Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu time traveller, and it's time for another adventure! This month, Magic Meg and I are whisking you back to the Victorian era! The year is 1866, and believe me, darling, there’s no shortage of glamour and ballet going on in London town.
My pink tutu twirled a little more excitedly this month as we made the jump – November in 1866! We’ve always loved the Victorian period – those lavish ballrooms, the beautiful costumes, the history! Imagine dancing under a chandelier, twirling with the most handsome gentlemen in your beautiful ballgown.
The Ballet World
This month's date saw a real treat – the debut of a beautiful new ballet at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, The Sylphide. I must admit, I can never resist a good fairytale, and this one tells the tale of a beautiful Sylph who steals a young man's heart. It’s one for the romantic at heart, that’s for sure!
Now, wouldn’t it be fun if I could tell you all about the costumes, the dancers, and the overall buzz around town. But darling, we've a real problem…
Unfortunately, due to the sheer brilliance of The Sylphide’s success, news about other performances kind of gets lost in the hype. We need a good ol' fashioned search through old newspapers, or maybe we’ll even pop into the Royal Opera House Library for a bit of research. Maybe I’ll be able to dig up a programme or some gossip from the day. If I do, I'll be sure to pop it onto the blog in a bonus post later, my dears.
The London Scene
Oh, but the atmosphere! You’d never believe the excitement buzzing around London this November. The excitement is truly palpable as the first ever Crystal Palace Horse Show, featuring, well, horses – magnificent shires, cobblers, even Arabs – take centre stage! If this doesn’t shout fashion darling, I don't know what does. This is an event not to be missed for the fashionable observer.
Victorian Fashion & Pink
Fashion in 1866 is a truly delightful blend of styles – romantic and dramatic, full of beautiful details and sumptuous fabrics. Bustles and hoop skirts are making a statement and giving everyone the most fabulous silhouette, and bonnets are all the rage, decorated with beautiful flowers, ribbons, and even feathers. I'm dreaming of adding a Victorian bonnet to my ballet wardrobe!
We mustn’t forget our ballet essentials. Of course, our tutus are absolutely necessary. The Victorians certainly didn’t shy away from vibrant colours, and I’m sure a good pink tutu would make quite the splash. With all that ruched fabric on display, why not bring the focus back to that beautiful pink?
Speaking of pink, my dear readers, we have to discuss what I believe is the perfect accessory – parasols. Now, I’m all for a splash of colour and the perfect parasol would certainly provide the most dramatic accent for your outfit. Just picture this: you're all dolled up in a fantastic gown, your hair in a delightful updo, and a pink parasol shielding you from the sun (and the curious stares) while you stroll along. Isn't that an image?
Magic Meg & My Pink Tutu Collection
And wouldn’t you know it, dear readers? Magic Meg has discovered some absolutely fantastic additions for my pink tutu collection – a beautiful set of pink satin ballet shoes from the Royal Opera House. The velvet detailing and little silk bows make them even more delightful – truly a gift from the past. Magic Meg’s back was a little achy afterwards, but the smile on her face (if horses could smile!) certainly made it all worth it.
Of course, my rucksack is bursting at the seams. I've filled it with stories about the ballerinas who graced the stage this year, as well as some truly enchanting trinkets and a fascinating selection of old newspaper clippings. The detail on the programmes, my darlings, is exquisite. The Victorian Era is such a feast for the eyes!
Back To The Future!
So, there you have it, my dears – a delightful glimpse into the world of 11th November 1866! Now I must dash, as Magic Meg is already whinnying, ready to transport us back to the 21st century. I’m sure you can't wait to see my latest collection from this era – so keep checking back to pink-tutu.com for more stories, and please do join me in celebrating the love for pink tutus and ballet history. Don't forget, darling, life is too short to not wear pink!
