Hello my darling dears, and welcome back to Pink Tutu, the blog for all things tutu and twirling! It’s me, Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast, fresh from a whirl around the cobbled streets of Paris, 1843! And believe me, darlings, this trip was a total dream for any fashion-loving ballerina. 💖
The 10th of October here was bursting with Parisian elegance! The air hummed with excitement for the opening night of the Opéra National de Paris - and the reason, you ask? The stunning premiere of Gluck’s Iphigenia in Aulis! Talk about dramatic entrances, this opera was packed with beautiful, flowing costumes that made my heart sing! 🎻
Speaking of entrances, you know me, darling - tutu has been on the brain, as always! And I'm thrilled to share a fascinating insight into tutu history.
In 1843, the world of ballet was being totally revolutionised! You see, tutus were already starting to get their very own star billing. Before the 1830s, ballerinas were usually wearing what was known as a roman dress, which, though pretty, wasn't exactly built for twirling. Roman dresses were all about draped layers, flowy lines, and lots of movement, ideal for flowing around the stage and showing off all that beautiful line - but not very ideal for performing jumps or spins, or revealing the lovely graceful lines of a ballerina’s legs, is it?
But oh, how times have changed, my darlings! Thanks to Marie Taglioni, a truly inspirational ballerina, the romantic tutu was taking the stage by storm. Imagine, darling - delicate, lightweight, barely there, and totally allowing the ballerinas to twirl with newfound freedom and flair. The era was all about expressing the ethereal and magical beauty of the soul of the dancer. Can’t you picture the delicate swirls of tulle, hinting at something otherworldly? This was truly the dawn of the ballerina we know today! And honestly, is there anything more elegant than a ballerina pirouette in a perfectly billowing romantic tutu?
So, what was it about this romantic tutu that made it a total game-changer? Think, darling - the lightness! Imagine dancing like a fairy! 🧚♀️ That beautiful, flowing fabric swirled and drifted around the dancer, mirroring the emotions of the characters on stage, creating this wonderful illusion of ethereal beauty! Plus, the way it emphasized the grace and elegance of the dancers, it truly brought their every movement to life.
As for the costumes in Iphigenia in Aulis, imagine, darling - classic white and cream, all about elegance and those perfect curves, and always showing off the lines of the ballerina. I’m totally imagining a cascade of graceful white fabric around those beautiful, lean, ballet limbs - it truly gives a breathtaking visual effect! The beauty of the movement is absolutely accentuated! 💖
My darling dears, let me tell you, the romantic tutu was a total game changer! Imagine - you’re transported to this magical world of dance. And, honestly, what’s better than the romantic tutu for creating that magic?
To truly feel this spark of fashion magic for yourself, I've planned a delightful little shopping excursion! This Tuesday, I'm obsessed with Parisian vintage shops and dreaming of finding myself a beautiful romantic tutu, just like the ones worn in the Paris Opéra in 1843! Just the thought of it sends me into a dreamy ballet twirl. Imagine how fabulous it would look on the streets! 💖
It's time for me to take my leave! As the sun sets on the streets of Paris and I prepare to embark on my journey back to Derbyshire, don’t forget to check in on the Pink Tutu blog! I’ll be here, writing and twirling. Until next week, darling dears! Keep twirling! 💃
Lots of love,
Emma
#TutuTuesday: Where To Find A Vintage Romantic Tutu 🩰🌸So you want to step back in time and recreate your own Victorian Romantic Tutu? That’s simply fab, darling! This dreamy look is super easy to put together with just a few key pieces. Imagine a beautifully draped silk top - I always love something flowy, in ivory, pale pink, or buttercup yellow. Then add a gorgeous skirt with tulle ruffles! Add a velvet ribbon sash at the waist - think jewel tones like ruby red, sapphire blue, or emerald green. That touch of velvet is key to a truly authentic Victorian romantic vibe!
You can buy one ready made if you want - there are lots of websites that sell them. But why not try something different and make one yourself? Find a tulle fabric or find a lovely old tulle net curtain. The Victorian romantic tutu is pretty easy to create, you can make it long or short - up to you! There's nothing more satisfying than creating a totally original vintage outfit.
Where can you shop to find one of your very own romantic tutus, darlings? I’ll give you some super-special, vintage shop picks, places I like to get my own Parisian-inspired fashion inspiration! 💖
London:
- Angelica’s Boutique: The darling owner, Angelica, has some of the most fabulous and eclectic vintage clothing finds, including an amazing collection of tutus, all hand-selected, darling. And she always gives great styling tips - just like me!
- Beyond Retro: This giant of the vintage clothing world is an absolute treasure trove, darling, with a constantly changing stock of clothes, and the tutus are super affordable. You're bound to find a romantic beauty in a range of fabrics!
- Vivien of Holloway: This amazing vintage and bespoke clothing shop has some really beautiful, theatrical gowns which can totally inspire your Romantic Tutu style, plus they sell wonderful velvet ribbon which is the perfect finishing touch to your vintage Parisian tutu.
- House of Frock: Their curated collection is super special and eclectic - this is where I find my absolute best vintage finds, including some utterly beautiful tulle skirts for your Romantic Tutu!
Paris:
- Au Départ: This darling Parisian vintage boutique has a wonderful selection of vintage dresses - ideal for picking up inspiration to create your own romantic tutu.
- L’Habilleur: Located on Rue Saint-Denis - this boutique is overflowing with Victorian and Belle Epoque treasures! It's a vintage heaven with amazing *old corsets and lingerie, all perfectly for *adding that authentic Victorian feel*!
- Free'P'Star: Perfect for finding that special tulle and fabric for your Romantic Tutu.
You see, darlings? This trend, like a beautiful flower blooming, has endured through the years and is a look that you can still get so much joy from today! It shows how timeless style can really stand the test of time, doesn’t it, darlings?
And, that, darling dears, is Pink Tutu, your one-stop guide to finding and wearing your very own perfect, tutu!
