Hello, my darling tutu lovers! It’s your favourite pink-obsessed ballerina blogger Emma here, and welcome to post number 3058 of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History series. This week, I'm transporting us back to a time when tutus were beginning to bloom like a delicate pink rose. Yes, darling, we're going back to the magical year of 1890, the year when the Romantic tutu was really taking centre stage!
My trusty time-travelling train tickets whisked me straight to Paris, the very epicentre of tutu fashion back then. As soon as I stepped out of the station, the streets were filled with an air of elegance and refined excitement – the kind that only Paris could evoke! The chic Parisian ladies, with their feathered bonnets and extravagant gowns, seemed almost as much a part of the scenery as the graceful towers of Notre Dame. But I wasn't here for fashion - I was on a mission, my darlings. I wanted to discover the origins of the Romantic tutu.
In 1890, tutus were already evolving beyond the voluminous, floor-sweeping skirts of the 18th century. Ballet had gone through a thrilling metamorphosis. The "Romantic tutu" was coming into its own. This tutu, oh my, it was a dream come true! Lighter and shorter than its predecessors, it skimmed the legs, ending at the knee, creating a vision of sheer loveliness and movement. Imagine a ballerina with flowing, ethereal fabric twirling around her legs as she performs – pure magic, isn't it?
A Step Back in Time: Romantic Era Dance
We need to understand why this "Romantic tutu" came about. The late 19th century, known as the Romantic era, was all about emotions. Ballet started to reflect these emotions. It was no longer just about the intricate steps; it was about telling a story, expressing love and passion, creating a fantasy world. And to create this world, ballet needed a new kind of costume, a costume that could evoke this newfound grace, this yearning for a different world.
Enter, my lovelies, the Romantic tutu! With its airy lightness, it could capture every single movement. A twirl became a fleeting wisp of gossamer, a leap became a joyous flight, a delicate pas de bourrée became a beautiful flow of light and grace. The dancers weren't just performing a dance – they were becoming a living fairytale.
My Romantic Ballet Debut: A London Show
This journey back in time gave me the most wonderful idea, my darlings! Why not try on a Romantic tutu myself? My heart, you know it, already fluttered at the thought. Of course, no time travel would be complete without a trip to the theatre, so after a most decadent breakfast of pastries and tea (yes, I indulge sometimes!), I made my way to London's Royal Opera House. I couldn't have been more excited to step back into time and enjoy a ballet performance at the grand Covent Garden Theatre – the pinnacle of elegant theatre experiences back then.
I must admit, my darlings, the show had me completely mesmerised! The dancers, clothed in beautiful Romantic tutus, gracefully swirled and leaped across the stage. The stories were dramatic and powerful – filled with longing, love, and sacrifice. I even spotted some pink, but mostly the ballet dancers at that time favored white. I think they liked to create a magical, mystical look. It is so glamorous. Maybe in the future I will go back in time and ask the dancers to wear a little more pink – what do you think? But for now, my dear, we're in the Romantic era.
I must say, there's something captivating about the sheer elegance of this particular style of tutu. They remind me that beauty can be found in simplicity – like a rose with only a few petals. It doesn’t take a hundred layers to capture the grace of the ballerina, just a soft whisper of fabric. That is true artistry!
Where Do I Buy A Romantic Tutu?
My friends, the best part of my Parisian adventure was discovering that a true Parisian treasure exists. This delightful, hidden atelier near the Seine was absolutely bursting with the most enchanting Romantic tutus! I, of course, was absolutely besotted! They even let me try a couple on – such an unforgettable moment! The way it flowed and whispered around me as I spun felt as though I was a princess from a storybook! The soft layers and light fabric of these tutus, darling, are a must have for anyone who truly loves ballet, and let me tell you, I just love this Parisian touch to these Romantic tutus.
What To Wear Now In This Time
You don’t need a time machine, darling, to have a bit of Romantic tutu flair in your wardrobe. You could channel that soft femininity in the style of the Romantic Era by layering a light and flowing skirt over a skirt of contrasting texture and colour, think chiffon and lace. The Romantic tutu's lightness and airiness inspired dresses with puffy sleeves and ribbons and delicate jewellery. We may even be able to take this a step further and combine our Romantic tutu dreams with the fashions of this era, why not! Let’s have some fun – and you could add a bit of pink! Remember, every ballerina dreams in pink!
Back to the Future
Well, darling, I've had an utterly fabulous time traveling back in time, but I must say, I love tutus in every era! And the history of tutus is so fascinating! We can look back to learn about where tutus came from, but it’s really how we wear them today that matters! If we look ahead, my dream is for every woman on the planet to experience the pure joy of wearing a pink tutu at least once. After all, every woman deserves a sprinkle of tutu magic in their life, don’t you think? It's all about embracing the inner ballerina that we all have!
Next week, my darlings, I'm whisking us off on another #TutuTuesday journey, so come back next Tuesday for more fabulous ballet history. Don’t forget to follow my Instagram for my tutu-inspired outfit posts and updates! See you then, my dear tutu lovers!
And now, darling, until next time, please share your thoughts about this week’s #TutuTuesday – have you ever worn a tutu? If so, how do you wear it and when? And what kind of tutus are your absolute favorites? Don’t forget to wear a pink tutu to our next ballet event at the ballet!
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. And remember, every ballerina has an amazing tutu-filled life in her. Don't just dream about wearing one, do it! Embrace your inner ballerina!
