Wednesday 19th March 2025
Hello lovelies! 🩰✨
Emma here, back from a whirlwind week in Vienna, Austria, a city that stole my heart (and my sequins)! It's my 1559th blog post and oh my, Vienna has been a dream. It's filled with so much history, culture, and, of course, exquisite fashion. Plus, did I mention the beautiful buildings, the charming cafes, and the delicious strudel? It’s all about elegance and a touch of old-world glamour, and let’s face it, that’s my jam!
Vienna is a city that embraces both classic elegance and bold expression, and this definitely translates to the fashion scene! It was like a beautiful ballet performance, full of swirling colours, stunning details, and an overall sense of finesse. I even saw a couple of ladies in their own tutus (they had such lovely feathered boas!).
But first, let me tell you about my journey! I took a sleeper train from Prague. The best way to truly enjoy a place is to be in no hurry. I had such fun chatting with my fellow travellers. It was quite amusing when they asked me what the story behind my pink tutu was - you see, a girl can’t travel light when she has such exquisite style choices to consider! They were very kind and amused by my enthusiasm for the world of ballet and, naturally, my tutu.
After a good night's sleep on the train (you know, one with the softest pink blankets!), I arrived in Vienna. My accommodation is a small boutique hotel near the opera house. Let’s just say that’s where I spend a lot of my time… but more on that later!
Now, onto the magical parts.
Dancing with the Past: The Ballet of ViennaOf course, the main reason I came to Vienna was for its breathtaking ballet scene. From the very first moment, it’s clear this city has a long-standing love affair with dance. The State Opera House is an absolute masterpiece, a building of ornate beauty both inside and out.
This past weekend I went to a performance of "Swan Lake." I felt like I was stepping back in time. The choreography was elegant, the music filled the space, and the ballerinas – oh, they were breathtaking! I don’t think my heart stopped thumping for the entire show! The details in their tutus, the precision of their steps, it was truly magical. I have a whole sketchbook dedicated to the ballerina sketches I did during the performance - I can't resist. It's a mix of art and fashion I absolutely love.
Speaking of tutus… imagine my delight when I stumbled across the Vienna State Opera’s museum. A veritable heaven of ballet costumes! And there was this magnificent white tutu, from the first ever "Swan Lake," displayed under a glass case. I felt my eyes welling up, just thinking about the history attached to it - generations of ballerinas had danced in this very tutu. It gave me goosebumps. There were some very beautiful costumes too - it's interesting how much they have evolved throughout history!
Did you know that Vienna actually has a whole museum dedicated to ballet history? I couldn't resist having my photo taken in front of the most magnificent 19th-century pink tutu. (I may have snuck a spin for good measure!)
Fashion, Art, and More Strudel!Of course, Vienna is so much more than just ballet! The city has some of the most exquisite art galleries, from the classic art at the Museum of Art History to the modern pieces at the Leopold Museum. I could spend days browsing, soaking up the beauty and inspiring stories.
I also had to check out the Fashion Museum! It was an incredible insight into fashion history - with beautiful exhibits on couture, vintage styles, and contemporary trends. It’s so exciting to see how the love for beauty and aesthetics has transformed through the years, just like how ballet and its costumes have evolved! I felt like I was stepping into the pages of a fashion magazine!
You know, they say the way to a person's heart is through their stomach, and Viennese food is something to write home about! From the famous Vienna schnitzel to the heavenly Sachertorte cake, it’s a delicious journey for the senses. I have eaten SO MUCH strudel. There are definitely some serious calories going into my dance practice after this trip, that's for sure!
I think it’s so much fun to discover new restaurants, try traditional delicacies, and learn about the local culture. You see, for me, travel is about exploring not just landscapes, but also culinary experiences!
And then there’s the shopping! From the elegant boutiques to the vibrant flea markets, Vienna is a shopping paradise! The best find was this incredible antique shop - it had all sorts of amazing trinkets, vintage scarves, and even a genuine feathered boa. Imagine my delight when I found a gorgeous pink one to wear with my tutu! I just knew it would be the perfect addition to my travel wardrobe!
Embracing the EleganceVienna is a city that breathes elegance and class. You just feel a certain aura when you stroll through the streets, soaking up the magnificent architecture and enjoying the friendly ambiance. It's definitely one of the places where a girl in a pink tutu is quite welcome, which is wonderful, of course!
As for the “pink tutu” goal? I have to admit, the locals I've spoken to here love the idea! I’ve even been asked for outfit advice – how to embrace the pink and sparkle! A lovely baker told me he's actually considering trying a pink tutu to celebrate his daughter's ballet performance! It’s moments like these that remind me that the power of positivity and a sprinkle of playful fashion is truly infectious.
Next Stop: The Waltz!So, my loves, I'll be dancing my way through Vienna until the weekend, embracing the charm, exploring more beautiful locations, and, of course, shopping until my heart’s content!
But it wouldn't be a trip to Vienna without joining a waltz class. Imagine it! Dancing in my pink tutu to the tune of Strauss’s famous waltzes. The Viennese waltz is the perfect way to experience the city’s elegance and its unique rhythm! It will be a lovely finish to this trip, I'm sure.
Stay tuned for more pink tutu adventures in my next blog post, straight from Vienna. Until then, remember, never stop dreaming in pink, and keep your dancing shoes ready!
Lots of love, Emma 🩰✨