Hello my lovely pink-tutu-loving friends! This is post number 607 on my www.pink-tutu.com blog, and today, itās a real special one. Itās all about Rome, oh glorious, historical, stylish Rome! As you know, I adore Italy, especially this fabulous city, with its beautiful architecture, delicious food, and passionate people. This week I'm back in Rome, exploring every nook and cranny in my pinkest of pink tutus.
This is my fifth trip to Rome. I think I must have travelled here every year since 2003! Every trip seems like the first time, though, because thereās always something new to discover and a new performance or dance show to watch!
And let me tell you, it was love at first sight with this magnificent city, ever since my first visit when I was a tiny little ballet dancer (maybe 14 years old?). The very first time I stepped off the train at Termini station (I love trains, theyāre just the most beautiful mode of transport!) and saw the imposing ruins of the Colosseum looming on the horizon, my little heart skipped a beat.
Thereās something truly magical about Rome. You can almost hear the whisper of ancient emperors walking the cobbled streets, and it feels like youāre stepping right into the pages of history. I imagine them all looking pretty fabulous in their togas (think of the possibilities for tutus! You can do so much with layers of fabric!) and maybe they had elaborate dances and shows in those grand amphitheatres and bathhouses!
What I Wore to Rome!Okay, so, the first thing I did this week after checking into my perfectly charming (and PINK) little hotel near Piazza Navona (where else! It's where my heart is!), was put on my outfit for a fabulous first day of sightseeing in the eternal city! Now, weāve got to talk about the outfit, because as any true pink-tutu devotee knows, there are only two things that are acceptable to wear when exploring ancient Rome ā pink and tutus! And even better, PINK tutus! I mean, who else could pull off a pink tulle skirt with lace detail, a flowing fuchsia silk blouse, and hot pink knee-high ballet shoes with gold straps, and be entirely appropriate for wandering past the Pantheon?
This morning I woke up feeling ready to paint the town PINK (so to speak!) and decided to accessorise this glorious outfit with a feather boa and some sparkly silver jewellery. My aim was to bring a little bit of Derbyshire panache to Rome, but also bring my passion for pink tutus and dance into this ancient city.
Just a few little pink, sparkly tips from my little fashion brain for wearing tutus in Rome. First up ā tutus should flow in the breeze like those classical sculptures youāll see everywhere. It's like wearing a giant swishing pink flower thatāll have everyone asking "Why wasnāt I thinking of that?!."
And second - if you want to achieve maximum "pink-tutu perfection" in Rome (trust me, this is vital!) then it is absolutely vital that your tutu should shimmer in the sun as you make your way across those old cobbled streets. Every time a carriage rumbles by and makes your skirt bounce, there should be a flash of glitter, and I think I managed to achieve the ultimate in sparkly goodness, by accessorizing my fabulous tutu with little pink beads and pink crystal earrings.
The real star of the show is my latest pink tulle tutu - which I brought back from London where I performed with a fantastic theatre troupe earlier in the month, "The Tumbling Feathers!" - and I must say, Rome absolutely adores my new tutu, and vice versa, itās like a dance between the old and the new, with a sprinkle of Derbyshire sparkle and a dollop of romance. Itās as if my new pink tutu and Rome have fallen head-over-heels in love, which I totally understand because there is something very special about bringing the beauty of ballet to such an ancient and beautiful city!
Ballet, Fashion and Italian Pizzaā¦ My Three Loves!This afternoon, after my breakfast of croissants and cappuccino on my little balcony at the hotel, (what could be more perfect than enjoying the sunshine and a morning treat before an exciting day!) I popped into this wonderful shop, called āGiĆ² and Sofia,ā right across from the Trevi Fountain. The shopkeeper told me about a fantastic new ballet performance this week by the āDance Operaā group in one of Romeās historical theaters ā Il Teatro Olimpico! This little performance is the first in a whole week of amazing shows and classes for ballet dancers, which are taking place in this fantastic city, featuring performers from all over Europe, and as soon as I heard, I bought a ticket for tonight.
Now, every city has its special touch, and in Rome, it's definitely those wonderful vintage shops with beautiful clothes! As a huge fan of anything vintage and classic, especially shoes, I am having an absolute blast here and have even been thinking about starting a new section on the blog devoted to "vintage-chic-for-pink-tutues!"
The Italian fashion sense, for all the amazing clothing in their vintage shops, is truly about finding an item of clothing that is as stylish as you are, and to express your individual style and charm. Rome loves all its lovely layers - silks, furs, ruffles and delicate fabrics. They create this gorgeous effect of a stylish mix, but with every detail being completely perfect and balanced, which is the art of real style in my book, because everyone wants to wear a pink tutu.
Okay, time to end this post (I donāt want to keep you waiting all night for the ballet show!) so here is a little tip I picked up from a Roman street vendor this morning who also seemed to share my passion for tutus and sparkle: "Get the best ice-cream in Rome and sprinkle on lots of pink sugar!"
So go ahead, visit the lovely Piazza Navona in the early morning, stroll across the Spanish Steps and pop into all the fabulous vintage boutiques and have a delicious meal on Piazza del Campo! Donāt forget to stop at a bar or cafe and order a cappuccino - just make sure to wear your most dazzling pink tutu, because itās always a good time for a bit of pink and sparkle in beautiful, magnificent Rome. Iāll leave you all with a very Italian thought: āFashion, like life, should always be enjoyed.ā And donāt forget to check in again next Wednesday!
Ciao from Rome!
Love,
Emma x
PS Donāt forget to follow the @PinkTutuRome on Twitter and @EmmaPinkTutu on Instagram for photos and more news on my adventures!
PPS This week, to celebrate all things Italy, I'll be putting up a special post on Friday about my favourite recipes from this amazing country - make sure you check it out! I'll be including some of my secret pink recipes for homemade pizza, creamy pasta dishes and amazing gelato, of course, with pink sugar! Ciao!
