#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1866-02-13

Blog Post #1781

Hello darlings! Emma here, your trusty time-traveling tutu aficionado, back with another #TutuTuesday history escapade! Today we're whisking ourselves back to 1866, a truly enchanting era in the history of the tutu!

This week I decided to take a trip on the Orient Express, travelling all the way from my lovely Derbyshire to the heart of Paris, the City of Lights. Now, as you all know, I can’t resist a trip to the grand Paris Opera! The grand theatre was dazzling in all its glittering glory. And oh, my dear readers, the sheer volume of tutus!

It was an absolute feast for my eyes! Let's get those brain cells buzzing with a bit of history, shall we? The year is 1866, the reign of ballet is truly underway, and I was ready to capture its magnificent essence in all its tutu-licious glory!

As you may know, dear readers, the tutu we know and adore today is a story of evolution, and in the year 1866, it was in a state of pure transformation. Back then, a "tutu" wasn't just a singular design; it had several variations, from the "tutu à la romanza" – flowing and romantic with yards of graceful fabric – to the "tutu à la danseuse," the precursor to what we see today, with its fitted, almost hip-hugging form and dramatic, almost defying gravity, proportions.

The "tutu à la romanza" was absolutely breathtaking, its fabric floating like the most beautiful ballet dream. Imagine long, airy tulle layers falling all the way to the ankles, each one creating an exquisite wave as the ballerina moved. Pure romance! On the other hand, the "tutu à la danseuse," in its bold simplicity, showcased the grace of the dancer with almost minimalist elegance, allowing her every move to be seen with crystalline clarity. This period is just about the most exciting for the evolution of the tutu. It truly captures the essence of a changing era.

The year is just bubbling with excitement! We are celebrating Valentine’s Day in the middle of the week. I think there's no better occasion than Valentine’s Day to make your way to a performance at the Paris Opera! Oh, it’s simply exquisite. It would be an incredible opportunity to dress to the nines in your finest finery and catch an incredible performance by the legendary Carlotta Grisi, a real star in the ballet world! I think it's time for us all to pick out our pinkest tulle dresses, have some fun and make some memories!

When I time-traveled, I did find myself at a fascinating shop that made some of the most stunning, extravagant ballet garments, each with its own touch of flair, and let me tell you, the selection of tulles was absolutely magnificent. Imagine a riot of colour, from crisp white to delicate pastel shades, with soft ruffles and glittering embellishments. It's the stuff dreams are made of!

And it wasn't just about the tutus; the shoes! Ah, those graceful, pointe shoes, their silken ribbons tying snugly around the ankle, and those lovely, comfortable satin slippers for less demanding scenes – both pieces were so graceful and stylish! Imagine those delicate shoes gliding across the stage, and you can just picture those mesmerizing dancers with their long, swirling skirts, dancing a symphony of colour and grace!

As much as I adore history, I simply cannot resist dressing in a pink tulle tutu when I visit the past! Oh, what an absolute delight! You can never go wrong with a lovely pink tutu. It’s classic, graceful and it makes the biggest statement at any time! When I travel, I can’t resist taking some extra luggage to fit in all my outfits, especially if I’m in Paris.

Let’s talk pink! There’s really nothing quite as fabulous as seeing yourself in a swirling pink cloud. For my Parisian outing, I have on a rather spectacular pink tulle tutu, a design fit for a queen of ballet. This piece is the absolute dream! With layers and layers of gauzy tulle cascading to my feet, I feel light as a feather! The waistband is an elegant satiny belt, sparkling with sequins for just a dash of elegance.

My look is not just a simple pink, however, but a combination of pastel pink and coral, a beautiful, feminine, playful pink with that charming pink touch to ensure every single dance move looks utterly captivating! I find the shade of pink creates an aura of romantic elegance that just captivates every eye in the theatre, from my dear, elderly neighbour in her velvet cape to the grand Dame next to her!

I paired my stunning pink tutu with a sheer blouse. A lovely, silky lilac shirt, it looks absolutely fabulous under the soft layers of the tulle, bringing out the best of the colours.

Let's not forget the accessories. A wide, satiny pink sash ties around my waist and is the perfect finishing touch to any feminine outfit! And my trusty feather boa – a fluffy pink, to add to my air of fashion extravagance!

And my head? Well, that has a delicate pink silk rose sitting there as though the flowers from the garden are dancing in the ballet! This lovely flower completes the look, creating the ultimate princess ballerina outfit. It feels almost like stepping into a fairytale!

Oh, my darlings! What is ballet if not the chance to showcase your elegance and grace? The most amazing thing about fashion is the confidence and elegance it provides, the sparkle and energy. It’s all about finding something that suits your character. You can express your personality and love for ballet with the right piece of fabric! So grab that tutu – whether it’s your grandmother's favourite or one you've picked up at a vintage market! - and have fun embracing your inner ballerina. Remember to look out for a pink one, you'll see you’ll love it just as much as I do.

Till next #TutuTuesday, you lovely lot!

I am off on a brand-new adventure next Tuesday. I will be heading to New York City – the place to be for modern style and excitement – but don’t you worry, I’m always on the lookout for the most incredible tutus.

Follow my blog on www.pink-tutu.com to catch my latest fashion tips and #TutuTuesday posts! Feel free to leave a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Remember to share your tutu adventures using the hashtag #PinkTutu – I can’t wait to see how you’re rocking your pink tulle!