Hello darling tutu lovers! It's your favourite pink-obsessed ballerina Emma here, ready to whisk you away on a whirlwind tour through the world of tutus, from my own personal time-traveling adventures! This week, my tutu has landed me back in 1870, and let me tell you, the ballet world was already bursting with exquisite costumes. Itās all very exciting for a Tutu Tuesday blog like mine.
Oh! Before we begin, darling, a little tidbit of exciting news - if you're in Paris today, make sure you get down to the OpĆ©ra Garnier. I'm off to see a spectacular production of "La Esmeralda"! They say the costumes are beyond stunning, just imagine the shimmering silk and billowing tulle! I canāt wait for the ballet and to explore the fashion in Paris, darling.
Now, back to our time-travel journey. Remember that lovely frilled little number you spotted in your local vintage store? Well, 1870 is the year those darling details were just starting to be popular! Now, there were definitely tutus before this date - you just needed a long, full skirt. In fact, those full-length gowns with loads of fabric are what eventually transformed into the beautiful, floaty tutus we adore today. I believe it's all thanks to the elegant, flowy movement demanded by the eraās ballet stars.
One of the key elements to watch out for in this period, was the tutu-inspired underdress. Iām talking delicate frills and fluffy tulle beneath a sleek, elegant dress! These underdresses gave an added sense of drama and movement, a real ballerina magic touch! The sheerest materials were so much in vogue - imagine a dreamy, floaty chiffon tutu layered beneath an opulent silk skirt. This layering effect was all the rage. Talk about dreamy and romantic, right?
If you find yourself at the Royal Opera House in London today, or indeed in any theatre around the world for that matter, check out the ballerinasā beautiful corsets. This is where 1870ās fashion plays a starring role. Remember the cinched waist look everyone is going gaga for these days? The corseted bodices that were de rigeur for ballerina performances at the time, are super inspirational and are definitely something that makes a gorgeous and very timeless style statement in todayās wardrobe too, donāt you think? I particularly love them under a fitted jacket for that super sophisticated look!
Now, imagine a time where tutus were ONLY seen on the ballet stage. It feels almost shocking today, but thatās how it was in the mid 1800s. This all changed in 1870, thanks to a special, beautiful creation called the "Crinoline", that made life just a little bit more magical for the ladies. These full skirts with delicate tulle layers were a marvel in the time! They gave the graceful twirls an added touch of elegance that captivated everyone who saw it.
Do you know why these skirts are called ācrinolineā? Itās all because they were first constructed with a framework made of horsehair! Isnāt that fascinating? This gave the skirt an extra structure that created a gorgeous volume that looks a little more "cage skirt" and less "full skirt."
You know, these lovely "cage skirts" inspired not just dance costumes but street fashion, too. Imagine wearing a full skirt that allows you to take dainty, graceful steps ā itās just about the most feminine look, right?
One thing is for sure - back in 1870, there was definitely a ballet fever spreading across the world. In fact, the year 1870 was a massive year for the world of ballet, with numerous spectacular shows and stunning creations coming to the fore. In Paris, dancers in their fluffy, colourful tutus became veritable celebrities! This is when ballet really blossomed from its artistic beginnings into something much bigger and more extravagant.
Now, the beautiful tutus of this period were made with materials you wouldnāt be able to find these days - Iām talking silk, chiffon and gauze ā just the kind of fabrics to make every ballerinaās heart flutter! And donāt even get me started on the colours! Those magnificent stage lights and stunning tutus made a show a must-see.
This reminds me: If you havenāt seen the beautiful dancers on the stage recently, get to the theatre as quickly as possible. Nothing beats watching beautiful ballerinas grace the stage in those beautiful costumes.
So there you have it, darling tutulovers! Our history for this week: itās a delightful blend of beautiful colours, romantic ballet costumes, and, yes, a pinch of pink to bring out the sweetness of the day. Remember to tell your friends, tell your sisters, and spread the pink love wherever you go! Make sure to tell your ballet-loving friends to check out the pink-tutu.com website for all the latest fashion and travel tips for the passionate ballerina, darling.
And darling, next week Iāll be diving into the early 20th Century where the "tutu- revolution" really kicks in - itās a magical time! Stay tuned!
Don't forget to keep your tutus twirling and keep that smile bright,
Love,
Emma š
