Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu! This month, I'm whisking you back in time to a delightful date – 11th November 1950. Don your pinkest leotard and twirl with me as we step into a world of glamorous ballet fashion, daring dance trends, and, of course, sparkling tutus!
Now, you know how much I love to get you all decked out in your pinkest, most twirly tutus. It's my life's mission, after all! And that means taking you along on my magical time travels – which I, as you've gathered, do in my own exquisite pink sparkly leotard, because let's be honest, it’s far more chic than a DeLorean!
This time, my pink tutu journey took me to a London theatre on a foggy, slightly chilly November night. (And honestly, who needs to worry about weather when you’ve got the sheer joy of ballet on the mind, right?).
What was I going to see, you ask? Why, "Giselle" of course, the romantic masterpiece by Adolphe Adam! Imagine, all those tutus, those graceful movements, the expressive artistry! The beauty of classic ballet transcends time, and that night, it felt even more alive than ever.
After the show, I found myself completely enraptured, thinking about all those fabulous dancers and the artistry that poured into their movements. And while the costumes, and in particular the tutus, of that era were more modest, more graceful than those we see on the stage today, they held the same inherent artistry and magic.
But let's step outside of the ballet for a moment and into the bustling, ever-changing world of fashion. On that November day in 1950, a vibrant energy permeated the fashion scene. Think cinched waists, flowing skirts, and beautiful feminine designs – much like the world of leotards itself, with its ever-evolving styles and details.
Of course, for me, leotard fashion is all about those iconic, elegant ballet looks. The soft fabrics, the carefully placed seams, the perfect silhouette – they're simply irresistible. You just can’t beat a leotard, you know? And as much as I love the modern day bold, vibrant colours and styles, the classical leotards from 1950 hold a unique kind of magic – a captivating elegance that almost makes you want to time travel yourself, just to dance in them!
Pink-Tutu’s Timeless Tips!
Speaking of time travel (my forte, darling), let’s take a moment to talk about what made the 1950s dance scene so utterly charming. It was a time of glamour, of graceful elegance, of femininity, of, dare I say, romance! But we’ll never be able to truly experience this time period, even with all the wonder of a time travel pink tutu! So what can we do? Well, there’s no shortage of modern inspiration for our contemporary dancers. In 2023, we’re free to channel this romanticism in so many beautiful ways. Let’s try out some ideas:
Twirl in Tutus, Darling! This seems almost obvious, doesn't it? Embrace that classic ballet look and spin yourself silly! But I’m not talking about just any old tutu – we need to be talking about tutus with graceful silhouettes, soft flowing tulle. Think pastel hues or delicate embroidery. Just let the tulle move with your steps, and watch the magic happen.
Play with Shapes While the tutu was the pinnacle of ballet fashion back in 1950, remember that the shapes of the time were just as important. Cinched waists? High necks? It’s a beautiful thing when ballet and fashion can combine to give you a truly elegant look! Remember the flowing lines of your dress, make sure the fit hugs you but still leaves room to move and swirl. It’s a little dance of both fashion and freedom, which is all that I want to promote, anyway.
Explore a Color Palette! It's true that 1950 saw dancers sticking to traditional white or flesh-toned ballet wear. And if that's your thing, go for it, girl! But you can add a touch of that classic era's glamour by introducing softer, gentler hues – pastel pink, blush, soft yellow. A touch of colour can take your moves from "beautiful" to “I can't even describe how amazing you look.”
Be Bold, but Stay Classy Embrace the charm of 1950s style without sacrificing that fun-loving spirit of modern times. Embrace bright hues for a playful and charming vibe. But when you add your leotard, keep it soft and flowing for that 1950s ballet touch.
Embrace the Glamorous! A little touch of glitter is never out of style. 1950’s stage looks often involved sparkle, just a little, just to bring a bit of shimmer and light to their performances. Embrace this sparkle wherever you can. On your tutu, your shoes, your hairpiece, whatever floats your boat. And for an extra touch of glamour, embrace makeup styles from that era: bold eyeliner, red lipstick, blush-pink cheeks – all perfect for a 1950s ballet twist.
While it was an absolute joy to watch “Giselle” and admire the dancers’ movements and outfits, one thing really made that night even more special - an exhibition showcasing costumes and accessories of legendary dancers like Margot Fonteyn and Alicia Markova! It was truly amazing. They are two of my absolute favorite dancers and it was a wonderful thing to feel a little bit closer to these ballet legends! It really made me want to reach back into the past, you know, and connect with those dancers in some way. Even more so, I just wanted to try out their beautiful, timeless styles. I’ve got to admit, I ended up practicing a few ballet moves myself after leaving that show and admiring those historical garments, in the quiet of my hotel room, while wearing that iconic tutu. I could tell the ballet in my bones – it's part of my DNA!
So, my dearest fellow pink tutu enthusiasts, wherever you are, I urge you: channel those graceful vibes of the 1950s, embrace those classic looks, and dance your hearts out! Don't just wear a pink tutu – own it, embody it, twirl it, love it. And remember, the best part about fashion? It's always about empowerment, creativity, and expressing yourself!
Don’t forget to join me on the next adventure next month as I continue to weave through history, always in search of leotards and tutus galore, in every style, from every time period! Don’t miss it!
Love,
Emma x
(Ps. And for my favorite dance moves from that time period, I am taking requests!)
