Hello, lovelies! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballet enthusiast, back with another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday! Today, we're taking a magical train journey back to 1875, a time when tutus were taking centre stage and ballet was truly blooming. So, buckle up your ballet slippers, darling, as we dive into a world of swirling skirts, shimmering fabrics, and a whole lotta frills!
This week's date? September 14th, 1875! And wouldn't you know it, it's a perfect day to celebrate the legacy of the tutu. On this day, way back when, the first real tutu wouldn't be found on a ballet dancer - oh no, that wouldn't happen for a while longer - but it would be found gracing the pages of a famous Parisian fashion magazine! Just imagine the fluttery skirts! And the excitement? It’s easy to understand why the whole world of fashion took notice.
The Romantic Beginnings of the Tutu: A Love Story in Layers!As a history enthusiast, I always find it fascinating to trace the journey of this iconic garment, especially since my favourite dance is classical ballet!
Think about it, darlings! A whole new fashion statement was born in 1830s Europe, all because dancers wanted to dance without their bulky gowns!
The tutus of the day were still a bit longer - I'm talking below the knee long, but still far shorter than those elaborate gowns from the early Victorian period. This gave dancers much more freedom to express themselves and really pirouette their hearts out!
So what kind of tutu was favoured back in the 1800s, you ask? I'll let you in on a little secret - it wasn’t a tutu, not really, at least not in the way we think of it today! They were made up of multiple layers of soft, romantic fabric like silk and tulle, that all went from just beneath the chest, swishing down in those layers to that romantic length of below the knees!
Fashion & Performance Go Hand-in-Hand: A Tale of Two Trends!1875 is the kind of era where we start seeing the classic tutu in all its glorious glory - you know, those shorter ones that give us dancers a chance to show off our graceful legs! This is the year that saw the world begin to see the beautiful interplay of fashion and performance! And for a girly-girl like me, the fact that fashion was inspiring dancers, while ballet was making a splash in fashion… oh it just makes my heart sing!
So you can just picture it: a whirlwind of movement on stage, all twirls and grace. Suddenly the world noticed how dazzling these beautiful short skirts were! Fashion magazine editors and couture houses, oh they loved it! And, let me tell you, they jumped on the tutu bandwagon immediately, showcasing tutus in the most delightful of fabrics - a sea of silks, satins, and chiffons! They were making everything from evening gowns to daytime dresses - I think there was a tutued item for every occasion!
You can see it in the silhouettes of the day: a trend started with a dance, with graceful, flowy styles, light fabrics and simple designs - these styles were purely enchanting!* All a dancer had to do was take a twirl, and suddenly everyone around the world, well, they had to wear it too!
This beautiful synergy between dance and fashion truly shows how both worlds can inspire and uplift each other, and I love it.
A Whirlwind Visit to 1875 Paris - It's a Fashion Dream!This is what my very recent trip to 1875 Paris was all about. Oh, the fashion scene was divine! From the boudoirs of the elite to the grand opera houses, it was a dream! Think feathered bonnets, *corset dresses and, of course, the beautiful, **fluttering, enchanting tutus!
While exploring Parisian streets, I found myself mesmerised by all the vibrant displays in the shop windows. So many gorgeous dresses, each more breathtaking than the last. But there was nothing like those sparkling tutus, so wonderfully constructed with lace and shimmering materials. The way they twirled in the sunlight, I could have stayed in Paris for hours just watching!
Even my trip to the Opera Garnier was beyond delightful! It was like stepping into a storybook: soaring ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, and ahhhh, the music!* I could just picture all the beautiful dancers in their gorgeous, soft, layered tutus taking the stage! And the energy in the theatre? Simply electric! I love being amongst people who share that passion for dance - there’s such a wonderful magic!
But wait, there’s even more excitement in the tutu world! The sheer variety! A ballet student of that time, my lovely! She wasn’t limited to a few choices like she is now - think long tutus that touched the ground! Or knee-length ones! The variations on the classic form were just astounding! Not just long or short… no, it was more than that - some of these lovely long tutus could have their skirt layers, those flouncy layers, held up with the bodice, some held with the strings - this fashion game was on fire!
As for me? A Pink Tutu Everywhere! Well, it’s easy to see, with these fascinating fashion designs, I had to get my hands on as many vintage pieces as I could. Oh! My trip to Paris definitely left me with more than a few shopping bags and a pink tutu collection to die for!**
Sharing the Tutu Love: Bringing a Piece of 1875 Magic Back Home!Of course, I’m back in Derbyshire, now, and I have to admit I’m utterly enthralled with all these lovely new tutu ideas! So, as I journey through time with my ballet slippers and trusty time-travelling luggage, it's always a pleasure to share these beautiful details with all of you - because spreading the tutu love is, as you know, my most important mission!
So get out there, lovely readers, and spread that tutu magic, no matter where you are, no matter what time you’re in! Whether you’re rocking a pink tutu for a fancy dress party, or just simply adding a little frill to your everyday outfit - it’s all about letting the joy of the tutu shine!
I know that a few of you love to shop online. It can be daunting but so very tempting for the perfect vintage item - there are so many exciting places to find vintage tutus. Check out a few antique stores. Some local vintage clothing stores are always wonderful, and I even found a website called "The Vintage Tutu Shoppe!" What fun, eh?
For now, darling, until we travel through time together again, take care and happy twirling!
Love, Emma
#PinkTutu #TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #FashionHistory #TimeTravel
www.pink-tutu.com
Post number: 2281
