Hello lovelies! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday adventure! 💖 It's me, Emma, your time-traveling ballerina blogger, back with more fascinating ballet history, all decked out in my favourite shade of pink, of course!
Today we're whisking ourselves back to 1840-10-20! I just love the bustle of 19th-century London! The smell of chimney smoke mingling with the sweet aroma of fresh bread, the roar of horse-drawn carriages, and the endless stream of fashionable ladies sporting beautiful hats and gowns! It’s pure magic! ✨
But we're not just here to enjoy the sights and smells; we're here for a special reason, darling! It's #TutuTuesday, and that means we're digging deep into the fascinating history of the tutu!
Tutu Tuesday: What Were They Wearing?! 👗
Before we start, I've just got to share a little about how I managed to get myself back to 1840. 🤫 After another exhilarating performance with my London-based dance company, I popped into my local vintage store and found myself a magical travelling trunk, the kind old-fashioned grandmothers keep their prized belongings in. Inside, nestled amongst lace handkerchiefs and Victorian poetry books, I found the most beautiful tutu. It was pink, naturally, with sparkling rhinestones and flowing feathers, the kind of piece you’d only see in a Grand Ballet - I’m not sure the last time someone wore it - perhaps it was a ballet legend from the past - I've got no idea - But as soon as I put it on... I just knew. It was my ticket to time travel!
But, back to our real topic. 1840-10-20, ladies! Where did ballet stand back then? You see, 1840 was a special time for ballet. I found that Romantic Ballet was becoming hugely popular, not just in France and Italy, but in places like London! Think grand, magical storylines, beautiful music, and yes, those iconic tutu styles - it's pretty clear it was a huge time for tutus. 💖
If you can believe it, these days, the classic tutus were a new and exciting style. The ‘Romantic’ tutu – yes, the one with the wide, billowing layers - it wasn’t always like that! It's important to remember that a tutu, just like the fashion trends we adore now, has evolved through different phases over time.
Before this - the big ‘Romantic’ era of the 1830s to the 1860s, ballet costumes tended to be very practical - Imagine the ladies dancing around in more practical dresses and tights. There was less of that magical swirling volume of fabric. It was about the movement and athleticism – I imagine they’d be so much better at stretching with the long, flowy styles they were wearing back then. 💪
I do imagine those lovely Romantic era tutus were challenging, a little bit like when the modern ‘flamenco skirt’ really catches the wind.
But I want to share some facts about the first ever ‘tutus that would blow your mind. Can you believe that early on in the history of ballet, what they considered a tutu was...well...it was essentially just a fitted, knee-length skirt? You'd hardly even know they were a dancer! 🤯 It really shows you how the tutus we wear today have come to embody that graceful and delicate beauty!
Anyway, back to 1840-10-20. Let’s talk style! You see, in this date, a wonderful dancer called Carlotta Grisi was very much making a splash with a showstopping performance in *La Giselle. * And guess what, dearies? She wasn’t wearing just any tutu. She had on the most magical and voluminous white tutus - that flowed, swirled, and seemed to dance alongside her in that gorgeous, lyrical style! * That really helped cement the Romantic ballet tutu into our history, it was pretty ground-breaking! 🤯
The style she favoured for La Giselle, is still a very recognizable style of tutu we can see today, which is pretty amazing. It just goes to show, when something works, sometimes it never needs to change!
What can you say to that? ✨ Just imagine a long train like a princess’ dress with beautiful white fabric, lots and lots of voluminous layers…and… pink ribbons – It was so ahead of its time - and a lot like that new designer tutu I’ve got my eye on. 😉 Maybe I'll buy it when I return!
And don’t forget the other colours in the dance! Remember, I’m all about colour - back in 1840, red and white tutus were still in, so if you are thinking of creating a new Romantic Ballet costume I'm definitely saying go for red and white tutus. * They’re totally fabulous! *
A Ballet Time Traveller in 1840!
Right now, I’m sitting at a lovely table with the most delectable lemon meringue pie and a pot of perfectly brewed tea. The atmosphere in 1840s London is just fantastic, I love it so! The sights, the sounds - even the horse-drawn carriages that make the air vibrate when they drive past. Just divine! 💕
On my adventures I’ve just stumbled across an amazing Grand Ballet production by the Ballet Company of the Theatre Royal which, back then, was known for being just * *gorgeous!* This production was so *big and lavish. You would never guess it was so early in the story of The Romantic Ballet.
And my time travel here? Just think of the possibilities! There’s this divine costume store by a grand church called St. Giles Cripplegate - and it's stuffed to the rafters with gorgeous ribbons, velvet, and silk! Just a feast for the eyes! 💖
Speaking of costumes, dearies, if you are reading this, remember, you don’t need to travel back in time to have the perfect tutu. If you want one, you just gotta look at all of the amazing designers *making these things today! There are all kinds of *fab online shops which sell the best tutus. My go to is a little shop called * "Little Princess” * It is like the home of every kind of tutu! All you have to do is click “buy”! Oh, you would be amazed!
As a ballet fan myself, I've found some little secrets over my time in history . It’s about knowing where to find these magic items for that perfect look.* You might have to be a little *adventurous, maybe travel to that one vintage store just for one little feather, maybe find that perfect little pearl to match your *#TutuTuesday look, but trust me – it’s worth the hunt. 💖
I have so much to tell you all about it! And so much to show you.
#TutuTuesday - What Next?
Okie-dokie. My fellow ballerina lovelies, it's been wonderful to catch up on this historical #TutuTuesday, with all the fun little fashion facts! You’ll have to take a peek back at my Ballet Tutu History blog, this blog post is number #460, for some more gorgeous tutu facts. Remember, I will be back on Tuesday, to delve deeper into the incredible history of ballet’s tutus.
And hey, why not make a post of your own on your most beloved tutu?! Tag it with #TutuTuesday and #pink-tutu and don’t forget I love it when you let me know your stories. 💕
Time to go! I’ve got a new show to catch and some shopping to do – see you all next Tuesday!
Stay safe, and always remember to spread your tutus in the most beautiful pink possible! 💕
Yours Truly,
Emma 💖
www.pink-tutu.com
