Hello my lovelies, and welcome back to another Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! As you all know, this is where we delve into the delightful history of the tutu. Now, buckle up, darlings, because today's journey takes us all the way back to 27th October 1846! Imagine that, my dears, a whole 177 years ago. A gasp, a dramatic flutter of my pink feather boa!
I simply couldn't resist the allure of stepping back in time, and thanks to a particularly good performance at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham last week, I've got myself a fab new tutu to celebrate – it's the most gorgeous shade of lavender you've ever seen, truly fit for a queen! Now, my dear readers, it’s time to trade our modern day metro trains for a journey on the Royal Mail Steam Packet, arriving at the heart of London, bustling with theatre-goers just in time to catch a show. Don’t worry, darling, it's a much nicer ride than it sounds. Fancy hats and gossip - the height of chic in the 1800s. Imagine, my darlings, there’s no TikTok, no Instagram. No Snapchat! Just theatre performances.
Okay, imagine it. You're sitting there, comfortably settled into a plush velvet seat. It's almost showtime, the air filled with whispers and anticipation. Then, a beautiful ballerina graces the stage, shimmering in her billowing silk gown – graceful, delicate, a true goddess of dance. But here's the twist, my lovely reader! The "tutu" of 1846 is a world away from our modern day tutu.
Why, my lovelies, at that time, dancers wore something called a tutu de bas or, in English, a “basque” – a simple but beautifully crafted skirt which fell to the calves! Not the romantic, knee-length vision we adore today. Imagine a ballet with a skirt just above the ankle. Now, this skirt would be made of several layers of sheer fabrics like tulle or silk, carefully hand-stitched for a flowy and intricate finish. It was all about creating a sense of movement, my darlings, allowing the dancers to whirl and twirl with grace and effortless elegance. And it was undeniably romantic – so much of their elegance relied on grace and how the skirt was held, allowing those swirling dances we love to watch. A bit more effort than simply “a jump and a twirl” I suppose! Think elegant swishing!
Oh, imagine those delicate fabrics twirling and swirling in the spotlights, such a stunning contrast against the velvet backdrop. But don't be mistaken, my lovely readers, the ballet of the mid-1800s was an incredible spectacle of artistry. Just like in those vintage theatre programmes, it's important to celebrate every iteration of our beloved tutu.
This tutu de bas was, in a way, the perfect dance floor outfit! It's not something you’d run around in though - can you imagine all those layers being swept up by the wind? Just picture a beautiful ballet dancer floating and leaping on stage, a symphony of light and graceful motion - like a ballerina’s poem, beautifully crafted with the delicate sway of her silk gown!
This whole journey back in time makes me appreciate the modern tutu even more, my lovelies. Can you imagine our modern day ballet stars swirling with all that extra fabric around them? No wonder my modern tutu has gone to such lengths to express its beauty and individuality! But I can't deny, the beauty of this historical tutu, a beautiful flowing symphony of fabric and elegance, truly stands out. We can’t deny its beautiful simplicity – after all, they had no option of modern-day fabrics or technologies. Just the sheer talent of craftsmanship and passion for dance, my dears!
Speaking of passion, have you watched any ballets lately? My latest favourites have been "Swan Lake" and "The Sleeping Beauty". Now, you know me, darling, nothing screams fashion like a dazzling performance. And talking of fashion, we can't just stop there, can we, my dears? Because just like the art of dance, fashion too evolves. The tutu de bas became much shorter through the 19th Century – what they did next made them take inspiration from the dress forms of the era, allowing for increasingly delicate forms for our stars. It’s as though they were striving to create a floating flower, or the feather on the wind - simply sublime!
While 1846 may have seen the tutu de bas, it is only the starting point, my dear reader, to a tutu story which keeps unfolding – for there is no definitive time that the ‘classic’ ballet tutu we know today was created. So you see, our beloved tutu has a history as rich and colourful as any other in fashion - the perfect blend of practicality, beauty, and evolution - the embodiment of all things amazing about dance!
So my lovelies, that's it for this week! Be sure to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more on the history of this magical garment. Remember to share your Tutu Tuesday memories using the hashtag #TutuTuesday on your social media channels.
Now, my darling reader, it's time for me to enjoy a delicious cup of tea. You see, one needs a strong brew to keep up with my own fabulous tutu dreams – my plan to create my own collection is finally beginning to take shape, just as a proper tutu dream should! So till next Tuesday, my loves, and happy dancing!
Your Pink Tutu Princess,
Emma 💖🩰
