Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your resident tutu-loving time traveler, here with another #TutuTuesday blog post! Iâve just hopped off the Orient Express, and let me tell you, those velvet seats are as comfortable as a cloud⊠although they definitely donât give you the same grace as a tutu, you understand? Anyway, I'm back in time, and oh my goodness, the fashions! So, grab a cuppa and a biscuit (we'll have a slice of Victoria Sponge later!), as we waltz through December 13th, 1904, and explore the wonderful world of ballet tutus⊠from a very fashionable perspective, of course!
Parisian Flair:Today I'm in Paris! Itâs always an absolute dream! The cobbled streets, the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the evening, the scent of croissants and perfume⊠pure enchantment! And letâs not forget the ballet, the reason for my visit! Oh, the opulence, the grandeur, the movement! The Paris Opera is an absolute must-see, with the ballet taking center stage, and what a sight it is! But today we are taking a look back in time, before those magical tutus we see today!
Imagine the stage! The air hums with the anticipatory chatter of a Parisian crowd as the orchestra strikes up the opening bars. In 1904, tutus are still in their romantic stage, think of a much longer skirt with a few layers! In the 19th century, tutu lengths had been a tad longer - think Victorian modesty, I suppose. But these romantic tutus were much shorter than before! And do you know what? They're gorgeous. These long, flowing layers are all about swirling movement. Think of those beautiful arabesques and ethereal pas de bourrée, I practically want to be in the tutu on stage myself!
These romantic tutus are made of pale colours â imagine ballet dancers swishing and twirling in creams and light pinks! So dainty! So feminine! Such elegant, graceful, fluid movement, they look like heavenly clouds dancing in the breeze! A ballerina dressed in one of these tutus looks like a mythical being, floating across the stage!
Tutu Style:Speaking of style, don't forget about the look - oh darling, there's nothing like the romantic je ne sais quoi of a 1904 Parisian ballerina! Itâs an ensemble all its own: A simple white chemise (a type of camisole worn with these tutus), with a lace-trimmed bodice to finish the look, oh and a lovely sash â donât forget that touch of whimsy! And, of course, those delicate satin shoes that twinkle under the stage lights! Oh, what a breathtakingly feminine picture they make!
Tutu Through the Ages:Todayâs ballet tutu isnât the same tutu we see on our favorite Prima ballerinas. Remember, our ballerina friend back then wore a much longer tutu - thatâs the style! And then things changed, darling, oh, they really did!
The tutu weâve come to know, those tiny tutus we see on those strong ballerinas we know and love, didnât really become common until after the Romantic Era ended and the ballet entered the 20th Century. Of course, by the early 1900âs things were beginning to change, But that evolution happened gradually! And to get that image of ballet tutu evolution going, here is some ballet tutu history in bullet point form:
The Early 1800s: Long and Flowing: Remember, ballet started in court settings and court dances werenât about leaping, they were about formality and controlled grace. So, our dancers were in very long tunics which were quite like their clothing! A far cry from our tiny ballerina tutus, right?! But a stunning visual none the less.
The 1830s: The Tutu was Born!: This is exciting news, I think. As romanticism moved into ballet a âlighterâ more airy tutu evolved! But still quite long! These âRomanticâ ballerinas (we will talk more about them later on) began moving and dancing on the stage differently. They didnât just stand about, they used the space, which called for this ânewâ form! This, of course, allowed the new tutu shape to begin to emerge! Think poetry in motion but for your wardrobe!
The Late 1800s: The Real tutu is born! A transition happened slowly. And we started to get tutus we know and love! Think swirling, whipping around, dancing through the air. The iconic âtutuâ that is often just the tutu had its start. And we have this time period in ballet history to thank! I feel very grateful for this part of tutu history as I have been blessed to wear a real ballet tutu on several of my historical time travelling trips⊠oh darling, I truly feel the movement, the energy, itâs thrilling, my heart races, itâs pure excitement and happiness!
Do you know, while I was wandering the city, I had to drop in on a tea salon to have a little bit of tea and cakes! The dainty pastries looked almost as delicious as the fashion! Speaking of that, Iâll leave you all with an elegant, ballet-inspired style suggestion! This time of year - oh especially now with winterâs icy chill here in England- is for cozy elegance: Think a simple A-line skirt or an outfit made in delicate shades of ivory and beige and top it off with an amazing (oversized!) scarf! Oh! and I have to find that special vintage-style fascinator, something to really accentuate the style, you understand!
Okay darlings, thatâs all for now! I've got a ballet performance to catch! And let's not forget that extra vintage shop in Paris! Until next #TutuTuesday, keep twirling and dancing through your day! I do love seeing your fashion choices, and feel free to email in any questions to
Love always,
Emma
