Bonjour mes amies, and welcome to this week’s pinktastic edition of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! I’m Emma, your resident ballet-obsessed time traveller, and as usual, I’m so excited to share the fabulous history of tutus with you! Today, we're journeying back to the glorious era of 1852, to a place brimming with elegance and the whisper of romance: Paris!
Today’s journey took a rather fancy train ride (can't imagine why my darling Granny kept telling me train journeys were boring)! But I tell you, the thrill of speeding through the French countryside, especially with the Eiffel Tower peeking in the distance, it's simply delightful! My train carriage even had those beautiful velvet seats – you can imagine the glamorous ladies, gossiping over the latest Paris fashion!
What Makes a Tutu so Special?
So, what's on the agenda for this #TutuTuesday, you ask? Well, darling, it’s all about the tutu, of course! Today, we’ll be dipping our toes (in pink, naturally!) into the world of the Romantic era ballet. Think shimmering fabrics, beautiful swirling steps, and yes, those darling little tutus!
Paris, The Capital of the Ballet
Let’s set the scene. It’s 1852, and the Parisian ballet is flourishing. The ballet stage is the most sought-after destination for the biggest stars. It’s a dazzling spectacle of talented ballerinas gracing the stage with graceful elegance. But let's face it, one of the biggest stars on stage was the tutu!
This era was known as the 'Romantic' period, and it truly lived up to the name. This wasn't just a time for real romance, but for a whole aesthetic of romance - soft flowing music, dramatic stories and, oh, those fabulous tutus! Just imagine those wispy skirts swirling, delicate yet dynamic, evoking the image of the mythical sylph – a delicate airy spirit.
The Birth of the Tutu? Not quite.
It might surprise you, darlings, but this was not when the tutu was born, even though it's really starting to look like the tutu we know today!
While we did have little, flowing tutus before this date, we now start to see that dramatic Romantic period design, which has stayed with us to this day! These tutus started getting much, much shorter, allowing those ballerinas to showcase the spectacular and amazing movement that their feet and legs could manage. In this era, the tutus were already starting to look like that iconic 'bell-shaped' silhouette. They were often created from a very lightweight material like tulle, usually gathered into layers of frills. Imagine how ethereal those ladies must have looked in their fluttering, feminine tutus! Just delightful.
Let's talk Fabric
Talking of materials, 1852 saw a huge surge in popularity for a rather new fabric: silk gauze. It had everything you'd want in a tutu - lightness, drape, and oh-so-pretty. Silk gauze was like an amazing new discovery at this time, and they knew how to use it to full effect. Imagine a swirling, flowing ballerina wearing a gauze tutu in the heart of the Parisian theatre, dancing under the glow of a spotlight. Now that's the magic of this period!
Where to Spot these Divine TutUs?
Of course, where could one catch these amazing spectacles in the Parisian ballet of 1852? Well, I would suggest heading straight to the opulent Palais Garnier Opera House - the iconic opera house we all know and adore, and where they continue to put on incredible ballet shows.
Beyond Ballet...
Oh, and ladies, you might even find tutus peeking through in 1852's fashions - just not quite like the ballerinas. This was an age where everything about clothing was inspired by dance and the arts. They even began making ballet-like garments called basques, which was a sort of top made from beautiful lace, or silk with puffed, gathered sleeves - really feminine and stylish! They looked quite like a corset worn with a fuller skirt, but very soft and gentle, and oh so fashionable. It's like how you might have a top with ruffles and layers. And let me tell you, this was exactly the type of style that made this a fabulous era for dance lovers like myself.
What Would Emma Wear?
If I had been on the scene in 1852, I’d be channeling the ethereal look in the most pinktastic way possible, darling. Let’s imagine a tutu in a delicate blush pink or perhaps a vintage lavender tulle! But it needs to be a shade lighter than that. Imagine almost a shade paler than pink, with delicate lace embellishments! And then a soft bodice to complement the fluttering layers.
Of course, my lovely ladies, no ballet tutu history is complete without a slight dose of fashion advice. And since we're so obsessed with this era of elegant ballerinas, how about a nod to that romantic look? We're talking soft colors, lace accents, and beautiful, soft, feminine layers - and yes, it's perfectly fine to wear it to a dance performance or your favourite ballet class! You don't have to go all-out like a ballerina (although we love those, right?), but the overall romantic style just adds a hint of romance and Parisian chic to our own tutu outfits today!
#TutuTuesday is Here to Stay!
So, as we twirl our way into another week, my darling, don’t forget that #TutuTuesday is always here to share the love of all things ballet with you. Until next time, keep those tutus twirling, keep those spirits high, and remember, darling, we can all look absolutely incredible in pink tutus!
Love,
Emma
xxx
