Hello darlings, and welcome to another exciting Tuesday on the ever-so-pink pink-tutu.com. Today, we’re venturing back in time, back to the 1870s! Can you imagine a world without Lycra, without modern pointe shoes? It makes my head spin just thinking about it!
Now, imagine yourself on 7th March 1876, a beautiful Spring day. You’re strolling down the bustling streets of Paris (the fashion capital of the world, as we all know!) You spot a gorgeous little shop window with elegant gowns and lace... but what really catches your eye is a Tutu!
Well, perhaps it wouldn't quite be the tutu as we know it. The term 'tutu' hadn't really come about just yet! They were referred to as 'skirt dancers' outfits, 'ballets skirts' or even 'dancing dress'. But imagine, a wispy, lacy, tiered skirt, in pale silks and chiffons - perfect for pirouettes!
I know, the idea of a tutu as a fashion item is exciting right? In fact, if you imagine an early form of the Romantic ballet's tutus, that’s exactly what happened.
These graceful skirts were designed to showcase the beauty and fluidity of movement, so different from the heavily decorated and restricted skirts worn for other performances. They were much lighter and more graceful. It would be a joy to twirl in those early tutus, wouldn't it?
Let's talk about the 1870s BalletLet's dive deeper into that 1870s ballet world. The focus was very much on the expression of romantic and sentimental tales. Imagine swans, spirits, sylphs, and nymphs taking to the stage! So much romance!
My dear fellow tutu-lovers, we're actually on a special date in ballet history. The year 1876 saw the opening of La Bayadère by Marius Petipa, and my oh my, did it leave its mark! It brought in dramatic stories, elaborate costumes (I just bet those ‘ballets skirts’ looked divine), and powerful emotions. Oh, how I long to see this classic! If only my time machine could whisk me away to the 1870s just to see a performance!
Of course, with any time travelling I do, I always indulge in the latest fashion. While I love a trip to a London vintage shop, it would be wonderful to browse the shops of Paris in 1876! Imagine, browsing amongst all those elegant Parisian shops, seeing how those ‘ballets skirts’ would look paired with elegant dresses. Just thinking about it sets my heart aflutter!
Speaking of Parisian shops, a tiny snippet about fashion for 1876 on the 7th March : Ladies, you wouldn’t be able to leave your home without a corset, a very full bustle, a jacket in a fashionable ‘puff-sleeve’, or some long gloves (they came in fashionable stripes - just divine!), and of course, a hat, an elaborate hat with ostrich plumes.
But you know what would have truly completed their outfit? Yes, one of those graceful ‘ballets skirts’. It’s a wonderful image, don’t you think? Imagine a Parisian lady going out, dressed to the nines, a bit like one of those beautiful ballet dancers - oh, my dear friends, fashion then was something truly magical. I would have loved to be there!
And here is something else we need to mention! The fashion influence from the ballets and those dancing outfits – yes! They’re starting to permeate wider society! This is wonderful! And I do love to think of those little tutus bringing an air of graceful beauty and elegance to the everyday lives of ordinary women! How utterly wonderful! It’s like our love of tutus transcends time, doesn’t it? Oh, my tutu-loving heart is full!
That’s it, darlings! We’ll be back next Tuesday for another blast into the past, with more of my favourite ballet fashion history moments.
Have a splendid week, and remember to Wear A Tutu Today!
Sending you tutu love!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
