#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1840-05-19

Bonjour mes chéries! Emma here, your ever-so-slightly pink-obsessed, tutu-twirling time traveller, back with another peek into the fascinating world of ballet history. Today, we're taking a grand tour of 1840s Paris, where the world of fashion, dance, and… you guessed it, tutus! were beginning to truly bloom.

Oh, and I’m wearing my favourite pale pink tutu today – perfect for travelling through time in, don’t you think? You can’t go wrong with pink, can you? You simply must all have at least one!

Now, back to our historical adventure! It’s 19 May, 1840 – can you believe it's been almost two centuries since this day? Time flies when you're a tutu-wearing, time-hopping fashionista! Let’s put on our thinking caps and imagine the streets of Paris bustling with life. You can practically smell the warm croissants, hear the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages, and see ladies dressed in beautiful gowns, complete with elaborate bonnets and shawls.

It’s a bit before my time (a good two decades to be exact), but let’s remember – this is where it all began. The 1840s were a golden age for ballet. We had some brilliant dancers taking the stage, and some seriously breathtaking designs. And wouldn’t you know it? This year marks the very first performance of La Fille mal Gardée, a charming, romantic ballet that tells the story of a young woman trying to defy her family’s wishes and marry the man of her dreams. Honestly, it’s a bit of a soap opera! But such beautiful costumes – those delicate silk tutus and whimsical, ruffled petticoats just call out to be danced in, don’t you think?

I imagine it was quite a spectacle! This ballet, known for its whimsical characterisations, is full of energy and excitement. Even I – as a huge ballet buff – was tempted to pop a quick stage jump right onto the boards of the Opéra Garnier in 1840 to join in the performance.

Speaking of performances, remember the famous, groundbreaking dancer, Carlotta Grisi, whose dazzling technique made her the “grande dame of the stage”? The year 1840 also saw the iconic Giselle premiere in the Paris Opera. Carlotta starred, captivating audiences with her phenomenal portrayal of a tragic village girl.

Imagine all the tutus in those performances! From the simple but stunning white ones for the Giselle corps de ballet to the more flamboyant designs in La Fille mal Gardée, it would have been a feast for the eyes.

And while these ballets may have a bit more dramatic storytelling than our modern performances – especially with a lot of angst about lovers meeting under the moon and having their hearts broken - they are undeniably beautiful to look at, even just for their gorgeous tutus alone. It’s no wonder that ballet and tutus, together, started to capture hearts across Europe, with the French as absolute pioneers, of course! They set the stage for all of us modern dancers, you see!

Tutu Style Evolution

Let's rewind a bit – just like how we all want to turn the clock back and revisit our favourite looks – to get a sense of the journey that tutus have taken to arrive on our modern stage. You might be surprised to hear that the ballerina costumes of the past didn’t always look the way we’re used to now.

Back in the day, the very early, rather… more utilitarian tutus (can we call them tutus? Hmm, debatable!) weren’t always flowing with fabric. The focus was on practicality! Think short, structured dresses with a single layer of tulle at the bottom, designed to highlight the dancer’s elegant form and make movements easier. And honestly? That’s quite practical. When I am travelling between times and hopping off trains at odd stations I wear a similarly styled skirt, even though my pink tutu would make me more of a talking point!

Thankfully, fashion designers quickly caught onto the magical possibilities of the tutu, bringing about the evolution from a mere garment to the quintessential symbol of ballet it is today.

The Magic of Tulle

Tulle, with its lightweight, airy elegance, soon stole the spotlight! Think layered, multicoloured tulle clouds that shimmered and swayed as dancers twirled and leapt. We're talking graceful lines, dreamy draping, and a look that’s as romantic as it is visually impactful.

Now, a little secret, because I always love to share insider secrets. In this era, there weren’t always the kinds of fabrics available that we take for granted today. They might use silk or cotton, often very intricately layered. And the finishing touch? Hand-sewn ruffles – talk about dedication to the craft! Oh, and I do wish there was more use of pink, personally! Just imagine a pale pink tutu twirling under the stage lights – breathtaking!

Beyond the Stage

As I travel through time, it’s become very clear: tutus have moved beyond the stage. We see their whimsical essence embraced by fashion designers. Now, tutus aren’t just for ballet; they’ve become an embodiment of joy and style for all sorts of occasions, especially weddings. Imagine the fairytale! I personally know several people who wore pink tulle gowns to their wedding. It’s just such an elegant and feminine touch!

Speaking of joy and style, let’s rewind our thinking hats and talk about our favourite historical fashion inspirations, ladies. We may not be able to replicate the exact styles of the 1840s because of different fashion silhouettes and even differing fabric types! But what a fun challenge to try. I think if you wanted to try a ballet-inspired look this week for an outing or shopping trip, you might want to pair a tulle skirt, like my pink tutu! Or perhaps even try a simple ballet top with tulle over it - maybe an embellished top? Oh, how delightful. Then, embrace those delicate fabrics and try your hand at making an effortless but elegant outfit – a true homage to the evolution of ballet’s enchanting look. Oh, I can’t wait to try my version next week and share it with all of you. I might even take a trip on a train - it’s a perfect excuse to try a look at a local railway station in a city centre! I’ve started thinking about my next Tutu Tuesday blog. You’ll have to tune in and find out all about what will come up!

And now my loves, I must rush off. The ballet bell is calling me to another performance. This time, it’s Giselle, so I simply cannot be late.

Until next #TutuTuesday, keep your spirits high and your tulle twirling! You can find my website and all the amazing pictures from my time travel exploits and ballet explorations on www.pink-tutu.com – don’t forget to leave a comment!

Love,

Emma