Oh, my darlings! It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means: another fabulous Pink Tutu Vienna blog post! This week, my adventures have taken me to the most magnificent of cities: Vienna, the heart of classical music, the waltz, and – gasp! – beautiful, beautiful tutus!
Now, my loves, you know me and my love of tutus! It’s practically my mission in life to get every single person in the world wearing one! It doesn’t matter what colour – though personally, I have a special fondness for pink – or what style! I’ve even got a little pink tutu-wearing friend back home in Derbyshire who’s on board with the cause, and it’s all thanks to this blog, you wonderful bunch!
So, naturally, arriving in Vienna was like entering a fairytale. The architecture is breath-taking, all grand palaces and cobblestone streets. Even the horses pulling the carriages looked like they were wearing tiny pink tutus! Don’t laugh! Just imagine the sheer joy of a magnificent black stallion adorned in a fluffy, girly pink tutu… The juxtaposition! The sheer visual delight!
Anyway, enough about tutus for a moment! This trip, my darlings, has been a total sensory overload!
A Symphony of Delights:The very first thing that caught my eye in Vienna, even before the grand architecture, were the cafes! Oh my, the pastries! So much delicate icing and sweet fillings, and don't even get me started on the cakes! Every afternoon was spent sipping steaming hot Viennese coffee and enjoying these delectable treats in a little cafe, soaking up the ambiance, feeling all delightfully sophisticated. It felt like stepping right out of a historical drama film, the kind with those dashing heroes who look so charming in their velvet coats, and heroines with beautiful long skirts who swirl around with such elegance – like graceful swans! I even saw a street performer outside a cafe who looked a bit like a character straight from a ballet, twirling in a lovely pale green dress! Of course, I had to join in!
Ballet at the Vienna State Opera
Speaking of ballet, darling, my dear friend from Paris (you know, the one who got me a little tutu-themed travel mug with a dancing ballerina!) told me I simply had to see a show at the Vienna State Opera. I knew what to do immediately, naturally. I booked two tickets: one for my friend, and one for yours truly – in my lovely pink tutu! (She looked amazing in her fabulous emerald green gown, darling. A perfect colour for her green eyes.)
I am truly speechless about the experience. It was everything I’d ever dreamed of and more. I felt like I was transported to another world, surrounded by all that stunning décor and music that sent shivers down my spine! The dancers, the choreography, the sheer feeling of it all… You’ll just have to trust me, it was incredible! Even the ballet itself, which I won’t tell you the name of because you must see it for yourselves! – had scenes where I could actually picture myself dancing in a sparkling pink tutu on a stage, twirling and spinning, gracefully jumping. Just… utterly divine, darlings!
Fashion in Vienna: Tutus & Trends
And then, my loves, the shopping! That is always an exciting adventure! But honestly, Vienna has some of the best vintage shops I’ve ever been to, full of gorgeous items and fabulous fabrics. And of course, some of them had those vintage ballerina outfits, tutus and all, and even silk tutus from years and years ago! I felt like I’d stepped right back in time, back to the golden age of ballet! I bought a little lace tutu for myself, the sweetest little pale pink number, with layers and layers of tulle – so delicate, yet perfect for whirling around.
Speaking of whirling around, darlings, you know me and my penchant for matching my clothes to the local colour scheme. It seems that pink is truly a global colour! Even in Vienna, darling! Of course, I found a beautiful pink shop (one of many!) filled with vintage accessories: a beautiful, pale pink vintage handbag with sparkling stones on it, perfect for all my fancy outings in this amazing city, and even a sweet pink tiara with sparkling jewels. The ultimate compliment to a pink tutu, darling.
Discovering Ballet's Past: Dancing Through History
One afternoon, after a scrumptious strudel, I found myself wandering around one of the beautiful squares, and bumped into a charming fellow. We struck up a conversation, which quickly led to talking about the beautiful, iconic ballet shows of Vienna. This dear fellow, who was surprisingly an expert on all things tutu, invited me to the Vienna State Ballet Archives. What an amazing journey, darling!
I was able to trace the history of the tutu back centuries, seeing designs and sketches from different periods, how they were created and crafted. I learned that real silk was used, hand-stitched for months to make each one, and there were several variations to suit different performances! The attention to detail and craftsmanship was awe-inspiring, truly. I found myself dreaming about all the amazing tutus throughout history, from the graceful swirls of Marie Taglioni to the elegance of Anna Pavlova. Each dancer a breathtaking muse in their own right! It just showed how ballet history is so deeply intertwined with the history of the tutu, and each little tutu itself, just a tiny part of this vast story, this grand dance of beauty.
But wait, darlings! There’s more!
The next day, I had a delightful encounter at the lovely Wiener Staatsoper itself! A group of ballerinas had organised a “Dance Through History” workshop, showcasing a selection of famous and historic ballets and their specific tutu designs. We all got to learn how to dance in them, and let me tell you, it’s not as easy as it looks! The weight of those gorgeous, heavy tutus, the delicate silk, and all that intricate lace, it truly is a different feeling!
They even gave me a demonstration on how to properly twirl with all those layers. Let me tell you, darling, it’s not as simple as just giving it a whirl! You have to have specific movements to make those gorgeous layers swish perfectly, and it's just mesmerizing to watch. It took all of my control, darling, not to pull out my own pink tutu and twirl with them! The other ballerinas were lovely – so gracious and patient, teaching me the secrets of their trade, so to speak. It was truly magical!
Horse-drawn Adventures Through ViennaAnd speaking of magical, darlings! Vienna is the perfect city for enjoying those quaint horse-drawn carriages that make me feel like a princess straight out of a fairytale! Of course, I made sure my outfit matched the theme – and what better than my pink tutu, which just flows so gracefully as the carriage rumbles along, my skirt billowing behind me! My dear Parisian friend (who looks like she could have been a princess in a past life) also had on a beautiful blush-pink dress that caught the wind like a petal. Oh, the pictures we took together – absolutely divine, just like stepping out of a vintage movie!
The carriages even go down this little alleyway, lined with the most beautiful pastel coloured buildings – all soft hues of pink, lilac and lavender, perfect for photos. Honestly, dear, Vienna has so many charming little alleyways, hidden squares, and beautiful bridges, I haven’t even been able to explore everything in just one week. You know what that means! I will most definitely have to come back, my darlings.
Final Thoughts: A Tutu-tastic Goodbye
It has truly been an extraordinary trip, filled with so many wonderful moments: delicious treats, grand operas, fascinating historical sights, shopping that has truly filled my closet with beautiful vintage finds, and so much beauty, grace, and joy! I truly feel like this journey has given me so much inspiration, so many wonderful memories and ideas for future tutus and outfits. Honestly, my dear darlings, it just feels so good to embrace life and embrace what you love.
As I wave goodbye to this magical city, I take with me the rhythm of the waltz, the magic of ballet, and a new-found appreciation for the simple pleasures – like sipping coffee in a quaint cafe, a stroll through a beautiful garden, a little ballet performance, a grand show, and of course, a tutu-ful of fashion inspiration.
Stay tuned, my loves! Next week, we’re taking on another fabulous adventure! Where will our pink tutus take us next?
And remember, my dears, never be afraid to put on a pink tutu and twirl around – the world is your stage!
Until next time!
Yours in all things tutu,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
