Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you back in time, to 1892, specifically the 28th of June to be exact. Today's #TutuTuesday is extra special as I've just popped out of my time-traveling tutu, feeling utterly inspired! Imagine the wonders I saw in my travels!
This time around, my travels took me to…wait for it… Paris! What better place to find yourself on 28th June, 1892, than in the heart of the city of lights? Just the thought of strolling along the boulevards in my fabulous pink tutu, admiring the sights and soaking in the atmosphere, sends a shiver down my spine - the best kind of shiver, of course!
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Paris? 1892? Isn't that a tad before our much-loved tutus made a grand entrance on the ballet stage? Well, my dear readers, hold on to your tutus, because the truth is, the evolution of this iconic dance garment has some pretty delightful twists and turns. It’s an ongoing saga of how, time and time again, designers find a way to blend style with performance and, in doing so, they create a masterpiece of artistry and engineering.
Just because we think of tutus as purely "modern", doesn't mean their predecessors were not present long ago. It's all about evolution. As with many great fashions, it's a dance between eras, styles, and people that have transformed a basic concept into something absolutely magical!
Let's delve into some fun facts about dancewear during this historical period:
Fashion: A Balancing Act Think corsets, long, flowing skirts, and the ever-so-popular bustle. Ladies wore quite a bit of fabric – enough to make even a seasoned tutu-wearer feel a tad overwhelmed. Ballet, like every art form, is tied to the styles and tastes of its time. The romanticism of this era influenced even the way dancers moved. It wasn't quite the grand jeté we see today; more elegant and lyrical, it demanded a fluidity of motion and an expression of emotional depth, very much in keeping with the era’s sentiments.
Underneath It All While the full tutus, those whimsical mounds of tulle we love, hadn’t graced the stage just yet, dancers wore a similar, shorter skirt, almost like a ballet-length variation. Imagine it as a more subdued and delicate form of the glorious pink tutu. This skirt offered some movement while allowing for grace and fluidity – a wonderful combination that makes our hearts go pitter-patter, don't you think?
It's a Shoe-in It’s an amazing time for dance shoes too. Dancers started sporting saddle shoes around this period. These were the predecessors of pointe shoes. I have to say, though, those early pointe shoes were a far cry from what our ballerinas wear today.
Back to the City of Love: My Parisian Adventures
Speaking of adventures, Paris is simply bursting with cultural delights. It was a pleasure to hop off the train (trains are my favorite way to travel, of course, they add a little touch of romance!) and experience its lively cafes, museums, and shops. If you could travel through time with me, we'd stroll the charming streets together. Imagine indulging in delicious pastries (the ones with fluffy buttercream and exquisite flavors!) while watching street performers in front of ornate buildings. I found myself wandering through art museums, admiring famous paintings that would become the hallmark of this period - imagine all the inspiring art! I would've loved to sit in on some of the musical performances, experiencing the operas, ballets, and dramatic pieces they had to offer back in 1892. Oh, wouldn't it be simply divine?
Don't Forget To Shop! As any self-respecting tutu enthusiast knows, a trip to Paris simply wouldn't be complete without a delightful shopping spree. The fashionable Parisians wore attire that oozed elegance and style, and what a joy it was to just to observe it all - I picked up a gorgeous hand-stitched shawl myself and some gorgeous lace gloves - very practical, very stylish! A quick visit to one of the famous department stores brought me all sorts of elegant and whimsical accessories - so lovely to look back and reminisce! Paris really is the capital of the beautiful!
Let's Talk Tutus
Of course, it’s always tutu-licious to talk about tutus! It’s exciting to think about how much time has passed and how our tutus have come to symbolize grace and artistry. You can see the passion behind the tutu – a symbol of our joy, our femininity, and our love of dance! Whether it’s a ballet performance, a festive occasion, or even a whimsical day in your backyard, a tutu always brightens your world. So keep on rocking your pink tutus and never be afraid to embrace the whimsical beauty of this remarkable garment. Remember, the world needs more pink!
That's all for this #TutuTuesday, lovelies. Until next time, remember, life is an endless opportunity to wear something fabulously fun, especially in a tutu. Don’t forget to subscribe to the www.pink-tutu.com blog for more #TutuTuesday historical blog posts. Don't forget to share your love of the pink tutu on your social media with your fellow tutu enthusiasts. Keep it light, keep it pink!
Hugs and tutus,
Emma
