Hello my lovely Tutu Tribe! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another blast from the past for our weekly #TutuTuesday blog! Welcome to post number 2026 on www.pink-tutu.com.
As you know, my life revolves around tutus. But it’s not just the joy of twirling around in one that keeps me going, it's the incredible history of these iconic garments. Today, we're stepping back in time to 25th October, 1870, a pivotal year for ballet!
Tutu Times: 1870s Fashion!
Oh, my darling readers, can you even imagine a world without the flowing elegance of a tutu? The 1870s, it turns out, was pretty much just that! This was a time of crinoline chaos and boned bodices, far from the wispy grace of modern ballet.
Now, you might think ballerinas just donned the everyday dresses of the era for their performances. Oh, the horrors! Ballet in that style would have been about as graceful as a flock of startled pigeons. Luckily, our ballet pioneers had a more imaginative vision.
Imagine a ballerina’s costume made from fabric that was soft, light, and elegant. 😱 Imagine a dance, flowing with such fluidity and precision that it was almost as though the dancers were gliding on air. That was the aim, and this is where the “tutu” came into its own!
The "tutu" of the 1870s wasn't your traditional pink, romantic vision just yet, though. Think more…layered skirts. Think skirts on skirts! And sometimes, even a few extra layers of skirts! Oh my, what an era of fluff and movement! Quite unlike our modern ballerina bodices, the ladies were practically draped in fabric. That doesn’t stop them looking fabulously beautiful in all that material though, and this is definitely a look to remember!
It was during this time that the ballet really started to blossom, and the tutu's unique evolution is tightly intertwined with this rise in popularity. Ballet in those times was becoming increasingly about the technique of the dancers and they needed costumes that showcased these moves and flourishes! No bulky boned bodice would do for that! The 1870s and its development of a costume with freedom of movement played a critical role in ballet becoming a truly exciting visual art form. I have a feeling that this is how it should be… dancing with full freedom of expression. That's a look I love!
Where is everyone?
Now, imagine what 25th October, 1870 might have looked like. Where could you have seen a beautiful ballerina twirling on stage? You might find yourselves in the hallowed halls of the Paris Opera, where ballet was a very sophisticated, even aristocratic form of entertainment! It wasn't just for the masses then - oh no, it was something for royalty, wealthy citizens and those who sought artistic elegance!
London was catching up in ballet by this time though. You may well find yourself at a spectacular performance in London's Royal Opera House.
It’s hard to resist a big ol’ train journey in this era of fabulous elegance, and it's how I get around! Think of it: steaming engine, leather upholstery, a carriage filled with smartly dressed women in beautiful outfits – this is a grand trip! Just picture all the fantastic hats and bonnets, so stylish! I know just where to find all the newest ballet designs - I like to keep ahead of the curve, but only when it comes to beautiful dresses!
Travel Inspiration!
I'm off on a whirlwind adventure this week - I’ve just got back from Vienna and Milan, oh darling you just have to try Milan for shopping – it's all the best silks and velvet – it's like a dreamscape of textures, honestly. I just couldn’t leave with empty hands – but, of course, this will have to wait for a future blog!
Next, it's off to Derbyshire, my own little slice of England, but more about that next week – it's packed full of lovely country traditions and wonderful tea rooms!
But back to today’s exciting theme - 1870 and the rise of the tutu! This really was a transformative period for ballet fashion. The tutu took a big step, so to speak, and changed the look of this captivating art forever. Think back, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, to what we see today when we watch a beautiful ballerina. From the elegance of the swan, the delicate flow of the Giselle and so much more. These movements, these gestures - these all are part of the evolution of the tutu!
Next time we talk ballet, we'll be looking back a little further – who knows what gems we’ll uncover. Keep your eyes on the www.pink-tutu.com website for new #TutuTuesday posts, coming every Tuesday, where I'll keep your imagination twirling with stories about the most glorious garments ever invented – tutus!
And now for my special weekly reminder – get yourselves a pink tutu. Make a statement, show your support, share the joy and be as twirly as your heart desires. You don't need a stage or a fancy performance - Just yourself, and the fabulous fabric that makes you smile!
