Hello darlings! Emma here, back from another exhilarating journey through time, my pink tutu practically vibrating with excitement from the sights and sounds of 1921 Paris! Oh, the fashion, the theatre, the ballet – my heart just couldn't contain all the loveliness. And speaking of loveliness, this week, it’s time for a little #TutuTuesday history!
You see, I’m obsessed with tutus! They're so feminine, so whimsical, so utterly charming! They make me feel like a fairy, a ballerina, a vision of pink delight! (Speaking of pink, my dear friends, why isn't everyone embracing the magnificent colour?! It truly does make one feel simply glorious!) But alas, tutus haven’t always been the fabulous, frothy, full-skirted wonders we know and love. It’s a story I adore recounting, so get comfy, pour yourself a cup of something delightful, and let me whisk you away to the origins of this darling dancewear!
Now, imagine a time – shock, horror – without tutus! Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Back in the 1800s, ballerinas, my sweet dears, were far less whimsical! They wore long, restrictive skirts, their movement rather… inhibited! Imagine attempting a grand jeté in all that fabric – oh, the nightmare!
Enter, Marie Taglioni, the ethereal dancer who changed ballet forever! (Such an inspiration – she also always seemed to travel in beautiful shades of blush and peach! Definitely a lady with excellent taste, indeed!) In 1832, she graced the Parisian stage in a groundbreaking outfit: a single layer of tulle, soft and shimmering, with only a modest bodice. It was revolutionary! Light and airy, it allowed ballerinas to express their grace with newfound freedom, giving flight to every turn and jump. A masterpiece of design that gave birth to the tutu we know and love today!
However, our dearest tutus were still in their youth in 1921. During this era, tutus were gaining even more volume! It was a grand time for ballerinas – the romantic era was in full swing. And what’s more romantic than billowing, voluminous tutus? We're talking layers and layers of delicate tulle! Now, I understand, you may be thinking: 'Oh my, how much tulle was there?' Well, my dears, I can't give you an exact number. However, I assure you, it was glorious! And it danced gloriously! They danced them for both classical ballet and dramatic ballets too! I hear it was even a craze to have a large skirt – it wasn’t just reserved for the dancers anymore! Imagine, dear readers! My heart truly swoons.
Here in Paris, even as the theatre lights are illuminating another ballet performance on this fine Tuesday evening, the scent of perfumes fills the air. The buzz of excitement is palpable. The chatter and laughter – oh, this vibrant city knows how to celebrate the arts, and how to dress in a wonderfully decadent, bold and beautiful fashion! They’ve embraced a vibrant range of colours this evening – so elegant, so daring – with the pink of course making its majestic mark.
The tutus of 1921 are getting more colourful too – they aren’t just the pure white anymore! Now, while the pale pastel pinks are making an excellent impression (and, I assure you, will always have my heart), the use of other colours is bringing so much to the scene! My friends, it's an enchanting explosion of style!
But, enough of the dazzling city of lights and my current trip! Let's journey back to our present (and for now, we'll consider it present!) What have we learned?
Tutus, darlings, are a story of evolving fashion, of creative artistry, and a constant pursuit of grace. From those first hesitant steps to the grand finale, we’ve come a long way. But one thing remains constant: the tutu is still the quintessential garment of a ballerina, the ultimate expression of lightness and feminine charm. So let’s keep celebrating them, my sweet darlings! Let’s keep wearing them, loving them, dancing in them! Because tutus, at their very core, represent dreams of beautiful movement, whimsical charm, and… well, just an abundance of pink delight. Now, I wouldn’t say it is a rule, but if you’re thinking about going out in your tutu - my dear friend - maybe wear the colour pink. Because we must never forget, as the saying goes: 'Everything is prettier in pink!'
Now, excuse me, dear friends! I have a grand, full, voluminous, fluffy, tulle skirt waiting for me – and an upcoming ballet performance to dance in. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for more delightful historical posts about tutus, dancing, and the lovely pink outfits I've found! Happy Tutu Tuesday!
