Hello my darlings! Emma here, back for another Tutu Tuesday and I am so excited about today’s journey! We’re going all the way back to the 1880s, and oh my, let me tell you, the tutus are something special! Imagine yourself waltzing around the opulent theatres of Paris or London, surrounded by shimmering gaslight, your pink tulle swishing with each graceful turn… I am positively swooning just thinking about it!
As we travel through the ages, remember to keep in mind that the humble tutu, though now considered iconic, was in its nascent stages in this era. It was still finding its voice and shape! Back then, the ballet world favoured more voluminous and elaborate skirts, inspired by the fashions of the day, featuring layers of tulle and crinoline, perfect for whirling around like a dreamy, ethereal cloud! It’s easy to imagine a ballet performance being just as captivating as a fashion show!
But now, fasten your tiaras and grab a cuppa (tea in my favourite floral teacup of course!), it's time for a deep dive into the fascinating world of tutu history!
November 11th, 1884: The Stage is Set
Imagine for a moment: November 11th, 1884. It’s a crisp, chilly evening and I’m bundled up in a divine pink coat, with a delightful fluffy boa to top it off, ready for a grand evening at the ballet! London is buzzing with excitement - the theatres are overflowing with theatre-goers, the air crackling with anticipation.
For this evening, we can find ourselves at London’s Covent Garden, home to the Royal Opera House! This venerable theatre has been witnessing the beauty of ballet for generations! If we were lucky enough to see a performance tonight, we would see the likes of the Italian ballerina, Virginia Zucchi. She was a darling of the stage, her incredible skill and charisma mesmerizing everyone in the audience! The dancers were truly stars, loved for their artistry and glamour, setting the stage for future ballerinas to come.
Fashion and Fun: Embracing the Tutu of the 1880s!
Now, I simply must tell you about the dresses and tutus of the time. A fashionista's dream, darling! Forget your simple ballerina looks today, imagine intricate details, elegant bodices, layers upon layers of tulle - simply magnificent! They weren’t quite the precise design we see in ballet today, but they were absolutely enchanting, featuring tiers and flounces, creating that airy, ethereal feeling of a gentleman’s dream! The costumes for this era of dance were the very definition of ‘ballroom meets ballet.’ A romantic spectacle!
My favourite style, however, had to be the romantic ‘Roman’ tunic, worn as the upper garment for dance performances. This graceful tunic, designed with elegant draped lines, would be styled with the now famous *‘leg-of-mutton’ sleeves, * perfectly capturing the fashion of the times, and truly showing off the silhouette of the ballerinas!
Oh, and can we please talk about the exquisite ballet shoes?! Made from kid leather or satin, these beauties could be seen in pale pinks, pearl greys, even creamy ivory. You could even find them with ribbons galore and delicate silk rosettes! Truly perfect for every ballerina’s needs!
A Pink Tutu's Paradise
Oh darling, my imagination runs wild with all the possibilities when I envision these historical ballets and their lovely costumes. What wonderful garments, with their feminine and romantic shapes, echoing the beauty of the ballet itself. If you look carefully in a vintage shop or even an old picture book, you'll be delighted by the charming styles of the day - I have my favourite book at home filled with wonderful 1880s costume drawings - and some beautiful pastel colours too, naturally!
Taking Ballet Back to the Basics:
Perhaps one of the most wonderful things about revisiting ballet history is seeing how its fundamental elements have endured. Whether it's the grace of a dancer’s movements or the artistry of the choreography, the essence of ballet stays constant! It’s the magic that makes ballet so enchanting, a timeless spectacle to witness.
As I continue to delve deeper into the wonderful world of tutu history, I can’t help but think that it all started somewhere! The story of the tutu is an intriguing journey, like the travels through time I take for my blog, each step, each historical detail giving us more insight into this fabulous world of ballet and fashion!
Stay tuned, my dearest readers, for even more tutu delights and fashion explorations in the coming weeks. And remember, whether you’re a ballet fan, a history buff, or simply love a good bit of girly flair, you can never have too much pink in your life!
Until next time, remember: a pink tutu never fails to put a smile on your face, and let's work on that mission to make a pink tutu universally accepted, one Tutu Tuesday at a time! 💕
And darling, don't forget, there is always time for a little bit of pink magic in our lives, regardless of the century we're in. Now, how about a dance to celebrate this gorgeous Tuesday, with our beloved pink tutus? 😉
