Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another fabulous trip through the fascinating world of tutus! Today we’re stepping back in time, hopping on the Orient Express, and whisking ourselves away to the year 1880! 🚂💖
It's Tutu Tuesday, and I’m absolutely bursting with excitement to share this peek into ballet history with you. We're going to be delving into the world of dance back when bustles were in fashion and a "leg split" was something you’d do in your trousers! 😂
As usual, I'm sporting my most fabulous pink tutu for this journey – a creation with ruffles upon ruffles and an extravagant, billowing train. You can imagine the stares I get as I float through the carriages, my tutu a beacon of flamboyant pinkness!
Right, enough about my amazing outfit (because you know I have to squeeze every ounce of glamour out of these trips!) and back to 1880…
Now, 1880 wasn’t necessarily a boom time for tutus. Oh, don’t get me wrong, they existed, they were beautiful, but they were still quite the rarity compared to the tutus we see today!
Imagine, darlings, the ballerina, perched delicately on the pointe, her satin slippers scraping the stage, dressed in a beautiful, but modest, tutu, made of a fabric as thin and delicate as cobwebs!
A far cry from the huge, cascading skirts we see on today’s ballerinas, right? Well, that’s just because the Victorian era was all about those grand, romantic ballets, filled with princesses and grand gestures, rather than the athletic, high-flying performances we love today.
So, what were dancers wearing back then? Well, they wore an elegant layer of tulle – oh so soft! – on a sort of leotard with a long, flowing skirt. It was modest, almost ethereal, a sort of romantic elegance. Think of it like the "first layer" of the modern tutus, darlings!
Now, on June 1st, 1880, I imagine it was a lovely, sunny day, maybe even a bit of a summer haze, perfect for a stroll in a park or an elegant garden party. I picture women in beautiful hats and men in stylish frock coats, maybe even a glimpse of a parasol or two!
The day would have been marked by a particular stillness, with carriages and horsedrawn carts rumbling through the cobblestone streets.
But oh, the theatre was buzzing with life, I bet! Imagine, perhaps a play, a bit of light opera, and even a hint of ballet, a glimpse of these elegant, modest, yet undeniably captivating dancers gliding across the stage. Oh, it makes me yearn for a glimpse of their world!
The costumes in the theatre world, I bet, were stunning! Perhaps a silk shawl, a flowing velvet gown, a gentleman’s dashing top hat – and of course, that gorgeous tutu shimmering on the ballerina!
And here’s a little tip from Emma to you, darlings! This time, you can find a simple white tulle skirt for your tutu and pair it with a vibrant silk top, think sapphire or emerald green for an elegant touch of colour. This would match the fashion of the era and give your look a hint of Parisian glamour. It's all about embracing those romantic ballet vibes! 💖
I have a feeling that my trip back in time is getting a little too nostalgic… let’s just say I’ve probably ordered a ridiculous amount of new tulle on this trip, and I need to reign myself in before my room looks like a giant tutu factory!
I must end my ramblings for now! As ever, keep spreading the pink, and until next Tuesday, darling. Remember, your tutu is your crown! 👑
XOXO Emma Pink-Tutu.com 💖
