Hello darlings! It’s Emma, your favourite tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink-Tutu.com!
It’s #TutuTuesday, and I'm positively bursting with excitement because we’re diving back in time to December 5th, 1876, a date I can hardly wait to share with you.
This blog post marks our whopping #2345th journey through time, and each one is a grand adventure, don’t you agree? I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do a time jump with a full tutu - let's just say the historical impact can be…interesting. But I’m getting better at it! 😉
Before we go whizzing back to Victorian London, just a little update on yours truly - I just had the most splendid time at a charity performance for the local ballet school. It was such a grand evening! They even had a lovely raffle where I won a pair of stunning blush pink ballet slippers! Just imagine my joy - perfect for a night of pirouette practice! 💖 But, my darling, on to today’s trip back to 1876…
👠 London's Dancing Lights 👠So, picture this - the gas lamps are casting their soft golden glow onto London's streets. The chilly December air whispers through the city, carrying the scent of chimney smoke and cinnamon from the bakeries.
For me, there’s nothing more captivating than London. The grand avenues lined with imposing buildings, the elegant carriages whisking by, the stylish ladies adorned in bonnets and rustling skirts – it’s pure enchantment!
And you know what else adds to that magic? It’s December 5th, which means Christmas is right around the corner! 🎄 London is alive with festive energy! Shops are decorated with twinkling lights, children sing carols in the street, and the aroma of roasted chestnuts and mince pies fills the air. But more importantly for me, it also means the ballet season has begun!
The Royal Opera House, the heart of London’s theatre scene, is radiating that distinctive excitement we ballerinas love - you know, the buzz of anticipation just before the curtain goes up. Today's performance is "The Sleeping Beauty," a magical story, which will whisk everyone away to a world of fantasy and grace. It’s truly one of my all-time favourites! I'm absolutely giddy just thinking about it!
A Bit of History on the Dance 🩰
But, darlings, before we get swept away in the spectacle, let’s have a little historical talk, shall we? The ballet at this time in 1876 is a far cry from what we see today! The tutus were heavier, and often they even came with the “cage” effect - imagine tiny, stiff, white or pink fabric ribbons going out like a halo of white, held by rings. It wasn’t exactly as easy to leap or turn in them! You wouldn't catch me in that! But then again, their purpose was different.
You see, ballet then was less about acrobatic moves and more about the classic, elegant steps. The ballerinas were like porcelain dolls on pointe. There were beautiful steps, but there were also much more rigid traditions. It was about the elegant pose and the flow of movements rather than powerful athleticism. And the tutus, while lovely in their own way, were really more for decoration and grandeur. I find them slightly stifling to think about! I like a little bit of ‘go!’ when I dance!
My Tutus, My Rules
I personally, as you all know, absolutely adore tutus! I'm a huge advocate for finding your own style! Pink, purple, rainbow - it’s all about what makes your heart dance! As for my time-travelling tutu, I confess, it takes some planning. Sometimes I need to adjust my colour choices! For a 1950s Hollywood event, bright fuchsia would just not do. I might need to opt for something with a softer, gentler shade, perhaps even a charming lavender or a delicate baby pink!
I find a good tutu is about confidence and grace. It says, “look at me, I am ready to twirl through the world!” And, of course, it never fails to get you the best table at any tea party - trust me on that, darling! 😉
Back to 1876 - the most delightful feature of the Royal Opera House in my era are those beautiful Victorian chandeliers, shimmering with hundreds of crystals, like so many little diamonds raining down light. It makes me feel like I’ve walked into a fairytale, a palace of dance!
What’s Hot on the Fashion Scene
Speaking of fashion, what's really fascinating is the transformation in ladies' clothing. Take for example this 1876 fashion. It’s a delightful world of bustle gowns and wide, full skirts, often adorned with silk, satin and lace. Ladies carried lace-covered parasols and were absolutely enthralled by jewelry! The heavier, the better. Pearls, jewels - anything that sparkled! The fashion is a beautiful echo of the grand theatre and the dazzling performances. It’s no wonder my wardrobe is always so full!
🚄 A Quick Word on Travel! 🚄
Speaking of travelling, do you love train journeys like I do? You can really feel the excitement of heading for the grand capital when you're hurtling through the countryside. I love watching the landscape blur outside my window - I feel a sense of freedom as if anything is possible, just like a ballerina preparing to soar across the stage! I also find it's the perfect opportunity for a good old-fashioned dress-up session! What's the best travel style, my dear readers? Tell me in the comments!
The Little Touches
Tonight's London feels even more alive, more buzzing, as it is brimming with people looking for the extraordinary. And honestly, isn’t it the same in our time too? I have discovered that people, no matter what the century, want that bit of magic, a chance to lose themselves in a good story, be swept away to a fantastical land, a land of dancing ladies and dashing knights! That's why, in my book, ballet will never be out of fashion.
And now, my darling, it’s time for me to step out! I can already feel the magic starting to ripple around me, just waiting to transport me into this story-book world. Remember to pop back and tell me all about your thoughts on our little trip back to 1876 - was it everything you hoped for? And tell me, what is YOUR favorite tutu memory? Do tell!
Until next Tuesday, let’s all dance into a wonderful week, shall we? 🩰
Your Pink-Tutu-loving friend,
Emma.
#TutuTuesday #pinktutu #ballet #1876 #london #historicalfashion #victorianfashion #history #dancing #theatre #christmas
