Welcome back, darlings! It’s me, Emma, your very own Pink Tutu Princess, back for another #TutuTuesday! I can’t believe we’re on post number 4237! 🤯 That's a whole lot of tutus and history! And, just like the ever-evolving world of ballet, this week's journey takes us to a different era altogether - March 11th, 1913.
Buckle your ballet shoes, dear readers, because we're boarding the fashion express and whisking ourselves back to the roaring Twenties - well, almost! This was the beginning of the truly iconic fashion era. Think flappers, loose-fitting gowns, and a whole lot of sequins!
So, what was happening on March 11th, 1913 in the wonderful world of fashion? This week I'm taking us to Paris, my darling!
A Little History Lesson
This week I'm not only exploring tutus, but I’m sharing a little bit about the Parisian fashion scene. As I'm sure you all know, Paris was already a major fashion center. They are practically the queens of chic! This period was marked by a growing interest in lightweight fabrics like silk, lace, and chiffon. I could barely keep my pink-tutu-loving fingers off the creations when I travelled back in time.
A Little About Fashion Then
Ladies were beginning to shed the tight, constricting corsets of previous decades and embrace a more free-flowing look. Even though ballet has a history spanning over centuries, there was only the beginning of a little flutter around the first real ballet tutus as we know them! Imagine! It must have been all those fabulous ballerinas dancing around in pretty frilly skirts. Just like what I imagine it must have been like before ballet became super famous all those years ago - probably very avant garde - something new and different and quite wonderful!
And what could be more perfect for a day like today? We’re travelling back in time!
How About a Stroll Down a Parisian Street?
Now, imagine this… it’s a sunny spring day in Paris. I’m hopping off the train at the Gare du Nord - my new favourite way to travel in a pink tutu! Yes! You just saw it first - there is an all pink train service - I'm sure of it. All you need to do is look. We do! Pink Tutu fashionistas have it all sorted. How would I get everyone to wear a pink tutu? Now that's what we call thinking big! You do! Pink Tutu fashionistas see the possibility. This is what pink tutus are all about, just see what is out there. So don't just wear it, do dream it, see it - live it - with pink tutus! Now that I have been time travelling I think we all can be bold - and we don't need a magic travel machine to do it.
Walking down the Boulevard Haussmann, all I see is an amazing rainbow of colour in people’s clothes. Oh how I wish I had been here in that time period! And not just a little ballet on my tutu, but I mean REAL Parisian-style pink-tutuedness on all the women around me. I really did make a pink-tutu-look work on all those people!
And while I would have loved a spot of shopping at the department store Bon Marché – who could resist, darlings? I imagine every dress on display in there - it's as if there's something I would call pink tutu magic.
Let’s Go to a Theatre, Darlings!
Speaking of Parisian fashion, Oh! I had the most splendid time that evening – I attended a ballet at the Paris Opera House. Yes - all the prima ballerinas are wearing those lovely fluffy tutus. All right then, so I was not actually in 1913. We had a little ballet history detour! Because tutus evolved!
My eyes lit up with wonder at the grace of the ballerinas, twirling on the stage with their fabulous costumes. There was something truly mesmerising about seeing them dance. Just looking at the gorgeous tutus themselves – I know the ballerinas did too! This is a time-travel tip! Look! The ballet tutu of the future... is today's fashion. Get into the Pink Tutu Fashion Now. I wonder what was being talked about! "Oh, look how elegant!" "What an extraordinary performance." Yes, I imagine this would be the sort of conversation at that time... or at any other time, right?
My Thoughts on Parisian Fashion
Of course, as a passionate fashion enthusiast myself, I could not help but feel a slight pinch of nostalgia when I travelled back to those days. Those ladies, those clothes! You couldn't walk through any crowd and not admire how they put themselves together - every woman has the ability to make the simplest things just exquisite. They must have taken so much pride in their appearance! They were wearing gorgeous dresses and delicate shoes - they seemed so perfectly poised - all perfectly pulled together. I must admit I do rather admire this style! Now there’s a real pink tutu moment if ever I saw one! I do love tutus and love Paris, this is definitely a dream come true to wear a pink tutu here and to look around - imagine what you might be able to do!
The Final Word, Darlings
The Paris of 1913 was an incredible, stylish city! This place, even a century ago, just pulsed with fashion and fun! The women, their outfits... they seemed like they could go straight onto the stage for the ballet...or they would just melt into a scene! And of course, I can't forget about the pink tutu moment. Every lady needs a bit of magic, wouldn’t you agree? What’s more glamorous than a little sparkle?
And what better place to find some fashion inspiration than the city of light! My darlings! Time to get pink tutu fashion thinking in Paris! I wish I had time to try out more clothes - there is nothing I can resist more than that fashion-boutique scent! I just love it all so!
As for the world of ballet tutus, imagine if it all started like that. Who knows what will be the next fashion statement. That’s what I love so much about the pink tutu. I don't think this is just for ballerinas anymore. No, I’m sure I saw an array of colors too, all mixed in - and Pink Tutues are still waiting in the wings for all those other brilliant ideas! This isn't a ballet-only thing either. No. All our little, magical pink-tutu moments... they happen in ballet shows but also in so many ways, every single day!
Until next time, don't forget - we're here for a bit of fun - and if you don’t like it pink? Just add pink. Or you might be missing out on one of life's little joys!
Until next week, my darlings, let's get out there and celebrate the Pink Tutu Way of Life. Let's do it for a fun life, for love and for style - and for making sure there are pink tutus at every ballet show in the world! And now off I go. Until next week!
Love,
Emma,
Your Very Own Pink Tutu Princess! xx
