Hello darlings, and welcome back to my humble blog, www.pink-tutu.com! Today, as always, we’re travelling through time in search of those lovely, twirly ballet tutus, for our #TutuTuesday journey!
This week, my time machine has whisked me all the way back to the 20th of June 1837, and my, what a thrilling time to be alive! A new Queen reigns, fashion is entering a period of extravagance, and while tutus may not be quite as popular as they will be in later decades, let me tell you, the whispers of ballet and graceful dance are definitely in the air!
My trusty notebook, which I always carry with me in case of a time travel emergency, tells me that today, back in the year of our Lord 1837, Queen Victoria took the throne. Can you imagine?! To be Queen at the age of 18? Now that's a strong and stylish woman.
But of course, when we talk of a new reign, we must speak of fashion. This was a time when fashion was undergoing a truly magnificent transformation! With Queen Victoria embracing simpler designs, those frills and fussiness from the past decade faded into the sunset, and a new silhouette emerged: the romantic.
Ladies of the day, think high-waisted, flowing dresses made of exquisite fabrics like silks, muslins and wools – and in beautiful, delicate pastels! Think powder pinks, calming blues, and elegant greys, all colours which look fabulous with the gorgeous lace and ribbons of the day.
But back to tutus…
Well, it is true, the kind of fluffy tutu we love so much today was still a few years away! Back then, the tutus were simpler – the length wouldn’t be much different from the “romantique” dress which dominated the fashion scene at this time. It wouldn't have been until a bit later that we would see those seriously short, fluffy skirts - but it’s fun to imagine those ballerinas waltzing across the stage in their simpler but nonetheless enchanting tutus, don’t you think?
Of course, we’ll need a beautiful outfit to complement my visit to this particular moment in time – and it will definitely be pink, darling! Imagine it – a long, flowing dress in a shade of pale pink that would make the blossoms in the gardens blush. A ruffle at the shoulders, and a gentle V-neck at the bust – something both classic and very romantic. The skirt, well, a touch shorter than a proper ballroom gown to allow for a little gentle twirl around the bustling London streets. Why not, it is after all, London where I am. The streets are alive with excitement at this moment! A few delicate layers of lace around the bodice, perhaps a matching bonnet and gloves – perfect!
And of course, we need a special accessory! A little pink beaded purse filled with everything a time-traveling ballerina could need – a little notebook, a miniature telescope for sneaking peeks at those exciting performances, and the most important item – my own little personal compact, of course! After all, no travelling ballerina wants to be caught out without perfect pink lips.
With all that sorted, let’s step out onto the streets! The excitement in the air is electrifying! Everyone seems eager for this new era to begin. My, what a busy place this London is – shops are overflowing with gorgeous fabrics and fashionable dresses! I’ll make sure I take the opportunity to find some beautiful, pink fabric for a future project. Perhaps a stunning pink ball gown? Who knows? The inspiration is limitless.
Oh! And before we go, we must take a trip to the Theatre! It is, after all, the theatre where we can see ballet performances! I heard of Marie Taglioni, the celebrated ballerina who dances with exquisite grace! Just imagine seeing her on stage! How utterly captivating. I have been following her career from my own timeline, through all sorts of fascinating newspaper articles, letters, and travelogues. What an inspiration she is to any dancer! She truly inspires the ballet of the time, with her movements flowing with ease and such light weight. A truly amazing dancer who captures the movement in a light way that everyone talks about!
As for today’s travel, well, nothing can quite match the comfort and glamour of a railway carriage. The steam engine's hiss, the carriage’s gentle rocking motion... I always find myself humming along with the rhythm of the wheels! It’s truly the perfect way to experience the spirit of the age!
We shall explore this enchanting time further! Until next week darlings! Happy Twirling! 💖🩰
