#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1850-05-07

Hello my darlings!

It's your favourite tutu-loving, time-traveling Emma back again with another whirlwind tour of ballet history. I’ve been jetting through the decades this week and landed right in the heart of the 1850s – a time when the dance world was taking some seriously exciting steps!

My vintage tutu is feeling especially chic today, and the pink is the perfect shade to compliment this week’s journey! And as always, let me tell you, London is the place to be!

You might not think tutus had a major presence in the ballet world yet in 1850. But the iconic fluffy, full skirts we all adore are starting to blossom, and I’ve come to tell you all about it. It's all a bit of a revolution in the world of ballet!

Before the Tutu, What?

Well, back in the day, ballerinas weren't swirling in delicate tutus. Instead, they were adorned in more traditional attire: floor-length gowns with lots and lots of frills and ribbons, reminiscent of a delicate rose garden in a soft and billowing way, but definitely a lot less “whirl” and a lot more “flow.”

Honestly, if you ask me, they were all a bit too fancy for all the energetic, captivating moves I adore. But I have to say, that era really captured beauty and the elegance of ballet as a serious art form! But it is quite clear what would come next was simply waiting to happen...

The First Glimpses of the Tutu!

Think of tutus like the first blossom in spring: delicate and exciting. Well, the tutu we know and love is slowly starting to bud in this decade, and believe me, it is definitely a sign that change is in the air!

You might be surprised to know that the ballet world was just starting to adopt shorter skirts – like the classic, tiered skirts of Romantic ballets. I am absolutely tickled pink by this little bit of history - I adore a beautiful layered tutu!

But let’s be honest, they aren’t quite the billowing tutu clouds we see today. The idea was really more to show off those lovely dancing legs, and maybe for some airy pirouettes, but not much else.

An End to the “Stiffness" of Ballet

What makes this moment in history really fascinating is that these little changes to dance attire started to move ballet away from the classical style, which was all about stately and restrained elegance. That’s not to say I don't enjoy a beautiful stately ballet! It’s just that the dancers back then needed lots of strength, so movement was a little... let’s be polite, formal (though to me that is like a beautiful sculpture!).

With these first tutus coming in, it really allowed the ballet to be more free! I always imagine the choreographers wanting to express lightness and freedom with their dancing, which is really important. It’s such an exhilarating contrast from the classic “stiffness” of ballet back then!

And with the introduction of these revolutionary little garments, it is like a symbol for ballet's growth. Imagine if there was no more experimentation, no more innovation. Where would we be, dear readers? Would I have all these fantastic tutus in my time travelling closet? I daresay not.

My Favourite Ballerinas from this Era

It’s impossible not to be smitten with the elegant figures of dancers like Fanny Cerrito and Carlotta Grisi! They weren’t just breathtaking performers, they were real style icons too! Their influence on fashion, particularly within the ballet world, has left a legacy of stunning and influential dress design!

Even with the very first glimpses of the iconic tutu emerging in the ballet world, those two legendary dancers embraced the delicate, airy fashions that really defined the decade! Their movement in those first “short skirts” would have been absolutely enchanting!

Back to the Future

You can trust me - my vintage tutu is tingling with excitement about all the dance moves that will develop thanks to the tutu. We're talking leaping, swirling, and spinning, ladies and gents!

The history of ballet is like a beautifully spun story about fashion and innovation - each twist and turn is a joy to discover.

It's Tuesday, so it’s tutu time! Let’s go to a show and see all the lovely swirling twirling going on. If you want to follow my travel blogs, be sure to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com and take a peek! Until next week, darlings, have a truly twirling day!

Love and Tutus!

Emma