Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back again with another dose of #TutuTuesday! I've just hopped off the Orient Express – those vintage carriages are practically made for twirling in a tutu – and landed smack-dab in the middle of bustling, beautiful New York City! What better place to celebrate the magic of ballet tutus, wouldn't you say?
Now, on this magnificent Tuesday, the 17th of November 2020, you'd be forgiven for thinking all the tutus in the world were in New York City too! There's a whole whirlwind of ballerinas here for Dance Week, and you can't move without bumping into a magnificent, twirling dream of tulle and tulle alone. Honestly, the sheer amount of gorgeous tulle – especially in vibrant pinks, just my style – is enough to make a ballerina weak at the knees!
But don't think for a moment that this Tutu Tuesday is all about contemporary creations, lovelies. Oh no! We're taking a trip back in time – the best kind of time travel, in my humble opinion!
A Peek into the Tutu's Past
You wouldn't believe it, but before the beautiful and flowing tutu we know and love today, ballet dancers weren't exactly free to frolic!
Can you picture it? Dancers, dressed in tight-fitting, floor-length skirts, tripping and tumbling all over the stage. Oh, the horror! Honestly, it’s a wonder they managed to dance at all, much less enchant the audiences!
This is the way ballet was performed in the 17th and 18th centuries – and even though the clothing looked beautiful, it was practically glued to their bodies, preventing any graceful leaps or elegant turns. Can you imagine trying to do a jeté in those things? Just the thought makes my ankles ache!
Well, darling, a brilliant choreographer named Marius Petipa (yes, you should learn his name! He practically revolutionised ballet!) was simply not having it. He decided that ballet should be more fluid, more exciting, more twirl-tastic! He wanted the audience to see the movements, not just imagine them through a thick curtain of fabric.
So what did he do? He introduced the tutu! He ditched the heavy skirts for lighter, shorter layers of tulle – the perfect fabric to show off graceful movement and those gorgeous ballet leaps we all love!
Just imagine what the 1840s must have been like – imagine a world where ballet dancers suddenly began dancing like angels! With every twirl, with every leap, with every step, they showed off the beautiful ballet line in all its glory. It must have been nothing short of magical!
It wasn't just the shape of the tutu that changed, darling. The colours and embellishments added a whole new dimension of loveliness. We’re talking silk, satin, and shimmering embroidery that would put even the most luxurious ball gowns to shame!
Of course, like all good trends, the tutu evolved over time, growing shorter and fuller as we got closer to the 20th century. But throughout it all, the tutu stayed true to its purpose: to showcase the grace, beauty, and elegance of ballet in all its glory!
The Tutu: It's Not Just for Ballerinas!
Now, my lovelies, you wouldn’t believe it, but the humble tutu has made its way far beyond the hallowed halls of ballet! Nowadays, it’s seen everywhere, from chic cocktail parties to festivals – even on the red carpet!
Personally, I think this is wonderful! Who wouldn’t want to twirl and frolic in a beautiful tutu? It’s the perfect way to add a touch of glamour to any outfit!
Just picture this: A beautiful, vibrant pink tutu layered over a crisp white shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans. Add a touch of sparkle with some glittering accessories, and you’re good to go, darlings! That’s my kind of style!
Tutu Shopping!
Of course, I can’t talk about tutus without mentioning the wonderful world of shopping. Oh, my darlings! You know me – I love browsing the boutiques, finding that perfect, oh-so-divine tutu.
Here in New York City, there are countless places where you can find the perfect tutu, and I just have to tell you all about them!
- The Dancewear Boutique: This one is right on Broadway, darlings, practically hidden in plain sight! Don’t be fooled by the “Dancewear” bit - they’ve got everything a girl needs for her inner ballerina! This place is like a tutu wonderland, overflowing with the softest, prettiest tulle imaginable.
- The Met: If you’re looking for something a little bit special, lovelies, The Met is the place to go! Their costume department houses some of the most breathtaking, history-making tutus you’ll ever see! Just gazing upon them makes my heart flutter like a hummingbird in flight!
Of course, for my own personal style, I prefer finding a one-of-a-kind piece – nothing too flashy, darling, just simple and elegant. Just a few soft layers of pink tulle, floating and twirling around me, just a simple, classic design – that’s the tutu of my dreams.
So What’s Next?
Well, darlings, I must be on my way! Tomorrow I’m taking the train to London, where I have a big performance planned! London is a ballerina's dream, darling. Just picture me, spinning and swirling on the West End stage – the lights, the costumes, the audience - pure magic!
Oh, and before I forget! Remember to join me next Tuesday, the 24th of November 2020, for another instalment of Tutu Tuesday. I’m planning a special post dedicated to some of my favourite ballerinas – some real pioneers of the tutu! You won’t want to miss it!
Until then, keep those tutus twirling, darlings, and always remember, life is best lived in a beautiful, billowing tutu!
Love,
Emma x
