Welcome back, darling dancers, to another episode of Pink Tutu Time Travels! This month, we're skipping back in time to the 4th of April 1863, a day that, while it may not have seen the world embracing the pink tutu phenomenon quite yet, held some delightful sartorial secrets worth uncovering!
As you know, I, Emma, am a Derbyshire girl at heart, a bit bonkers about all things ballet and fashion, particularly anything pink and sparkly! Oh, and I've got this magical, shimmery, pink leotard, you see, that whisks me off on delightful adventures through time!
This time, my travels landed me smack-dab in the heart of 1863, the Victorian era, a period that, much like today, was buzzing with fashion and a fascination with performance. My first stop? London, naturally!
Stepping off the Time Hopper (which is what I call my magical, leotard-clad journey), I found myself surrounded by bustling carriages, a charming mix of men in frock coats and ladies sporting those magnificent crinoline gowns! Honestly, darling, my first impression was a sense of pure whimsicality! It felt like a period drama set!
The Victorian Era was a golden age of ballet. Dancers were seen as some of the most admired women of society, their grace and elegance mirrored by their meticulously tailored costumes. Ballet became increasingly elaborate and showy, often using shimmering satin and intricate beading – quite a delight for a leotard enthusiast like myself, I must say!
Now, imagine my delight when I stumbled upon the grand Covent Garden Theatre. That’s where I caught a dazzling performance by the renowned Madame Augusta, a ballet superstar known for her beautiful, flowing movements.
As for the costumes – ah, so exciting! Imagine graceful figures swirling in layers of silk and tulle. And you know what was just heavenly – the colours! Think muted pinks and lilacs, soft yellows, and delicate blues. They might not have been as boldly pink as I like, but the era's romanticism resonated beautifully in the colours they chose.
After the show, a whirlwind tour of the city revealed so much more – Parisian fashion was setting trends, the latest ‘corset' silhouettes and elaborate bonnets were all the rage!
There wasn't a lot of what we'd recognise as ‘leotards’ in the traditional sense, but they did have the amazing "Basque" which was a stretchy, snug fitting body piece – so very leotard-esque! They were worn under dresses, giving women more freedom of movement. You've gotta hand it to them, they were clever!
Back at the Time Hopper, I pondered over the fashion world's embrace of change, just as I'm attempting to introduce pink tutus into our modern wardrobes. And you know what? We've made some amazing progress since the days of the Victorian Era. I've already met some inspiring dancers embracing the "pink tutu life" and sharing their stories online – which is exactly what I encourage you to do too!
So there you have it, darling! A peek into the 1863 world of ballet fashion, and an affirmation of the ongoing quest for movement and self-expression! Keep sharing your Pink Tutu Time Travels stories with me! Who knows, maybe we'll find ourselves together at the grand Covent Garden Theatre someday, strutting in our tutus and leotards, creating a timeless pink wave of fun and dance!
Now, darling, do let me know! Have you ever worn a pink tutu to a performance or a show? Tell us all about your adventures in the comment section!
Emma x
P.S. Don't forget, you can follow my adventures and share yours at www.pink-tutu.com We post every month, just like the moon, always shining a light on dance and leotard fun! Let's embrace the Pink Tutu movement together, darling dancers!
