Hello darling tutu lovers, and welcome to another delightful adventure on www.pink-tutu.com! This month, my magical pink time-travelling leotard whisked me away to a most charming era – the 18th century in France! It was a trip that absolutely danced its way into my heart.
You might think a tutu would have stuck out like a sore thumb in the 1700s, but oh, darling, think again! It all depends on the kind of tutu, now doesn’t it?
I found myself, quite unexpectedly, right in the heart of Paris. The cobblestones sparkled under my sparkly pink leotard, and the air hummed with the clatter of carriages and the chatter of elegant Parisians.
As I ambled through the charming squares, I spotted a captivating sight: the dancers at the Opéra de Paris! Imagine, my dears, women wearing full-length skirts with billowing hoops that floated around them with every graceful movement. It was a style that perfectly reflected the opulent fashions of the time – all frills and lace, just like a delicious French pastry!
Now, darling, this is where our beloved tutu comes into play. The costumes of the ballerinas at the Opéra, though beautiful, were remarkably impractical for serious dancing. They had layers upon layers of heavy fabric that would have made it nigh impossible to pirouette and leap.
This got me thinking about the origin of our darling tutus. A truly delightful thought – did the designers of the Opéra try a tutu for dancing in those early days? I wonder how they felt twirling in that glorious swirl of layers! Perhaps one of the most beloved elements of a tutu – its airy and airy ease - is something that has always appealed to us.
Instead of tutus, these early ballerinas wore elegant skirts of silk or satin – they were more than capable of expressing their grace and artistry. It wasn't until the early 19th century, my darlings, that a famous dancer, Marie Taglioni, revolutionized the ballet world with her use of a short, tulle skirt – our beloved tutu in its earliest form. Imagine that - the tutus we wear today, those dazzling pieces of ballerina fashion – can be traced all the way back to 19th century France.
After admiring the performances at the Opéra, I ventured further into the bustling streets of Paris, looking for leotard fashion trends. Now, darling, the 18th century may have lacked our colourful tights, but they were still the masters of stylish dressing.
I spied a lovely boutique brimming with luxurious fabrics - satins, silks, and velvets - perfect for fashioning a captivating leotard. They were the inspiration for some lovely, flowing leotards back in the day, my dears, before tights became popular in the 20th century. Imagine these delightful leotards, crafted with soft satins and silks and perhaps a hint of lace - they were worn as underwear for gentlemen of the time. You can still see echoes of that in modern fashion - think about elegant silks for a modern, sensual dance outfit!
Of course, in the 18th century, you'd never see a ballet dancer in street clothes, darling! Ballet was strictly an art form, not a way of life as it is today!
But you know me – I can’t resist a little street dancing! With the spirit of the Opéra de Paris burning bright, I found a beautiful spot with a cobbled pathway. Then I danced, oh my darling, I danced, right there on the street. People stopped, mesmerized by the whirl of pink and the glint of sequins. Perhaps, I wondered, a street dance in Paris of the 1700s would have been an event worthy of an evening's gossip.
But alas, it was time to return to my own era. With a flick of my magical leotard, I was back in my cosy home in Derbyshire. Though the Parisian opulence was far away, it left a little of its sparkle with me. Oh my, you simply can't resist the allure of history, can you?
Now, darlings, let's talk leotard fashion trends for August 2017! As we bid a fond farewell to summer, fashion seems to be doing the same! Ballet outfits are turning to autumnal colours. A delightful mix of browns, rusts and even a hint of green is appearing in many of my favourite dancewear brands!
This season also sees the return of the beloved "mock turtleneck" leotard, which offers a lovely balance of comfort and sophistication. There are also many fabulous styles of sleeved leotards appearing in a variety of vibrant colours – the ideal leotard to complement a warm-toned ballet outfit.
As for my favourite new tutu acquisition? This month, it's a breathtaking multi-layered tutu from my favourite brand. It shimmers with pink and silver sequins in a playful design, capturing the essence of this summer's Parisian enchantment!
That's all for this month, my dear readers! Be sure to join me again next time, when we embark on another thrilling time-travel escapade in a sparkling pink leotard! Until then, keep dancing, keep twirling, and remember – if you can dream it, you can wear it!
Stay bright and beautiful, darlings!
Emma, www.pink-tutu.com
