Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another installment of my #TutuTuesday blog. Today, we're going back in time to the magical year of 1883, where tutus were taking the stage by storm! It's hard to imagine ballet without a twirling tutu, but I have to confess, tutus didn't exactly leap onto the scene in all their fluffy glory. They evolved through a charming history of experimentation, so let's journey back to 1883, a time when elegance and a love of movement were just taking flight!
A Whirlwind of Style
This past Tuesday, I stepped out in a beautiful Victorian-inspired, light pink, three-layered tulle tutu, perfect for dancing around the cobbled streets of London! Speaking of London, you won't be surprised to hear it was a hub of ballet, with some of the most spectacular performances taking place there.
But before I talk about London's glittering ballet scene, let's go back to my absolute favourite topic – tutus! Oh, my sweet lovelies, the tutus of 1883 were just dreamy! Imagine a world where ballerinas graced the stage in delicate silk dresses, embellished with graceful lace. Not the billowing tulle creations we see today! Imagine dainty, billowing, diaphanous dresses that made ballerinas look like delicate petals swaying in the breeze. Just stunning!
The Rise of the Ballet Tutu
We must travel back to the early nineteenth century for the dawn of the ballet tutu, a period marked by revolution and innovation, not only in politics and science, but also in the arts.
At this time, a trend emerged: the embrace of flowing, light clothing, reflecting a desire for liberation and a shift from heavy, restricting attire. The first tutus were born out of these evolving fashion trends.
Think of those glorious dancers twirling in a soft, calf-length white skirt, often a skirt in the style of a crinolined petticoat. This style offered dancers more freedom to move and allowed them to highlight the captivating ballet steps that had been developing at that time.
1883: A Time for Tutu Perfection!
Now, let's fast-forward to the year 1883. Ah, 1883! A time when elegant ballet shows in Europe were simply captivating. The ballerinas wore elegant silk skirts, the first iteration of the romantic ballet style that had arrived just a few years before.
Let's Dance through Time
Let's talk about my journey! I arrived here in 1883 by train from Derbyshire. It was an incredible adventure, riding in a comfortable compartment with other lovely ladies. I brought along my vintage steamer trunk filled with fabulous dresses, perfect for London society.
What do you think the world would be like if everyone wore a pink tutu, darling? I’m dreaming of the day when we can all walk through the streets in our own tutus, twirling through life, feeling beautiful and free!
That’s all for this week, my lovelies. Remember, you can check out the previous editions of the #TutuTuesday series here: www.pink-tutu.com.
Next Tuesday, I will tell you more about what was going on in London, with the most fascinating updates from the world of dance! Don't forget to give me a wave on your way to the ballet. You’re all darling!
Stay fabulous! Emma
P.S. What are you wearing to the ballet this week? Let me know in the comments! 💕
