuTuesday because guess what? It's 6th October, 2015, and let me tell you, fashion history was made today, folks! No, seriously! There was a fashion show where a major fashion house decided to bring the tutus into their collection. Talk about high-fashion tutu love!
I actually have to go back to another date before this one to tell you how important it is. On 8th September, 2015, something AMAZING happened…Beyoncé rocked a full-on ballet tutu in the "Formation" video, making ballet go mainstream. Not to mention, her dancers were looking fierce in tutus as well. Talk about tutu-power! 💖💪🏼 That one video blew tutus up, darling, putting them on everyone's radar, and that fashion house probably saw that, which is why their tutu-inspired pieces were so, so brilliant!
But before all that, I’m going to take you on a trip back in time - you'll be so surprised at the journey of the tutu! Buckle up, because we’re going back to the 18th century, and the origin of our beloved tulle (and remember: I’m talking to all the tutu-lovers out there. We need to be respectful about history when we're discussing the ballet!) 🩰
Tutus, as we know them, first graced the stage when a man named Carl von Weber wrote a piece of music in 1827 called “White Lady.” The star dancer, Marie Taglioni, wearing a new garment that was light and airy, allowing her to float across the stage like a sylph, created an absolute sensation! That revolutionary piece made history, launching the tutu into its place in ballet history. Imagine how big that must have felt for her! 🤩
Fast forward to the mid-1800s and we get what's known as the romantic era, where tutus took centre stage! Think swirling, flowing tutus and dainty silhouettes! This period was truly about letting the dancers express their freedom and femininity through graceful movements, and tutus perfectly captured that. 💖
Then the 1870s happened and they saw a big shift! Tutudom, darling, went full-on classical ballet! It got all formal and rigid! Imagine tutus with layered tulle and lots and lots of frills. Now imagine some beautiful, complex designs and really stunning movements…oh, it’s beautiful! 😍 This "classical tutu" remained iconic and popular through the twentieth century and continues to dazzle us to this very day. It's still considered one of the most popular ballet tutus in the world today! 😍 I could dance in one for hours.
So you're seeing, my loves, that tutus have truly been a cornerstone of ballet, changing and adapting through time. And the best bit? They never stopped being graceful, feminine and enchanting! That is something I hold dear and always champion - ballet, especially classical, is a wonderful way to showcase and celebrate beauty! I can’t imagine a ballet show without tutus, frankly.
But hold on to your tutus, darling, there's more! The next chapter, for me at least, is my absolute favourite, it's a fun one - the Twentieth Century. This is when ballet tutu innovation was really stepping up! 💖
You know all those fantastic, dreamy and intricate Tchaikovsky ballet tutus with a more modern vibe? Well, darling, that came out of the twentieth century. Now that is something worth dancing for! And of course, we had amazing modern ballet, the breakaway kind, with more innovative moves, and let's not forget Tchaikovsky’s music being part of so much of it! You wouldn’t be surprised to learn that dancers wore more simple and flexible tutus, allowing for that awesome movement. Ballet, darling, has gone wild with movement, all for that beautiful impact - truly remarkable.
Oh, did I mention my absolute favourite modern-day ballerina? It has to be Sylvie Guillem. What grace and strength this ballerina holds… absolutely divine! She is a real icon in the tutu world - always wearing these fabulous pieces that look sleek, modern and absolutely perfect on stage. And how divine are her performances? I've been so lucky to travel to watch her. 🩰
Then there’s my dear, beloved Derbyshire - I just HAVE to tell you about it - they hold their annual Royal Ballet season and oh, I love going! There's nothing like seeing amazing ballerinas dressed to the nines, twirling away in stunning tutus, all to that glorious live orchestra. Talk about making memories!
Remember I mentioned going back in time? Well, darling, when I last time traveled through 1964, the biggest tutu trend that caught my eye was the “ballet boot”, that stylish little creation! It combined that iconic tutu silhouette with comfortable, flat ballet shoes! Can you believe it?! The look was absolutely fabulous! I bought a pair for myself…they are amazing and definitely worthy of #TutuTuesday. You might be able to find similar things on the high street - vintage style is everywhere nowadays, which makes me very, very happy!
But this is not all about the ballet, because let's face it, tutus are more than just for ballerinas. Every single one of you can be a ballerina!, darling! There’s something magical about tutus - the colours, the femininity, the playful energy it brings out…it’s universally attractive, don’t you think? And now I think they are more fashionable than ever before. It’s so exciting to see them being worn on the red carpets, on runways, and everywhere in-between. 😉
If you are thinking, "How on Earth do I incorporate a tutu into my own wardrobe?, my darling, it’s easier than you think! Let’s get down to some tutu-fun ideas, ready for fashion inspiration…
- You can totally dress a tutu up with a sparkly top for a glamorous night out. And it’s fun, as you don't need to worry about heels; a pair of cute flat shoes looks perfectly chic! 💖
- Layer a plain top and cardigan with a tutu over jeans for a playful yet stylish casual day look. You’ll feel fab without feeling overly fancy. 😊
So don't be shy, get out there and twirl! Be the girl, or boy, in the tutu! It's all about embracing the beauty and playful joy that comes with wearing one. The world needs more tutus - make it your mission, darling!
P.S. Follow me on social media to keep up with my #TutuTuesday posts and travels. I can't wait to see your tutu-rific outfits! 💕
