#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1872-04-30

Hello darlings! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday, where we journey through time to explore the whimsical world of ballet tutus! I'm Emma, your very own time-traveling, tutu-adoring blogger, and this week we're whisking ourselves away to April 30th, 1872. Imagine a world of gaslight, horse-drawn carriages, and the most exquisite ladies in their fine silks and gowns...a true picture of elegance!

But enough about the everyday – today we're going to talk tutus, because believe it or not, dear readers, even in 1872, the world was already smitten with them!

Our time machine lands us in none other than Paris – oh la la! - the epicentre of style, fashion, and oh yes, ballet! I imagine it would have been a kaleidoscope of swirling skirts, the rustle of fabric, and the clinking of champagne flutes...and the tutus? Oh, the tutus! I picture them in all their glorious, frilled and ruffled beauty, probably very similar to what we see in modern ballet today.

Imagine, ladies, walking along the boulevards in your frilly pink tutu! Yes, that's right! The pink tutu was already becoming all the rage at this time, just like it is in modern ballet. As a firm believer in the power of the pink tutu (as you know if you've been following me for a while!), this makes my heart flutter.

Let's talk a little ballet history, shall we? 1872 sees the rise of the "Romantic" period in ballet history, with ballerinas like Marie Taglioni gracing the stage in their delicate, gauzy tutus. This, darlings, was the start of the ballerina's beautiful ascension as the ethereal, airy creatures they are still celebrated as today! These Romantic tutus were different from what we think of today - imagine lightweight tulle or cotton fabric with layers and layers of soft, delicate ruffles that floated like dreams on the stage. A real departure from the earlier stiff, longer and more structured skirts!

What happened on this very day, April 30th 1872, to make it significant for the tutus of the era?

The big news was the premiere of a beautiful ballet called "The Fountain" by the esteemed Russian choreographer Marius Petipa! You can bet the ladies on stage were wearing some divine, shimmering tutus – perhaps with glittering details? Imagine a performance infused with grace, athleticism and the ethereal flutter of tulle... swoon!

And for all you history buffs out there: A little side note for good measure. This date, April 30th, is also the anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth! Yes, a big date indeed for creativity and elegance!

So, how can we capture that Parisian magic with our modern wardrobes? Here are a few fun tips that Emma's trying out:

1. A Splash of Pink: As you know, darling readers, I love a pink tutu, but you can even inject a little pink flair into your everyday looks! Maybe a pink scarf or a pretty blush blouse will do the trick.

2. Frills and Flourishes: This year's fashions are embracing the fun of ruffles! Think a frilled neckline on a top, a billowing ruffled skirt, or a little tulle trimming. And if you really want to be adventurous, well, you can always invest in a tutu to add to your wardrobe!

3. Graceful Movement: We need not be ballet dancers to move gracefully. How about starting the day with a lovely stretch routine or maybe taking a stroll in a picturesque park?

4. Tutus On Tour: This past week I travelled to the opera in a lovely Victorian gown and a beautiful, soft pink tutu – the compliments just flowed! As the lovely Dame Edna says: Have a bit of a giggle! You don't need to be on a grand stage to have fun with your style.

I think I might even add some lovely little embroidered roses onto my own tutu this week... and just imagine, a pair of fluffy white feather boas for that special touch? The Victorian Era's emphasis on elaborate details was something that made style both memorable and glamorous. Don't be afraid to add your own unique touch to your wardrobe and let your personality shine through.

As always, darlings, I encourage you to share your #TutuTuesday stories with me on www.pink-tutu.com or on social media using #pinktutu! I'm so thrilled to connect with all of you who love a bit of elegance and playfulness, and I can't wait to hear about your own tutuing adventures! Until next time, keep those skirts twirling and keep that tutu-love alive!

Yours,

Emma