#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1838-11-13

Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for a #TutuTuesday journey into the world of ballet history, and today, we're stepping back in time to the 13th of November, 1838. I'm Emma, your very own time-traveling ballerina, and today, we're going to dive into the fashionable whirl of the 1830s and see what the world of dance was wearing then!

First, a bit of background: As a proud Derbyshire lass, I simply love travelling by train. The clattering of the wheels, the smooth rhythm of the carriage…it’s quite like the ballet in its own right. And believe me, the 1830s, despite the odd bumpy track, was a wonderful era to travel by train. Why? Well, in 1838, railway lines were springing up like dandelions after a good rain. This meant a whirlwind of new travel opportunities!

But what was a fashionista to wear on a grand railway journey?

Imagine a sleek, full-length gown made of shimmering satin. Now add a bodice delicately draped with silk flowers, a delicate ruff at the neck, and some frilled cuffs. A fetching hat, adorned with a plume of feathers or some silk ribbon, completed the ensemble. Oh, the elegance!

Travelling by train in a flowing frock like that, the air swirling through the carriages as we went, would feel utterly divine. It's practically begging to be immortalized in a ballet, wouldn't you agree?

Back in the 1830s, the ballet world was evolving! Gone were the heavy, rococo dresses of previous times. It was all about lightweight fabrics, flowing lines, and – you guessed it! - tutus!

For ladies on stage, tutus were often crafted from silk gauze and tulle. Think swirling layers of fabric in pastel hues - think of the colours of delicate flower petals or summer skies – they were oh so elegant.

In terms of choreography, it was an era of athleticism and fluidity! Dancers, many trained by the famous Carlo Blasis, embraced jumps, turns, and dramatic movements in their choreography, so these elegant, flowing tutus helped highlight those graceful movements beautifully.

For the gentlemen, the costume de ballet, which is a close-fitting pantaloon made of tight-weave fabric with a delicate pattern or color. Think the color of rich mahogany, the deep blue of the sea, or the dark green of velvet drapes. These suits showed off their athletic physiques perfectly!

And who can forget those famous dancing shoes! Imagine delicate shoes crafted from satin and silk with decorative laces and tassels. I bet you the tap-dancing that was starting to pop up was so impressive with shoes like these! The shoes were perfect for showing off graceful footwork on stage. A ballet dancer needs a shoe that makes them light on their feet! And oh! Can you imagine dancing with them, twirling through the 1830s?

Of course, a true time traveler wouldn't miss the chance to introduce a little pink magic! Pink wasn't quite as ubiquitous as it is today in the 1830s, but I think a pale pink satin bodice with layers of tulle, and a matching feather boa would make a grand statement!

Remember, everyone, even if the ballet world of the 1830s didn’t quite have the abundance of pink that we adore today, pink is the colour of beauty, romance and happiness. It is a colour that truly elevates a ballet performance to an extraordinary experience!

It's time to wrap this week's Tutu Tuesday journey! We’ve danced through the 1830s with the grace and fluidity of a true ballet dancer, explored the world of fashion, and discovered what a delightful journey the railways could provide. Next week, we’ll embark on another enchanting time-travel journey, and who knows what ballet-related marvels we'll uncover. Until then, remember: every day is a chance to dance and express your inner ballerina!

Now go out there, and put on a pink tutu and whirl!

Stay fabulous!

Love,

Emma.