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#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1838-01-02

Tutu Tuesday: #314 - A Whirl Through 1838! 🩰🌸

Hello darlings! Emma here, back for another exciting Tutu Tuesday from my time travelling adventures! It's freezing cold here in the snowy Théâtre de l'Opéra Garnier, the Paris Opera house, where we're about to dive into a beautiful Tutu History moment from 1838 - the year The Sleeping Beauty got its start. As always, grab a warm cuppa, a sparkly pink bun (or whatever delectable confection delights you), and settle in for a whirl of Parisian glamour and a touch of tutu magic.

Oh, the romance of the mid-1830s! The Paris I’m seeing right now is a veritable explosion of theatre, music, and oh, such fashion! We've all heard about Le Romantic movement in literature, but here in Paris, it's the ballroom and the stage where romance truly twirls.

And as any fashionista knows, romance means tulle. I'm surrounded by shimmering layers of soft, billowy pink. This era of fashion embraces all things fluffy and feminine, and I confess, darling, I wouldn't want it any other way! The 1830s embraced wide-sleeved blouses, boned bodices, and of course, layers upon layers of billowing tulle skirts. This romantic era loved the billow and flow, making tutus so naturally fitting for the dance scene.

I'm even wearing a little pink tulle wonder myself! This darling number, inspired by my visit to the Palais Royal in 1838 , boasts an incredibly fine silk and lace-trimmed petticoat. Above this lies a sheer veil of layers of tulle. It's a dance between structured and soft, which feels like such a perfect reflection of the art and emotions that defined this decade.

On the 1st January 1838, it was time for ballet! This being France, darling, every single night was an excuse for a spectacular at the Opera House. But this night was a bit special: it saw a reworking of Giselle, an enchanting two-act story about a village girl whose love for a nobleman proves to be a bittersweet tragedy. I know, dramatic, yes? But that’s ballet, darlings! It always pulls at the heartstrings. The whole stage was simply shimmering!

Think billowing white dresses with layers and layers of what we would call today tutu! The dancing was magical. Even with its tragedy, the whole show oozed romantic charm, and it just makes my heart swoon.

Imagine the sheer wonder of these beautiful ballerinas gliding through their pas de deux, a perfect blend of graceful movements and emotions. There's just something about the movement, the soft swishes and twirls. It's such a powerful representation of the 1830s! And how do these brilliant dresses help tell this romantic story? The tulle does it all!

Oh! This is exciting, my lovelies! Did I tell you that Giselle, the ballet that premiered that day, is also a part of The Sleeping Beauty saga! Oh! This is too exciting!!

I don't want to give too much away (I don’t want to spoil the wonder of the story!). You will have to experience it for yourself and, hopefully, come back here next Tutu Tuesday for my next adventure.

Of course, this was also long before ballet classes became part of everyone’s weekly routine, but trust me, my lovelies, that was just around the corner. Dance became so accessible to every young girl, thanks to The Romantic Period, making it an essential part of life!

Here’s the fascinating thing, darlings! I saw the dancers in Giselle, wearing layers of tulle to actually mimic the long and wide skirts of the women of the time! It was pure magic, seeing them sweep across the stage, so graceful. But don’t think these skirts were anything like what we know today! They were much wider, more flamboyant - more extra, as I like to say!

This era’s fashion celebrated the art of layering. Think bodices, corsages, and all sorts of lovely embellishments. I saw some fantastically elaborate ribbons *used as trimmings for skirts and sleeves - *almost like a little taste of modern tutus. Think layers, ruffles, and a beautiful, graceful silhouette to showcase this most romantic era!

Now, as much as I love these beautiful outfits, there was a practical side! The dancing, although delicate, could become very hot and sweaty and required lots of effort. This meant these tulle skirts were a bit of a chore to handle and to dance in! What do you think?! Just imagine the heat of the theatre, the stress on your bodice - all under a big tutu-like creation, and all with the perfect makeup!

What's so fascinating to me is how these ideas for ballet were forming into a distinct style, even back then. The movement was getting even more refined! Imagine a future where these simple and airy tutus, with more structure and a much tighter waistline, could evolve into something truly breathtaking! I think you and I both can just see it!

And don’t think for a minute, dearies, that men’s attire didn’t catch up to the movement in this era. Think: velvet waistcoats with embroidery, velvet jackets and coats, silk shirts, and all sorts of decadent adornment. It’s simply too perfect to imagine how *romantic it all really was!

And while all the men look absolutely dashing and perfect for dancing around, they still wear tight trousers, unlike their ballerinas.

The whole story revolved around* * these women, dancing and creating a performance filled with *passion and beauty. I just have to know, what did the women think?! Were they *completely enchanted with this new fashion? How did they manage those big skirts *in the heat? *Why were the women, with their new outfits, the most popular subject in paintings in the 1830s? *

All these intriguing questions lead to one final, simple, and yet ever-so-essential thought! This whole look and vibe were about something! The whole look just shouted: Romance, love, and tutus! And, I just had to ask myself, is that something to aspire to, or what!?

I’m already thinking of ways I can recreate some of this Parisian flair. Imagine those long and wide skirts with layers upon layers of tulle, perfectly fitted to flow with every pas de bourrée ! Maybe it will inspire *some fun looks for my next Tutu Tuesday video? *

But that's a thought for another day, my loves! Until then, let's remember these moments, the history of the tutu, and how far ballet has come, all starting from this beautiful period!

Keep dancing, keep shining, and stay tuned for my next Tutu Tuesday post. I've already got my eye on a fabulously fashionable time trip next week - just you wait and see!

Ciao for now,

Emma 💕

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1838-01-02