Hello dears! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday on Pink Tutu! It’s me, your very own time-travelling fashionista, Emma, back from another exciting jaunt through history with a pocketful of tutu secrets.
Today, my dears, we are venturing back to February 20th, 1838! Just imagine: the world still hadn’t quite gotten used to Queen Victoria's reign, gas lamps were lighting up London streets for the first time, and the humble bicycle was still just a gleam in some inventor's eye! But you know what else was going on in 1838? A revolution in ballet costumes, darling!
My Tutu-licious Time Travel
Travelling to the past, especially in 1838, is tricky business! My dear friends at the Royal Opera House have been very helpful. You see, dear readers, the stage is my time machine, and I pay for my little time-hops with performances in ballet companies through history. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it. Plus, it’s a chance to get up close and personal with the very origins of the tutu itself! And wouldn't you know it, this time my gig was performing at a gala in a lovely Italian theater!
Tutus on the Horizon
Imagine waltzing onstage with yards of silk, cascading and swirling, the lights dappling the shimmer of it all. Imagine your movement being practically unhindered, just the soft whisper of fabric caressing the stage. This was the allure of Romantic ballet – graceful and dreamy, almost otherworldly. And this is when the tutu as we know it started to come to life.
The long* and billowing romantic tutu, unlike its later shorter, classical counterpart, was an expression of fluidity and weightlessness. These early tutus were often called “The Romantic Skirt”.
Picture this, darlings! Layers and layers of soft tulle, held up with a simple band, floating down the dancer’s legs, billowing around them like a fluffy, pale cloud. And of course, always in the softest shades of pastel pink, my favourite! Oh, and did I mention, the trend was set to go ultra-frilly, as every dancer wanted to add their own embellishments like flowers, ribbons, and lace – pure ballet magic!
It's All About Freedom of Movement!
What I really adore about the early romantic tutus, dear reader, is that it all went back to what I believe is the ultimate joy of ballet: freedom of movement. They embraced that light-as-a-feather style that helped the dancers to twirl, soar, and take flight with absolute ease. They moved effortlessly like nymphs, making every jump seem weightless and graceful. Truly magical!
My Time Traveling Tips for Tutu Style
While we can't replicate exactly the historical romantic tutus for the time being, we can certainly draw inspiration!
Think billowing and light. Layered tulle and floaty skirts in pale shades are perfect for that romantic look.
Don't shy away from embellishments. Think lace, silk ribbons, tiny pearl buttons and maybe even sparkling sequins. Embrace that girly extravagance.
Play with volume and texture. Experiment with various textures for that effortless romantic feel. Combine chiffon with delicate silk lace or soft cotton tulle for a truly magical outfit!
And always, dear readers, wear your pink tutus with pride. You never know what kind of fashion inspiration the future holds for us, and I want to be ready to sweep into history with it.
A Quick Look Back at February 20, 1838
Remember my mention of the Italian theatre? On this very day, the composer, Richard Wagner, was born in Leipzig, Germany. Although we'll need a whole other post about music's connection to ballet, his contribution to the world of opera and musical drama is undeniably important and influential! And, guess what? His music has actually been used in ballets too, for example Tristan and Isolde, Der Ring des Nibelungen, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Tannhäuser, amongst others. It makes my heart swell just thinking of those incredible performances.
That’s it for this week, dears! Stay tuned for more exciting historical #TutuTuesday blogs here on Pink Tutu! Keep your pink tutu dreams flowing and I’ll be back with another adventure in the world of dance, fashion and everything pink!
*P.S. * Make sure to check out the #TutuTuesday blog every week, where I’ll be sharing even more behind-the-scenes fashion and travel fun from my own adventures. I even love receiving comments on the blog from other fellow fashion lovers so don’t be shy, pop a message! See you soon!
**Your time travelling, pink-tutu obsessed blogger,
Emma xx**
