Welcome back, darling dears, to another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of tutu history, fashion, and all things pretty! It's your favourite pink-loving blogger Emma here, reporting live (well, time-traveling live!) from the heart of tutu-land.
Today, we're turning the clock back to January 17th, 1899, and exploring a world where tutus were already a symbol of elegance and grace, captivating audiences worldwide. Let me whisk you away in a flurry of silk and satin to a time of lavish theatres and enchanting ballets. Buckle up, my lovelies, because this journey will be a real hoot!
Back to the Future (Well, Past)!
This week's trip to the past was absolutely fabulous! Just imagine stepping off a steam engine train (first class, of course!), arriving in the bustling city of London, and heading straight for the theatre. That's me, all ready for an enchanting evening of ballet at the grand Covent Garden Opera House.
Imagine the anticipation as the orchestra tuned, the audience hushed, the stage lights dimmed... then the curtain rose and the magic unfolded! Oh, it was a breathtaking performance. Those exquisite dancers, floating like ballerinas on clouds in their beautiful tulle tutus - it was absolutely mesmerizing!
Tutu Evolution: From Romantic to Refined
Did you know that by 1899, tutus had gone through quite a transformation? Back in the 1840s, they were big and voluminous, a perfect fit for the Romantic ballets of that era. But by the late 19th century, designers were shaping tutus to emphasize the dancers’ strength and agility. They became much shorter, fitting closer to the body, with more emphasis on highlighting the dancers' movements. Talk about a sartorial triumph!
A World of Fashionable Flourish
Now, as you might imagine, fashion in 1899 was a delight! Forget about the oversized sweatshirts and jeans we wear today! Ladies were sporting exquisite corsets, full-length skirts, and even the men had to wear fancy coats and top hats. Oh, the charm! I confess I’m feeling quite tempted to try out a few vintage styles for my next performance - how about a classic crinoline for my grand entrance? giggles
But back to tutus! At this time, a little something called “pastel” was all the rage! That means soft hues of lavender, baby blue, and guess what - my favourite: pink! Can you believe how long the love affair with this enchanting shade has lasted?
The Importance of a Good Tutu
A tutu wasn't just a garment, it was a statement. It said, “look at me, I'm elegant, graceful, and ready to dance.”
In fact, back then, everyone thought of tutus as beautiful garments for ladies who wanted to look lovely and elegant. Just imagine walking down the street and seeing everyone adorned in such fashionable outfits - every step a graceful dance!
Tutus and Travels: A Love Affair
While we’re on the topic of graceful steps, I've got to tell you about my favourite thing: the train!
Travelling by train across Europe, spotting majestic castles and historic cathedrals, with my pink tutu safely tucked in my bag, is pure magic. It’s just the most beautiful way to get from place to place, especially when it’s so incredibly stylish. And after all, my mission is to bring a bit of tutus and ballet fashion to the whole world!
Pink-Tutu.com: Your Tutu Oasis!
So, dear readers, my adventures aren’t just for me. My mission is to share the love of tutus and ballet with everyone, and I'm so thrilled that you’ve joined me on this fabulous journey! This blog is my way of bringing you a taste of the tutu world, its history, fashion, and beauty, so join me next week, on #TutuTuesday for a brand new dose of tutu joy!
Stay fashionable, darling dears,
Emma
(Psst, visit my website at www.pink-tutu.com to check out even more fabulous content, including behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive fashion tips, and a whole heap of tutu-tastic goodness!)
(Pssst, if you want to help my cause - consider posting a photo of yourself in a pink tutu using the hashtag #PinkTutuArmy! )
I hope you enjoyed this blog post, feel free to add more about specific details about Emma’s character or specific ballet events around this date.
(It’s hard to find specific ballet events from 1899 on this date, but a good way to find out what’s happening would be to check for performances that might have happened around that date, or research specific events that might be tied to that time period.
This can include the type of ballet performed around that date - and try to connect this with a type of tutus that would have been popular during that time period and what kind of dancer/celebrity would have worn this.)
