Hello darlings! Emma here, and I'm positively thrilled to be writing to you from the magical city of Prague! The cobbled streets, the breathtaking architecture, the delicious pastries, the incredible history...it's all so incredibly charming and absolutely screams "pink tutu"! (Speaking of which, my gorgeous, shimmering pink tutu is currently taking pride of place in my hotel room, where it's hanging alongside my new Czech crystal earrings – more on those later!)
This week, I'm exploring the Czech Republic's capital for the second day running. Yesterday, after a whirlwind train journey through the enchanting countryside, I found myself checking into a hotel with views of the majestic Prague Castle – quite literally, swoon! It’s everything a princess could ever dream of! The whole city felt like stepping straight into a fairy tale. The vibrant colours of the houses, the twinkle of the lights reflecting off the Vltava River...it was pure magic.
Oh, and my dear lovelies, the shopping here is absolutely incredible! I haven't even finished browsing all the boutiques and vintage stores, and already my suitcase is bursting with fabulous finds. I snagged a beautiful pink silk scarf with delicate flower motifs – so very Prague! - and I even found an incredible vintage ballerina costume, a real head-turner! (Let's just say that the tutu was beyond divine – a stunningly-structured tulle, so delicate and voluminous.)
Of course, I can’t come to Prague without experiencing the incredible world of Czech ballet! And today, my dears, I'm absolutely thrilled to be heading to the Prague National Theatre to see a performance of The Nutcracker! This beloved classic is always so full of magic and charm. I can hardly wait to see how Prague’s ballet dancers interpret this timeless tale! Just imagine: Tchaikovsky's enchanting music, beautiful tutus, and stunning costumes! This performance promises to be simply delightful.
But first, I must tell you about my own tutu adventures today. Before the performance, I decided to treat myself to a truly fabulous experience - a pink tutu-clad tour of Prague's hidden alleyways!
The moment I arrived, the alleyways felt like they'd been plucked straight out of a classic fairytale, a magical, secret world all to myself. The tour guide, a sweet lady with the kindest eyes, was the perfect combination of historian and story-teller! She led me past forgotten cobblestone courtyards and revealed stories of the past, tales of artists and royalty, and whispered about secret rendezvous.
Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, are you sure you were comfortable in a tutu while walking around these hidden pathways? Didn't you feel self-conscious?" My dear lovelies, let me tell you, I owned that pink tutu! I felt like a beautiful princess in her own fairy tale world, and everyone I met beamed and smiled - children waved excitedly, tourists took photos (I posed, of course, a twinkle in my eye!), and locals greeted me warmly with "Dobrý den" (good day) and "Pěkné tutu!" (Lovely tutu!).
And the most fantastic part of my experience, dears, was how it brought a little bit of whimsy and joy to everyone's day. You know me – a true champion of pink tutus – I believe that everyone has a bit of a ballerina inside, just waiting to be unleashed!
Tomorrow, I'll be taking a lovely pony ride through Prague’s city parks. I hear there are hidden pathways and magnificent views from the hilltops! I can hardly wait to feel the fresh air on my face and share the beauty of Prague with my new pony companion! But before I gallop away on my adventures, I simply had to share with you all this enchanting Prague gem – Tutu History – just imagine:
Tutu-licious: A Brief History of the Ballet Skirt!
Now, let’s travel back in time and discover the wonderful history of the ballet skirt, also known as a tutu.
Before tutus came to be, female dancers danced in long, elaborate skirts – not exactly a look conducive to grand leaps and fouettés, was it?
However, during the 1800s, the tutu as we know it evolved, allowing ballerinas to move more freely and showcase their exquisite skills. Marie Taglioni, the epitome of grace, made ballet history when she performed in La Sylphide, wearing a soft, billowing white tutu – a far cry from the bulky gowns of previous years. The short, wispy skirts she wore were called ‘Romantic’ tutus. They were delicate, allowing dancers to create airy, whimsical movements.
As time went on, tutus evolved into new and wondrous styles – we see these now as “classical”, or “bell shaped” tutus, with their stiffened layers. Their designs emphasised a dancer’s every movement, from the soaring arabesques to the intricate turns of the corps de ballet.
You know, I just love the symbolism behind the tutu – its power to inspire beauty, grace and elegance. It’s so inspiring to see how the evolution of the tutu reflects the changing ideals of dance. It truly represents a journey towards expressing freedom of movement and artistry!
I hope this peek into the world of the tutu has inspired you to put on a pink one! I’ve just spotted another wonderful shop overflowing with vintage costumes – so, if you'll excuse me, I need to go on a little tutu treasure hunt. And yes, I’ll wear a pink tutu the whole way through! I may even stop for a “Tutu Tea Time” and indulge in some delicious cake – how absolutely delightful, would you agree?
Until next Wednesday, darlings, Emma x
Pink-Tutu.com
I hope you enjoyed Emma’s blog post. What are your favourite pink things? Let me know in the comments below. And, remember to keep an eye out for future blog posts, each Wednesday on Pink-Tutu.com!
