Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday post, fresh from my latest time-traveling adventure! I'm writing this from the heart of Paris, the city of love, lights, and oh-so-much fashion.
And of course, the tutu. You simply can't think of ballet without this iconic garment.
Today, I'm stepping back in time, right to 29th May, 1900! Now, imagine a time before the glorious explosion of tutu styles we have today. This was a time when the tutu was a lot simpler – think romantic and flowing, like a cloud of gossamer.
Oh, how I love those vintage, whisper-thin tutus! They just breathe elegance, and their graceful silhouette makes even the most awkward move seem poetic.
I'm channeling those vibes right now, wearing a lovely, pale pink tutu I picked up in a little vintage shop, a splash of colour amongst all these beautiful historical Parisian buildings. Speaking of which, let's talk about Paris in 1900 – the City of Light was already glittering, thanks to the recent Exposition Universelle! The world had come to Paris to showcase its most incredible inventions and discoveries, and guess what?
Ballet was one of the hottest things on the programme!
The grand Palais de l'Élysée held spectacular ballet performances, featuring iconic ballerinas and some of the most sought-after dancers of the era. Imagine me, Emma the time traveler, taking in these performances – a little English rose from Derbyshire amongst the Parisian crowds. The music, the swirling movements, and those gorgeous costumes - it’s enough to give any girl goosebumps, trust me!
And did I mention the fashion?! In Paris, the style was simply breathtaking. Edwardian fashion, elegant and intricate, dominated the streets and ballrooms with its layers of lace, silk, and the signature figure-hugging corsets.
Oh, and remember my love of all things pink? The women were wearing this delicate shade in droves, with swathes of pale pink ribbons adorning everything from bonnets to ball gowns. Pink tutus in this time period, sadly, were not quite a thing yet, but one can always dream, right? 😉
It’s amazing to think how ballet and fashion are so beautifully intertwined, a tale as old as time. Just imagine what might have inspired these groundbreaking early tutus. Some whispers claim that tutus originally resembled a very different kind of attire! Can you believe that they actually came from men’s attire – a specific kind of white knee-length breeches?!
I must confess, I would have had to twist my arm to fit myself into a pair of those – a tiny little dancer like me would have got lost in them! But in this pre-WWI era, when ‘romantic’ was the name of the game in the arts and the style scene, dancers adopted a version of these breeches, which morphed into the long, flowing tutu we know and love today.
Over time, the tutu’s evolution has mirrored our own cultural and artistic journey. Think about the changing lines – those flowing bell shapes, those sculpted conical skirts, all reflecting the fashion trends of their day.
This trip to the dawn of the 20th century was truly a blast from the past! But even though fashion has evolved so much, you can still find inspiration in these early designs. They represent the essence of ballet, an art form as beautiful and timeless as a well-crafted tutu.
Now, off I go – I’ve got to catch a train to another period, another adventure! But first, a quick detour to the shops! You see, Paris isn’t just about tutus, it’s also about shopping for some fabulous fashion! And it just so happens, tomorrow is 30th May - and that means…. you guessed it! It’s Paris’ annual “Fete de la Musique” festival, filled with live music performances. How lucky! My ears, and my heart, are definitely in for a treat!
Now, it’s your turn! I’d love to know, what’s your favourite style of tutu? Let me know in the comments and share your thoughts on my latest time-traveling tutu adventure! And don’t forget to follow me on social media to join the fun!
Until next #TutuTuesday! XOXO Emma
#pinktutu #tututuesday #ballettutuhistory #timetravel #paris #vintagefashion #fetedelamusique #dancing
