Greetings, my fellow tutu-lovers! It's your favourite pink-tutu clad ballerina, Emma, here, back for another delightful trip into the glorious history of our beloved tutus. This week, Iām whizzing us all back to the elegant year of 1849. Buckle up your ballet slippers and hold on tight!
A Train Ride Through Time
This week I had to do a little train travel to get to the bustling city of London, England, which is practically the centre of the ballet world right now. The railway is such a marvel of engineering - think of all the exciting new destinations it opened up for all of us! It made my journey quick and efficient. Even my tutu stayed perfect, not a single wrinkle, and the conductor was quite the charmer. You know I like a little romantic spark when travelling.
Speaking of sparkles, I had to snag a gorgeous pink silk gown at Liberty of London to get into the mood for this week's topic. This city is bursting with vibrant, fashion-forward ladies - everyone with an eye for style. My journey involved a lot of looking around and admiring all the hats, bows, and bustles, of course! But nothing really compares to a perfect tutu, wouldn't you say?
1849: A Year of Ballet
So, back to our topic, whatās happening in the ballet world in 1849? Well, imagine my excitement - The Royal Opera House, my absolute favourite place in London, is staging a new ballet called 'La Esmeralda'! It's an absolute masterpiece, darling, featuring the famous ballet dancer, Marie Taglioni. Can you even imagine? Taglioni is an inspiration for us all.
Fashion of the Moment: The Ballet Influence
Just as we look to the ballet for style inspiration today, Victorian ladies were in love with the feminine and graceful lines of a dancerās costume. I even saw some ladies sporting a āballet jacketā which, imagine this, had puff sleeves and resembled a dancerās bodice! But I know you'll all agree: nothing beats the elegance and magic of a truly fine tutu. They really don't make them like they used to!
Early Days of the Tutu
Tutus weren't called tutus back then. They were considered more a āskirtā or "balletic skirtā and they weren't as elaborate as we know them today. You can't imagine, ladies, no multi-layers of tulle or perfectly structured seams. Instead, these were light skirts, made of a soft cotton called ācambric,ā sometimes layered with tulle or lace. And don't forget the color! 1849 tutus came in a delicate, pale pink ā itās so lovely. Even back then, everyone loved a touch of blush!
Time to Take a Turn in Your Tutu
I love that fashion is now embracing these timeless looks and reinterpreting them. Imagine wearing a delicate blush-pink cotton skirt, a loose-fitting white blouse, and a little lace trim around the bodice, all paired with a graceful white ballerina shoe! Elegant yet so very feminine. Just what you need for an afternoon at the park or a picnic in the country. And of course, a bright pink flower to add that final touch of feminine charm!
Donāt Forget to Dance!
Remember my darlings, life is a beautiful dance! Get out there and embrace your own unique style, twirl and pirouette with confidence. Spread a little pink and a lot of tutu-joy around the world. It's all about feeling happy and confident, you see! I hope to see you back here next Tuesday for a fresh look at more inspiring tutu history! Donāt forget to let me know what your favorite tutu memories are!
Until then, keep dancing, Emma xxx
