Hello darling dancers! Welcome to another #TutuTuesday installment of my Ballet Tutu History blog! As you know, I am a true ballerina at heart, and tutus are my absolute passion - my mission is to get everyone wearing one, pink or otherwise! So hop on board my fabulous time-travelling train and letās whisk ourselves back to 1838ā¦
This week, I found myself on the bustling Parisian streets - what an absolute dream! You wouldnāt believe the gorgeous silks, laces, and satins I discovered in the shops ā simply divine! Theyāre truly what gave us that lovely floaty look of ballet thatās become iconic even today!
This Tuesday in particular is special, becauseā¦ The Queen of England has had her fourth child! This wonderful news has sent the nation into a frenzy. Can you imagine having the Queen herself wear a tutu? Just picture it!
Oh my, you know what makes this even better? Weāre talking about Victoria ā the very Queen who has made a real difference for fashion, making a daring fashion choice and going for white dresses in public, rather than the typical darker, almost regal colours. Her dress choice revolutionised the way that people view and approach clothing. It was her confidence and love of beauty that sparked a shift, don't you think? A real icon of her time!
Iāve been dancing a lot in Paris this week - what else could I possibly be doing?! I have been captivated by the performances here, from the Grand Opera House, all the way to the smaller private ballets hosted in charming boudoirs. And guess what Iāve noticed? You know those lovely bell-shaped skirts we often see dancers wearing now? It looks like they are really gaining in popularity, almost resembling little ballerina tutus themselves. So chic, so dainty!
Oh, the tutus themselvesā¦ they still look rather different to what weāre used to today! For one, think very full, lots of ruffles ā even multiple layers. Imagine yourself standing out on stage with such extravagant amounts of tulle. And the colours? I have been seeing plenty of blush, lilac, and even pastel blue. It's simply elegant!
There are also the longer āballerina-styleā skirts. These long, graceful and billowing pieces seem to flow so elegantly. They really allow dancers to fully express their graceful movements and give such a dramatic stage presence. Oh, how Iād love to try them all on myself, for a fun photo shoot perhaps?
My favourite this week? The white tulle tutu! What a delightful dream! It is absolutely captivating. A touch of simplicity and yet such sophistication. Thereās an airy grace about these skirts ā the tulle dances beautifully as the dancer spins! You truly canāt get more ballet-related than that!
My dear tutu lovers, I hope this has been an exciting journey through Parisian history. There is so much to love about ballet fashion from this era, from the lavish embellishments to the delicate elegance of each skirt. Let me know in the comments, do you think the white tutu trend might take off with us now?
Iāve got to run for now, but stay tuned for next week's #TutuTuesday where I will be exploring more on ballet and tutu history. It's going to be a thrilling adventure, just wait and see!
Happy tutuing, my lovelies!
Your time-travelling tutu blogger,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #TutuLover #Paris #VictorianEra #Travel
This post marks 339 on my ballet blog.
