Welcome to #TutuTuesday, darlings! This week, we're twirling back in time to a very special date – November 25th, 2014. That’s right, a whole 9 years ago! As a chronic time traveler with a serious passion for tutus (and all things pink, of course!), this week's historical jaunt was simply delightful.
Now, 2014 – a time when skinny jeans were still the rage, selfies were the norm, and everyone was obsessed with the latest "Frozen" singalong. I actually remember this year quite well! I managed to snag an absolutely fabulous pair of bright pink, sequined ballet shoes at the time, and I even managed to sneak into a street performance in a little cobbled Parisian courtyard. Just darling!
Speaking of darling, my tutu collection was already overflowing by 2014. Can you believe it? Honestly, tutus have been a wardrobe staple since I was little. But when I say "little," I mean I literally went back in time as a baby to witness the earliest origins of these beautiful garments! It was quite a sight.
Tututastic Travel: A Peek into the Past
The history of the tutu is, as I'm sure you'll agree, a rather fascinating one. I always love to hop in my trusty time machine (aka a rather chic vintage steam train) and travel back to its humble beginnings. You see, in 2014, most people weren't aware of just how long and interesting the story of tutus really was!
You know, way back when, those "romantic ballet" ballerinas wouldn't have even dreamed of a tutu like ours today. Instead, their outfits were often these long, trailing, heavy skirts that kind of, well, restricted their movement. You know what I mean? Not exactly perfect for pirouettes and arabesques.
But then, a very important person – and I’m being very dramatic here – changed everything: Marie Taglioni. The "Queen of the Ballet" in 1832, she was just a stunning dancer, and her outfit, which we would recognise as an early tutu, was a real sensation. Her shorter skirt was incredibly revolutionary – you can really feel that sense of change through my own "Time-traveling-through-fashion" sense of style.
It wasn't until later, right before 1850, when even more fantastic developments began! The 'tutu' as we know it today, came to be around the 1870s! Now this was something truly magical, a tutu revolution of a lifetime! They were shorter, fluffier, and much easier to move around in. Oh, darling, you can imagine my excitement when I went back in time to witness the debut of these lovely, beautiful fluffy ballet wonders.
Tututastic Shopping Spree!
Naturally, my travels to 2014 had to involve a shopping trip, didn’t it? I couldn't possibly time-travel back to this era without adding a few tutus to my already fabulous collection. It was a whirlwind!
The first place I had to hit was, of course, The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Such incredible dancers! Their tutus were stunning, a true showcase of the exquisite workmanship of that time. It was very inspiring to see the talent on display, not just from the dancers, but also from the ballet costumiers. Oh my! It felt as if every garment was a delicate piece of art, with so many fine fabrics and beads, it almost seemed that time stood still. You should really see those designs for yourself – maybe one day you’ll catch a show in London – perhaps you can even dress up! You know I think that's a brilliant idea. It’s all about channeling those ballet vibes – whether at a class or in the streets.
Oh, but there was a problem in 2014! I noticed the tutus weren’t the bright pink I love – oh, they had these more pale pink, almost ballet shoe kind of hues! So I had to hop back on my vintage steam train – as a proper fashionista always does!
Back in the future… the Present (Well, Sort of)!
Well, I’m so pleased you all love the Tutu Tuesdays – especially the ballet-inspired stories I find through my adventures. The reason this post is so special? It was about 9 years ago when the tutu got the world’s attention and then, everything, just changed. I felt a huge rush of joy then because a tutu just felt more and more mainstream. Now? I wear a pink tutu for everything – every occasion is my excuse to twirl, especially for our weekly ballet class in Derbyshire! We all wear them in fact. And we just adore our little group. All of our local Derbyshire villages go pink each Tuesday, for us! The locals have started taking it all so seriously too, from pink tea-time treats to tutu-inspired decorations, the community has embraced the charm. Who knows, maybe you’ll catch me twirling down the street when you come and visit us!
I would love to hear all about your tutu experiences. Do tell me everything in the comments below, darling. I'm all ears.
Until next #TutuTuesday, keep twirling and keep dreaming big, my dearest!
Emma x
P.S. You know what's absolutely perfect for a really fancy day? A gorgeous pair of pink high heels – or even pink trainers!
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #FashionTimeTravel #PinkEverything #LoveMyTutu #EmmaInTime #PinkTutuQueen
