Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballet enthusiast, ready to whisk you away on another adventure in tutu history. This week, we’re twirling back to 1895! It’s Tuesday, so you know what that means: time to explore the wondrous world of the ballet tutu. And today, my lovely readers, we’re headed straight to the heart of Paris, a city that breathes, dances, and twirls in rhythm with its own vibrant heartbeat.
1895 was a fascinating time, my dears! The world was on the cusp of major changes. The industrial revolution was in full swing, changing the way we lived and worked, but elegance and artistry were still at the forefront of society's pursuits. The waltz was still all the rage, and society ladies were absolutely obsessed with showcasing their grace and poise at elegant balls. Of course, this meant a flourishing interest in the enchanting world of ballet.
As you all know, dear readers, ballet is more than just graceful pirouettes and beautiful jumps. It’s a story, a visual poem told with our bodies, and it demands garments that express that story with every plié, every grand jeté, and every pas de deux.
So, what did ballerinas look like in 1895? Picture this, darlings: delicate tutus crafted from billowing layers of white tulle. These early tutus, more romantic than the dramatic ones we see today, still clung to the shape of the body, allowing for fluidity of movement and showcasing the dancer’s every elegant extension. The emphasis was on ethereal beauty, a feeling of being barely there, like a dream spun into silk and tulle.
Think of ballerinas like the exquisite Marie Taglioni, a true icon of this period, the legendary La Sylphide, whose delicate grace and elegant lines inspired the Romantic Ballet era. Imagine her twirling and gliding on stage, a vision of ethereal beauty. That is exactly the effect these romantic tutus aimed to achieve!
And talking about Marie Taglioni, isn’t it just amazing, darlings, that even now, in 2023, the magic of that graceful artistry, those delicate tutus and exquisite dancing, still resonates through time?
What a lovely thought, isn’t it?
However, there's more to the tutu story of 1895! It was a time when tutus were not only seen on stage, but becoming increasingly popular off-stage as well, particularly in the fashionable circles of the Belle Époque era.
And let’s face it, darlings, there’s no better way to celebrate a balletic love than to add a bit of graceful tulle to our everyday style!
Now, here’s the fascinating part - and I must share this with you – it’s not the tutu itself but what was worn underneath that really takes this style into a whole other dimension. Corsets, those darling fashion staples of the Victorian era, were absolutely vital to the ballerina of the time. Imagine it, my dears: those corseted silhouettes! Imagine a beautiful gown, with a romantic puff sleeve, tightly laced in the bodice and then – voila! – the tutu falls around it with elegant grace. Oh, it’s so romantic! It’s the epitome of Victorian feminine elegance.
And don’t forget about the colours! The colour of 1895, my dear readers, is pink! Oh, it’s such a darling colour, the ultimate expression of feminine energy. It makes me think of graceful swans, dancing with perfect poise and delicacy. So of course, darling readers, I had to find a pink tutu in this beautiful period for you to admire. It's exquisite! It has such a delightful floaty feel, perfect for swirling and twirling – and, just a little secret, I may have found it nestled amongst the luxurious silks of the grand Parisian department stores. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone.
My lovely readers, my heart leaps with excitement each time I step through a time portal, arriving in a bygone era. I couldn’t imagine anything more fulfilling than this. My passion for ballet fuels my travel and vice-versa.
And my next stop, you ask? Oh, why, it’s a trip back in time to 1926. My dear readers, can you imagine what an absolutely deliciously chic era that is going to be? I already feel a wave of pink energy pulling me forward to discover what those dancers and those tutus look like, and most of all to see if my darling, my darling, darling pink tutu fits right in!
But that's for next week's #TutuTuesday, my darlings. Now, let’s keep on dancing. Remember to subscribe to my blog so you never miss a delightful time-travel adventure. Until then, happy twirling!
Lots of love,
Emma xx
P.S. Did you enjoy today’s #TutuTuesday? Let me know what your favorite historical periods are in the comments. Are you ready to take a step back in time with me, too? Let's talk all things tutu and ballet in the comments! And don’t forget, every day can be a #TutuTuesday if you have the heart for it, darlings.
This post was also a fun reminder to me about the exciting and fascinating history of the tutu and that ballet isn’t just a pretty face!
