Hello my lovely tutu-loving readers! It's Emma here, your resident tutu historian and proud Derbyshire lass. I'm absolutely thrilled to be back with you all for another fabulous #TutuTuesday. Today, we're taking a little trip back in time to the year 1837 – the year Queen Victoria took the throne, and a year that marked a significant moment in ballet tutu history, if you can believe it!
Now, picture it: cobbled streets of London, gas lamps casting their flickering glow upon the evening crowd, and elegant carriages pulling up to the doors of the grand opera house. This was the era of romantic ballet, an era that demanded graceful movement and expressive gestures. The dancers, with their light and airy leaps, were captivating audiences all across Europe. And believe me, darling, the tutus they were wearing were as breathtaking as the dances themselves!
Let’s delve into this amazing historical fashion moment, shall we? You know me and my penchant for all things pink and tutu, but you'll be delighted to discover how tutus of this period were anything but! Think layers upon layers of tulle – it was a symphony of fabric. And we're talking real real tulle here. Not the flimsy stuff we find today, but a more robust, heavier fabric that held its shape. It was all about creating a magnificent cloud-like shape. I’ve seen some of the old tutus at ballet museums and you’d never believe the amount of fabric they used. No skimping back then!
A key detail that makes this time period unique is that no one was really thinking about tutu length. There wasn't really a set rule. Sometimes, the dancers’ legs would be completely concealed, but in other performances, they might wear shorter versions, just skimming their knees. The length varied depending on the choreographer and the demands of the dance. What really mattered was the way the tulle was styled. It could be puffed up around the hips, creating a dramatic silhouette or be left flowing softly for a more ethereal look.
Now, for the truly exciting bit, we're not just talking about colour white, dear readers. No! This was an era where vibrant colours took centre stage, including shades like a soft butter yellow, calming sea green and delicate pastel pink, adding an enchanting dimension to the visual spectacle of the ballet. Imagine those colours swirling on stage, in the dim light of the opera house. A truly magnificent sight!
As for accessories? It wouldn’t be 1837 without tiaras and jewels. Not the dramatic kind we see today, but smaller, daintier jewels, perfectly placed to complement the simple beauty of the tutu.
So, why don't we hop on the time machine (maybe I'll use a London steam train!) and visit 1837 for a little ballet immersion? Just think about how different the dancing and the fashion must have felt, so utterly unique and yet undeniably elegant!
Remember, every tutu, no matter the year, tells a story.
Let’s raise a toast to the romantic ballerinas, with their majestic tutus and grace, who brought joy and enchantment to the world of dance! Now, on that note, let me remind you that, like every Tuesday, today is your chance to wear a pink tutu. Don’t hold back - celebrate the sheer beauty of tutus! Share your photos with us using the hashtag #TutuTuesday, and maybe, just maybe, I'll be whisked off to Derbyshire to join you for tea and a tutu fitting.
Keep twirling!
Emma,
Pink Tutu Historian, Extraordinaire!
www.pink-tutu.com
