Bonjour mes chéries, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday on Pink-Tutu.com! This week we're taking a twirling trip back in time to the year 1867 – think gaslight glow, horse-drawn carriages and the oh-so-chic bustles!
As a Derbyshire girl born and bred, my love for ballet started early. You can't grow up in the land of Derbyshire Dales and Peak District scenery without a longing for something graceful and ethereal. Luckily, my mama (bless her cotton socks!) took me to see Swan Lake at the age of five, and from that moment on, I knew my path in life: dancing, twirling, and all things tutu!
Of course, back in 1867, tutus were very different from the tutus we see today. Now, picture this: think short skirts, fluffy and tiered, perhaps even a little too voluminous for modern standards! But that's where the magic lies – that era was about embracing the dramatic, and nothing shouts “theatre” quite like a flamboyant tutu!
What a day to step back into 1867! Can you believe June the 18th, 1867, was the date of the official opening of the Suez Canal? The Queen, bless her heart, couldn’t attend as she had a “heavy cold,” but you can bet there were plenty of ladies sporting the latest Parisian fashions for this momentous event.
Oh, the outfits! One thing that has always captivated me about fashion history is the evolution of clothing, especially women’s wear. And 1867 was a thrilling period for fashion. Just imagine: corsets that gave a lovely silhouette, crinoline underskirts for a voluminous shape, and, of course, that ever-present bustle – the larger, the better, I always say! It’s a good thing they’ve stopped using horsehair for bustles nowadays, it must have been unbearably itchy!
But it wasn't just the ladies sporting fantastic frocks, the gents were just as dapper in their top hats, elegant cravats and double-breasted coats. A fine suit, a touch of sparkle for the ladies, and the faint scent of cologne - 1867 must have been quite a show!
The theatre scene back then, however, is a little less grand than our grand opera houses nowadays. There were plays galore and even music halls, although I have heard tell that the performances were more dramatic than refined! But hey, who am I to judge? In the age of pink tutus and flamboyant flourishes, more is definitely more!
So, how can we channel that 1867 spirit in our own modern day fashion? Simple! Think bold colors, playful prints, and that unmistakable touch of dramatic flair. A pop of pink, a bright flower-printed scarf, or a little bit of tulle in your outfit, and you’ll be looking like you stepped straight out of the Victorian Era – only more chic, of course!
But, most importantly, remember the spirit of 1867: the excitement, the drama, and the bold pursuit of beauty. And when all else fails, just grab your favourite pink tutu and spin, spin, spin! After all, the joy of dance knows no time, no place, and certainly no limits.
Until next Tuesday, darling dears!
Bisous, Emma xx
P.S. I am collecting old theatre playbills and photos of dancers and ballets in 1867. If you have any of these and are willing to share them please let me know by emailing
