Post #10079
Hiya lovely lot, and welcome back to Pink Tutu for another Tutu Tuesday! It's 25th February 2025 and you wouldn't believe what happened this week - my time machine got a little over enthusiastic with its 'shuffle' setting and I found myself hurtling through the decades in a very… shall we say exciting manner.
But let me rewind - it's Tuesday, so that means one thing - Ballet Tutu History! And today we're going to take a peek at tutus, and their connection to the ever changing styles of the fashion world.
Paris!
Oh la la! This week, the time machine deposited me straight in the heart of Paris. You'd think I'd be at the Eiffel Tower, but no, I found myself at The Opera Garnier! Paris is simply teeming with tutus! Everywhere you look - ballet classes, performances, and even on the fashion-conscious Parisians - it's all tutus, tutus, tutus!
(Speaking of the Paris fashionistas, let's talk shopping! My trip wouldn't be complete without a jaunt to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps for a little retail therapy - think, ballet-inspired fashion pieces, shimmering fabrics, and maybe just a new tutu or two... Oh, it's a wonderful world!)
(Before we dive back into our journey through time, did you know that *25th February 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of *Pink Tutu? A huge thank you to all of you who've joined me on this journey - you're simply the best!** )
(Right, let's get back to the history! My whirlwind tour brought me to... *( drum roll! )... The early 1900s, a time of incredible change! Fashion was shifting from the stiff corsets of the Victorian era to the free-flowing silhouettes of the *Roaring Twenties, and ballet was right in the thick of it! **
*(Remember those long, swirling skirts, a-line dresses, and beaded flapper styles that epitomized the 1920s? The ballet costumes at that time began to follow suit, as the iconic full-length tutus slowly evolved into the shorter, more playful, and free-flowing tutus we're familiar with today. *
(One of my absolute favourite tutu creations from this era was designed by Coco Chanel, who was an iconic pioneer of fashion who brought simple elegance and comfort into her designs - and yes, she created a stunning black tutu, breaking away from the traditional romantic ballet looks of the time and pushing the boundaries of elegance! It was absolutely breathtaking. Imagine a simple yet elegant black, flowing, soft tulle skirt that whispered as it moved and with some stylishly deconstructed design elements – a modern-day dance with fashion's rules. )
*( Now, back to our journey, as the 1930s swung in, the tutus continued to reflect the shift in the fashion world. From those long skirts, it became even shorter, lighter, and with a little more tumbling, twirling energy! *
(And in the 1940s? Think streamlined, geometric shapes - we saw more geometric forms and movement-focused styles appearing, perfectly capturing the energy of the wartime era. It was during this time that we saw a few revolutionary changes, where ballet costumes went beyond simple tutus. For instance, you’d often see dresses, skirts, and a mix of both in those performances! They began to introduce different styles of tights, sometimes adorned with patterns and stripes!)
(As the 1950s approached, the world got a whole new perspective on tutus with a new wave of color! They had vibrant hues! Bold colour became all the rage as people embraced this " new fashion revolution ". This period brought us those iconic styles - the classic black tulle skirt with the ballerina in a bright, bold pink leotard. This pairing is absolutely iconic and truly reflects how ballet started influencing mainstream fashion. )
( Now, let's take a train ride to the 1960s! What's that? A very stylish pink and blue train? Yes, please! And a little “London Underground feel ” for me to experience! You wouldn’t believe the kind of styles I saw. Think long, flowy skirts, vivid colors and an undeniable air of “Bohemian Chic.”
(But wait a minute! I’m stopping in Paris again, just for a second. It’s a a beautiful summer day, and a gentle, cool breeze is floating in through the open windows, and a woman is dancing in the streets. We see this amazing blend of balletic styles - tutus that would be suitable for dancing on stage - and the everyday fashions - the iconic miniskirts, bold patterns, and a playful spirit. (And we'll let’s not forget those iconic *Mary Quant designs and the "Mod" style! Those bright colors, and sharp, geometric silhouettes! *
(So back on our train - we must not forget our journey into the 1970s! This era is a personal favourite for its iconic disco styles. Remember the shimmer and sparkle that reflected the energy of this dancing-in-the-night era! (Let's bring back the shimmer, the glitter, and the playful spirit of those glamorous discos - tutus that were all about expressing yourself through color, pattern, and movement!)
(Now, who's ready to dance into the 1980s? The 1980s were an interesting mix, a combination of the flamboyant looks from the 70s, with newer trends and some more geometric shapes and bold, brighter colors - imagine this beautiful *tutu in shades of cyan blue with vibrant yellow and hot pink patterns! There were even neon tutus in leotards to complement those vibrant neon outfits.*
*(That reminds me, it's almost 1990s fashion! It was a mix of all the eras gone by. It felt like the 1980s was experiencing a new birth with an emphasis on bright colours, but the early 1990s had a more street and more casual fashion, but that soon gave way to that late 1990s sleek look - with more refined geometric shapes and soft pastel shades . But I'm always looking for an exciting twist, so my favorite tutus were still experiencing a wave of brighter colors while embracing that urban-meets-ballet look that merged that classic dance with more contemporary streetwear vibes. *
*(But before we lose ourselves completely, let's rewind back to 2025! We're back here in our beloved 2025. Time travel is pretty exhilarating if you ask me - I love to explore those past eras, but I wouldn't trade my modern 2025 ballet styles for anything! *
*(The tutus we wear in 2025 are a delightful fusion of all the eras gone by. Think about those iconic silhouettes with some exciting, more contemporary, fashion influences - a perfect blend of tradition with modernity. Think of a beautiful pink, whimsical tutu with a touch of punk with some ruffles and chains for a edgy look! *
**(If I'm going to put on my thinking cap and try to sum up what I think the ballet tutue trend is like in 2025 - it is all about personal style - a beautiful expression of the dancer! And there isn’t a rule! We can create our own style and our own beautiful ballet looks. The freedom is just incredible!)
**(Okay, lovely lot, let's get ready to close off this week's Tutu Tuesday with our usual reminder - that pink is my favourite colour and tutues are always fantastic! And we all have a unique way of expressing ourselves and a chance to add a little bit of twirl and sparkle into our lives!)
Don’t forget to come back next week for more Tutu Tuesday, and we’ll be talking all things fashion, ballet, and, of course, tutues!
Until next time - keep dancing!
P.S don’t forget to come and visit my website at www.pink-tutu.com for more on ballet and my tutu journeys!
