Oh, my darlings! It's Tuesday again, which means it's time for another dip into the world of ballet tutu history! As always, I'm your very own pink tutu-clad guide, Emma, ready to whisk you away on a whirlwind tour of ballet fashion from a time gone by. Today, we're stepping back to 27th March 1866, a date brimming with balletic delights.
My goodness, this is such an exciting time for the world of ballet! In France, the renowned Parisian Opera is abuzz with the premiere of "La Fille du Régiment" by Gaetano Donizetti! Can you believe it? A new ballet! My heart simply leaps with excitement for such a fresh creation. And you know what? They're featuring five stunning pink tutus - what a wonderful spectacle! You can bet I'll be whipping up a few similar looks to celebrate, as pink is just divine for a spring ballet performance.
Now, before I get too carried away by the elegance of those pink tutus, let's dive into what the world of ballet fashion looked like back then. The romantic era in ballet (1830 - 1870) was all about long, flowing tutus – think graceful and airy movements like swirling silks. These beautiful creations showcased a new ideal of femininity, highlighting the ballerina's delicacy and grace. They were the perfect outfit for the breathtaking leaps, expressive movements, and emotive storytelling of romantic ballets.
We saw the classic tutu, a little less dramatic than what we see today but equally stunning! Picture layers of fine tulle – the sort you’d imagine a queen wearing. You could even imagine this beautiful piece shimmering as they pirouetted under the chandeliers in the opera house. It was almost like watching fairies come to life!
However, remember, these "tutus" weren't really as we know them today. They didn’t start out as the knee-length frilly masterpieces that are the hallmarks of ballet fashion today. Early ballerinas would wear more comfortable outfits – dresses or petticoats layered over corsets - for all their lovely ballet dancing! Imagine – the ballerina of that era was truly a symbol of grace and elegance, even while having to make do with limited clothing.
Speaking of ballerina outfits, you won't find a dancer sporting a “ballet leotard” or a “tight-fitting” piece of attire anywhere at this time! Instead, picture the graceful ballerinas twirling in flowing sleeves, lovely, frilly white necklines, and modest but oh-so-beautiful long, silky skirts. They had it right! Think more romantic and charming, less tight-fitting and streamlined – you could just feel the elegance and the fluidity of these exquisite dancers.
But of course, all these gorgeous outfits need the finishing touch. And what better finishing touch than a delightful little bit of pink? Now, pink wasn't exactly the ubiquitous fashion favourite it is today, but you bet your tutu I'd wear as much of it as I could. In the early stages, pink, blush and rosy colours were largely favoured by ladies in general as symbols of sweetness and delicacy. That was all about to change with time! Pink is my all-time favourite and even if it isn't seen as much, pink still holds such a wonderful position as a symbol of ballet.
Now, I wouldn’t want to leave you hanging without some fashionable insight for your own tutu wardrobe! Remember, even in this bygone era, boldness was definitely on the horizon. A bold print or pattern in soft hues can make all the difference - or how about a lovely embellishment or a little beading? Imagine delicate pearls and ribbon twirling and glittering in the stage light – simply divine!
There are still many adventures ahead in ballet tutu history, darlings! As the century progressed, ballet embraced new technologies – the famous tutu was born, creating new styles and showcasing exciting fashion moments in its wake. So until next time, be sure to #keepdancing, #bepink, and keep on dreaming about all those beautiful tutus that await us!
To join me in the exciting world of pink and ballet fashion, make sure you follow my weekly posts here on www.pink-tutu.com, where I’ll keep you updated on the newest happenings in tutu fashion history and the world of ballet. And don't forget, share your love for pink and all things ballet using #TutuTuesday! Until next time, remember, darling: Pink tutus make everything better!
Emma (Derbyshire, England, UK)
Editor's note: Emma travelled through time via magical ballerina spells, funding her adventures via successful ballet performances and private ballet instruction. She can be seen every Tuesday performing as a ballerina, dancer and street theatre artist in central London. Follow Emma and #TutuTuesday on the pink-tutu.com website for weekly updates.
