Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your time-traveling ballerina extraordinaire, and today's #TutuTuesday is taking us on a whimsical trip back to the year 1832.
Now, you all know my passion for tutus, right? They're just so... swirls around utterly magical! But you might not know that the tutus we know and love today actually had a bit of a bumpy road to becoming the icon of dance that they are now.
Fast forward to the grand year of 1832 - snap, crackle, pop! – and imagine Paris, a whirlwind of fashion and culture. It was a time when a new, exciting era in dance was dawning: Romantic Ballet! Oh, it was glorious! Gone were the strict, formal movements of the court ballets. Now, it was all about light, ethereal steps, and a whole lot of drama.
But, here's the thing – the dancers were still clad in skirts that were rather heavy and constricting! No flowing, graceful tutus yet. Now, I can't imagine twirling in anything else, can you?
But that would change very soon, you see. It was actually this very date, October 23rd, 1832, that a young Marie Taglioni – oh, the elegance! – stunned the world by dancing "La Sylphide," in, hold your breath... a tutu! Yes, that iconic, short, airy skirt that would forever revolutionize dance and fashion!
Now, don't mistake this for a modern tutu. This beauty was still rather full and layered, a bit like a mini-crinoline, but shorter than those heavy skirts. The effect was dazzling - like a wisp of a fairy, taking flight. I can just imagine the gasp from the audience!
This "sylphide" look, you see, would inspire so many more designs throughout the years, from the fluffy, romantic tutus of the late 19th century, all the way to the daringly streamlined tutus of today. Oh, how I love the evolution of the tutu! It’s like a ballet history lesson just by looking at it.
And speaking of fashion, it’s no secret that Paris in 1832 was an absolute dream. The ladies of fashion embraced a romantic silhouette, with waists cinched and billowing sleeves. Imagine cascading lace and soft, pale colours like baby blue and lavender. Oh la la! It was truly a delicate, airy style. And who knew it would so perfectly foreshadow the grace of the new Romantic Ballet!
It's funny, but I always have this vision in my mind, you see, of the ballet dancers dancing their graceful pirouettes, swishing those delicate, early tutus. It’s a vision that inspires me every time I don my own pink tutu. I can’t imagine how I would have lived without tutus! They truly make me feel like a little bit of magic. And that's how they made audiences feel back then too. It was truly a glorious time for ballet, my darlings.
Now, while we can't exactly wear the 1832 styles today – unless we're aiming for a really unique vintage look wink – you can still channel that delicate Parisian flair by focusing on soft, pastel hues and ethereal silhouettes. Why not go shopping for a sheer top or some lace-edged fabric for your own dance wear? Let's spread that delicate charm!
And since it’s October, let’s not forget about the delicious treats to be found in Paris, from pastries filled with exquisite fruit fillings, to hot chocolate that would melt your worries away – I might even indulge in some decadent pastries in my time travels today! wink
Before we leave this wonderful era, I just have to mention one little detail, darling, and that's the train travel. It's still rather new and a bit wobbly but it's the quickest way to get about. And of course, all of the fashionable ladies are riding the train, and there’s no shortage of gentlemen looking at their exquisite styles! It’s absolutely a joy to watch the Parisian crowd on the platform, from the elegant dresses to the fashionable hats.
And while I wouldn't trade our modern comforts, there’s something so magical about traveling back in time, wouldn’t you agree? We have so much to learn about dance and fashion history – after all, it’s all about how the style of our tutus has evolved through the ages!
Stay tuned next #TutuTuesday for another adventure in the ballet archives. And of course, don’t forget to visit the fabulous www.pink-tutu.com!
Until then, remember, darling, there’s no such thing as too much pink… or tutus!
Emma, signing out.
P.S. Remember to follow me on my ballet adventure on social media using #PinkTutuEmma! Let’s keep this lovely fashion and dance dream alive!
This blog post is No.43 in my Ballet Tutu History series
Disclaimer: The writer in this blog post is fictional and does not represent the author in real life. However, all factual elements about ballet history and the Parisian social scene in 1832 are researched and authentic.
