#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1862-08-12

Hello lovelies! It's Emma, your resident Tutu Trendsetter, ready to whisk you back to a time when pink tutus were as fashionable as they are today, but a bit more demure. Buckle your ballet shoes and hold onto your bonnets because this week we’re diving into the heart of the Victorian era, August 12th, 1862 to be exact!

Now, imagine yourself stepping off the train at Euston station, London. You’d be swept away by a flurry of gentlemen in top hats, ladies in grand gowns and, my dear readers, an air of undeniable elegance! Yes, you’d be witnessing the height of the Victorian era and today we are taking you along for the journey, or should I say the "train" journey. I must confess, I have a deep fondness for the charming elegance and excitement of a train journey; there's a certain poetry to being carried along on the iron tracks towards adventure. The clink of carriages and the whistle of the engine; these sights and sounds are a perfect accompaniment to this trip back in time!

Our first stop is the theatre, for this was where the tutus danced in the limelight! While our modern ballet tutus, the ones we see pirouette with such incredible grace today, weren't quite so dramatically fluffy yet, Victorian tutus were still an incredible vision! Just imagine, darling, delicate layers of silk and tulle, a graceful length with hints of the billowing beauty we know and adore today! You’ll see them gracing the stages of the Royal Opera House, captivating London society.

On this date in history, you could be seeing a spectacular show at the Royal Opera House featuring an exquisite ballet set in a lavish costume drama. Or you might even have caught the dazzling Coppélia which made its debut in 1870, complete with a breathtaking tutus, of course! (Who knew tutus were this influential!)

Oh, and fancy finding yourself a Victorian fashion shop? Paris was bursting with fashionable shops and designers at this time, who crafted tutus so dainty and charming you’d want to whirl around the boutique yourself! And believe me, with so many grand balls and soirées happening during this period, everyone who was anyone had a tutu in their wardrobe. You could imagine a young Victorian debutante twirling around the dance floor, her heart beating with excitement while showing off her graceful form in a delicate tulle and silk confection - picture this! Just imagine it!

Now, for my own Victorian inspired tutu...imagine a vibrant shade of pink, soft as rose petals. And the fabric, oh, it would be a luxurious silk with intricate embroidery depicting the floral patterns found in the grand Victorian gardens. I’d twirl and twirl in this dreamy vision, letting the silk glide and shimmer with every pirouette! I have a vision for a modern-day Victorian inspired tutu; let me know your thoughts if you have any! But, I promise you, a Victorian-inspired tutu would make you look oh-so sophisticated and enchanting.

I confess to spending hours on a train from London to Paris, soaking in the vibrant hues and the lively bustle of Parisian shops and the fashion houses; what is not to love? My fellow dancers and fashionistas will absolutely adore these shops; they will offer beautiful materials such as fabrics and trims which are so perfect for making bespoke tutus! If we have time after shopping, the Tuileries Gardens is a must for an elegant Parisian picnic to round off your day in true style, I just love a picnic.

This has been another installment of Tutu Tuesday and my oh-so-fun filled adventure back in time, I hope you have enjoyed the glimpse of the Victorian ballet and fashion worlds. Be sure to return every Tuesday to pink-tutu.com where you’ll join me on a new historical adventure filled with fun, fabulousness, and Tutu Tuesday inspiration! And of course, I'm here to encourage every one of you to follow your tutu dreams! I know, we all have a pink tutu somewhere deep inside - let it out! Stay twirling, lovelies!

Yours in dance,

Emma

P.S. If you've enjoyed today's historical delve into tutus, be sure to share your own tutu adventures with me on Instagram and Twitter, use #TutuTuesday for a chance to feature on our website! And tell me, darling, what historical time periods would you love to visit?

I can't wait to hear your thoughts!