#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1874-07-28

Post Number: 2222

Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina blogger, Emma, back again with another peek into the fascinating history of our beloved tutu! Today we're venturing back to July 28th, 1874! Oh, it's going to be a treat for your eyes! Now grab a cup of tea, slip into your favourite ballet shoes, and get ready for a right royal romp through time!

As always, dear readers, the magic of the tutu began with ballet itself. In the grand palaces and opera houses of the 19th century, ballet reigned supreme. Picture ladies in shimmering silk, graceful movements, and oh, those exquisite tutus!

You know, back in 1874, our fabulous tutu wasn't just for the stage; it was an important piece of every fashion-forward woman's wardrobe! It's hard to imagine today, but tutus were considered "fashionable"! Think elaborate evening gowns with billowing tulle skirts, cascading down in elegant tiers. The women back then loved experimenting with layers of netting, shimmering satin and lots and lots of ruffles! It's what made every dress even more dramatic and special. Just think: what would they have said if they knew how much we LOVE tutus today?!

Now, I might be getting ahead of myself, but the most important thing to remember is that ballet was THE THING! Think of it like the pop concerts of today - everybody flocked to see their favourite ballet stars, everyone wore their most magnificent outfits and every theatre performance was just unforgettable!

Now let's jump back to our date: 28th of July 1874. What was the world buzzing about?

Well, picture this:

On the theatre scene, a grand revival of "Swan Lake" took the Parisian audiences by storm! Imagine the opulence of that first performance in 1877. A magical evening of grace and wonder. And on that date in 1874, the world was probably in the throes of preparing for such a spectacular show!

Meanwhile, in London, Madame Katti Lanner's Royal Opera Company was preparing for the most exciting performances of the summer! It’s almost like that “Must-See Event” feeling everyone feels today when Beyonce hits the stage! Think glittering chandeliers, plush red velvet seating and stunning costumes, all wrapped up in a magical aura that we all crave!

Oh, I do love the elegant, classic spirit of the Victorian age!

But enough about the theatre, what else was going on that week in 1874? Well, the Manchester Guardian reported on the success of a new book titled “In My Lady's Chamber: A Collection of Old-Fashioned Recipes,” – perfect for all the ladies trying out new and exciting culinary creations in their grand kitchens, just as they do in their fashionable ball gowns and tutus today! *“How charming, *” everyone is saying! “How elegant, how chic”!**

I love this period in fashion! I just love those ruffled blouses, bonnets with beautiful feathers and ribbons! It’s all about adding flair and personality. I have to confess I even borrowed a few outfits and made myself a very exciting and fancy bonnet – you’ve got to go out of your way to impress these stylish ladies and gentlemen from the 19th century. They wouldn't dare leave the house without their fanciest outfits. It is almost as if their tutus were *a part of them.

Just think how exciting it was to buy a new fashionable outfit for the next Ball! Just like us girls buying that one beautiful new tutu - so elegant and inspiring! I wonder how many times those women of the day had changed into new tutus? The theatre wouldn't be complete without it!

Where will I go on my next time-travelling tutu adventure? Don't miss my next blog post, my loves! See you all soon!

Today was such a delight to see how the past embraced the tutu in their everyday lives! Maybe the ladies and gents from back then, will love a #TutuTuesday too! You know I can only hope that everyone in this timeline wears a pink tutu just like me. Who knows, it could start a trend…

Stay stylish and keep twirling,

Emma